FLW Co-Angler - What Would You Do?

[Quillback]

12 minutes ago, BrowningCollector.com said:

I have been fortunate in who I've drawn over the years. Nearly all were great to fish with and I enjoyed the day/s. Central Pro-Am back in the Ernie days and Heartland both had good folks fishing with them. My first time as a co-angler........I was 3 feet from a bluff wall for 6.5 hours was back 25-26 years ago in a late February CPA on TR. The air temp that a.m. was 18°.  

We ran (77 mph no console for the passenger) from Kimberling to above the Shell Knob bridge.  When we finally stopped, I could have cared less about fishing.  My first concern was for frost bite and wondering how many toes and fingers I was going to lose.  The "pro" I fished with refused to give me any info of where or how the evening before because it was a big secret.  I thought I was well prepared. One of the longest days on the water EVER. Neither of us caught a fish that day.  I should have known when Ernie paired us up at the then Hill Billy Bowl..... the entire room erupted in laughter.  I was young and dumb, yet wondered why they laughed.  I found out the next day!  Overall, I have been fortunate and enjoyed fishing from the back even when the "pro" wasn't on anything. 

That's funny, but I sure would not have liked that run in that cold.

Just curious, what was the "secret"?

[Browning Guy]

Stick baits on channel swings above Shell Knob bridge. Shouldn't even be telling you now.....BECAUSE IT'S A SECRET! Man that day sucked.

[Champ188]

Sorry you had to endure that, BC. And I'm glad the jerk didn't catch a fish all day.

But as you pointed out, thankfully, not all boaters treat their co-anglers like that.

[huntest]

I have had mixed experiences (good and bad) fishing various tournaments as a co-angler. In defense of most "pros" they are under intense pressure to "get a check." They are not there to serve up concierge services and accommodate the co-angler. This sport is expensive and most "pros" have a harsh economic situation.

I think the most you can ask for is a pleasant attitude and decent communication. 

 

[Terrierman]

On ‎11‎/‎7‎/‎2016 at 9:04 AM, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Beer

Whiskey.

[Hammer time]

Champs comments are very commendable and worthy, but huntest makes a great point.

These pros have a short window of making it or not. The pressures of producing for themselves, sponsors and family is tremendous. So if it was me in the back, I would fish different depths than the pro with different baits as many have mentioned.

[Gavin]

Thinking knock the douche in the drink.

[Terrierman]

34 minutes ago, Terrierman said:w

Whiskey.

By the way, Whiskey is my dog.  We would hang out in the back and just watch and hand out water and stuff.

[Champ188]

52 minutes ago, Hammer time said:

Champs comments are very commendable and worthy, but huntest makes a great point.

These pros have a short window of making it or not. The pressures of producing for themselves, sponsors and family is tremendous. So if it was me in the back, I would fish different depths than the pro with different baits as many have mentioned.

Well, I should clarify that I was never looking to advance past the regional level. If you are fishing to pay your light bill and put shoes on your kids' feet, you better not feel one bit bad about front-ending your back seater.

Co-anglers know going in that they are fishing leftover water. So is every other co-angler in the event, and that's why there are two divisions --- pro and co. As soft as I was about sharing fruitful water, I did have to remind a couple of guys that they were not entitled to throw over my line or (much) past the center line of the boat. In fact, I came very close to bringing one back to the dock in a Central Pro Am event on Table Rock. First thing that morning, we were unable to run to my river fish because of fog. So the little twerp tells me he has a spot close by. We get there, I go to the front and drop the trolling motor, then I look thru the bushes (it was a flood year) and there is Dave Barker, who my guy had fished with the day before. I turned around and asked him, "Is this where you and Dave fished yesterday?" He says yep, like there was nothing wrong with taking me to Mr. Barker's spot. Fortunately, I didn't make a single cast and got out of there as quickly as I could . Aside from the ethical issue, it was strictly against CPA co-angler rules for him to reveal to me another boater's fishing spots or techniques.

Next, I had to take his hung over butt back to Ahoy's before he crapped his pants. By then, the fog was breaking and we were able to run up the river. For the first two hours, he continually threw in front of the boat, even over my line at times. Finally, after asking him repeated times to stop, I put him dead against the bank for an hour and when I tried treating him decent again at our next stop, he had miraculously learned some manners.

[Hammer time]

20 minutes ago, Champ188 said:

Well, I should clarify that I was never looking to advance past the regional level. If you are fishing to pay your light bill and put shoes on your kids' feet, you better not feel one bit bad about front-ending your back seater.

Co-anglers know going in that they are fishing leftover water. So is every other co-angler in the event, and that's why there are two divisions --- pro and co. As soft as I was about sharing fruitful water, I did have to remind a couple of guys that they were not entitled to throw over my line or (much) past the center line of the boat. In fact, I came very close to bringing one back to the dock in a Central Pro Am event on Table Rock. First thing that morning, we were unable to run to my river fish because of fog. So the little twerp tells me he has a spot close by. We get there, I go to the front and drop the trolling motor, then I look thru the bushes (it was a flood year) and there is Dave Barker, who my guy had fished with the day before. I turned around and asked him, "Is this where you and Dave fished yesterday?" He says yep, like there was nothing wrong with taking me to Mr. Barker's spot. Fortunately, I didn't make a single cast and got out of there as quickly as I could . Aside from the ethical issue, it was strictly against CPA co-angler rules for him to reveal to me another boater's fishing spots or techniques.

Next, I had to take his hung over butt back to Ahoy's before he crapped his pants. By then, the fog was breaking and we were able to run up the river. For the first two hours, he continually threw in front of the boat, even over my line at times. Finally, after asking him repeated times to stop, I put him dead against the bank for an hour and when I tried treating him decent again at our next stop, he had miraculously learned some manners.

Very well acknowledged! When your livelihood is on the line you can not blame these pros.

I believe this is the main reason that the Elite series or BASS has eliminated the co- angler, takes the co-angler completely out of the picture!

The pros make all decisions right or wrong and don't have a consense to worry about if they gave the co- angler some space!