Being A Bassmaster Marshal?

[Sore Thumbs]

I signed up to be a marshal for the BASS Elite series tournament on Bull Shoals in April. Just wondering if anyone here has done it and how their experience was? I figured it would be a great way to learn something and really get into these guys heads and see how the break down a lake during a tournament. Thanks for any input.

[motoman]

Good post sore; I'd like to hear the responses too.:-)

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I know on other message boards; the guys who have done it say its the best money they've ever spent. Even if the pros are not real talkative; I've heard it's a great learning experience.

[woodyb]

Not the Elite series, but I did get to ride in the PAA in 2011 at TR. Rode with Mike McClelland day one, Tommy Martin day two, and David Nichol day three. All 3 were great to go with and it was well worth the money. Learned that they use the same jigs, spoons, rods, reels, and line, as everyone else but they pay attention to the small details that I never noticed until then. Would do it again if they brought back the observers instead of co anglers.

[Sore Thumbs]

This might be off color but what the hell does someone do if they have to drop a duece? I'm so afraid i'm gonna have to go to the bathroom during the day that i'm considering starving myself so that won't be an issue. I'm looking forward to it. I hope it is money well spent.

[moguy1973]

Sit on the live well and drop it in there

[Sprint21fter]

Wear DEPENDS!

[Guest]

I've fished as a co-angler in the past. I had the same concerns, but the pros have dealt with this before. They will run you to the nearest bathroom. It's up to you to know where the closest area is located to where they're fishing. That way it doesn't waste a bunch of time. Don't worry about it. I can tell you that talking too much is they're biggest pet peive.

[motoman]

I think that's a completly legit concern there sore. I know the couple times I was a co-angler over the years; I only ate and drank 'predictable' foods the day before; and kept it light; to avoid some kind of unholy-franken-dump on tourney day. :-)

[abbfish]

I was selected for the Bull Shoals tournament this past April and just got drawn again for next April. It was an awesome experience. I got to ride with Matt Greenblat, Pete Ponds, and Mike Iaconelli. Unfortunately, they were all doing the same thing, throwing a shallow water crankbait. I'm hoping the conditions are different next year. I have a cabin on the BSL, so I wanted to learn all I could. They were all very nice. Ike was nice, but very serious, it was day 3. The boat rides were crazy. I took a Pepto to stop me up, because I was afraid of the same thing.

[amboyduke]

I have not been a B.A.S.S. Elite Marshal but have been a co-angler and observer at a few PAA events. It is a great experience and you will learn alot just watching the pro fish. You will see why they are so much better than the average tournament angler in the way they locate fish and present their baits. Depending on who you draw, they may or may not be very talkative. I wouldn't ask alot of questions at first and you will get a feel if they want to talk and reveal any information or just concentrate on fishing. Some will share and others don't want to talk at all. Pack lightly, bringing a lifejacket, rainsuit and minimal snacks, drinks. Most will let you use their cooler. Always be prepared to put on your lifejacket and be ready to go when the pro is ready. They will usually give you notice that they will make a couple more casts before going to the next spot and that is your signal to get ready. I wouldn't eat a large Mexican meal and drink a bunch of beer the night before, treat it like a tournament you were going to fish, I don't think you will have any issues. The marshal program will put a little more responsibility on you to make sure the pro abides by all rules but the main thing to remember is be ready and stay out of their way when they are fighting a fish. It will be a great experience for you although after a few hours you will be wishing you could fish with them.