I fished the Buckeye BFL for 2 years as a non boater before going to the boater side. It was a great experience for me. I had only fished out of a boat for bass like 2 times before fishing as a coangler, I learned a ton. Most guys are great to fish with, but every once in awhile you'll have a bad experience, but all in all its a great circuit to fish, a great way to learn and make new friends.