New Co-Angler With 2 Questions

[TxHawgs]

First is tackle bag sz, what's appropriate and what's not? I have only fished one tourney with our club and everyone we switch to a different boater. My first one I took my BPS extreme qualifier 360 and it didn't carry as much as I wanted. I have a BPS xps stalker front loader and would rather take that but don't know if it's too much and would make someone mad it's 20×15×12 it would just be that my rods and rain gear in a little sack. Next rods how many is normal to take? I would be happy with 6 I guess.

[Catt]

Most important, stay organized!

I've had guys with less tackle but it was every where, could have thrown it & them overboard easily!

[Bluebasser86]

I use to always take a bag that carried 6 3700 boxes and up to 6 rods. I found that following the KISS rule helped me a lot as a co-angler.

[Montanaro]

I take a bag that holds 4 3700 and a soft plastics bag.

I take 4 rods as most boats struggle holding 6 when going down lake. Then there is extra line and reel handles tangling.

[speed craw]

I personally use a plano guide series 3700 tackle bag . I do not use 3700 containers as I have found I scan pack up much more tackle using the 3600 series boxes , I can store 11 boxes inside with 1 full size 3700 on the back or you can use 2 3600 boxes in the back and one large 3700 terminal tackle storage up top. I can store much more tackle than I did before when I used a full size 3700s . However I have my boxes dialed in per what item I am looking for . You can store a ton of tackle but if its a mess its more time haggling with your stuff instead of fishing. I also use the soft plastic bags instead of using plano boxes , much more efficient .

[Felix77]

My baag holds 4 3600 Plano boxes and everything else I need. I generally fish 5 to 7 rods depending on the circumstances.

The most important thing is to stay organized. That way when its time to move you waste very little time packing up for the run.

[TxHawgs]

Thanks guys

[WIGuide]

As a boater I could care less on how much you bring as long as you can keep it out of the way. I don't want to be tripping over it going from the front deck to the console. Like other said, keep it organized. I wouldn't take more than 6 rods. 

[Mike L]

I fish in a lot of tournament's and have gone through at least 3 different bags trying to find the "perfect" one that would carry all my stuff and not be too big. I've settled on the Flambeau AZ8.

They are not as wide or long as many others, just a little taller which won't take up as much space..

It holds 6 3700 size boxes, has all the right compartments in all the right places for me and have never been told or even been implied that it was too big. The AZ6 and AZ4 are a little smaller.

As far as rods go I ALWAYS ask my boater if it's ok to bring 6, and have never been told that was too many.

Mike

[MidwestBassin]

This may not make any sense, and be completely the wrong way of thinking, but as a co-angler, I try to take as less tackle as I can get away with... Yes I know, what if I need something in the spur of the moment that I don't have, and it has happened before, but here is why I do that. First off, don't get me wrong, I take as much as I NEED, but with minimizing tackle to my confidence baits, and backups of those confidence baits, I can fish more confidently and don't find myself retying or picking up a different rod at every spot. Fishing behind a good angler, its important to keep your focus and be confident. I know I didn't answer your question directly, but its a different spin on it. Based on the time of year, and predicted conditions, you should be able to narrow your focus down to a few different techniques, and then base your tackle prep off of that. good luck brotha, tight lines

[AndyNegus94]

I'm with WIGuide my co angler can bring as much as he likes as long as it's not in my way. I also leave a compartment open in the back of my boat so my co angler can put all his tackle in if he wants. And as far as rods I have a back rack that I used as a co angler and now let my co angler use it if he chooses. And I would definitely recommend looking into buying a back rack, I never had a boater say I couldn't use it. 

http://www.***.com/Bac_Rac_Rod_Rack/descpage-BACRACK.html

[TxHawgs]

On 1/4/2016 at 10:56 PM, AndyNegus94 said:

I'm with WIGuide my co angler can bring as much as he likes as long as it's not in my way. I also leave a compartment open in the back of my boat so my co angler can put all his tackle in if he wants. And as far as rods I have a back rack that I used as a co angler and now let my co angler use it if he chooses. And I would definitely recommend looking into buying a back rack, I never had a boater say I couldn't use it. 

http://www.***.com/Bac_Rac_Rod_Rack/descpage-BACRACK.html

That's pretty cool, would like to take 6 rods if I can. So what do u do when it's time to fly down the lake at 70 with it?

[AndyNegus94]

It actually mounts on the back of the boat, lift up the lid for the battery compartment set them in there and then close the lid, never had an issue with them and there is a strap to hold the rods in place. I believe there is a video on YouTube for them!

[AndyNegus94]

On January 11, 2016 at 4:04 PM, TxHawgs said:

That's pretty cool, would like to take 6 rods if I can. So what do u do when it's time to fly down the lake at 70 with it?

Here's the video

 

 

 

[Sam]

Texas, what we must realize first is that being a nonboater means you have to know as much, or more, about your upcoming fishing day than the boater.

This means you need to study the body of water; check out Google Earth; read all articles on the Internet that you can; know the water temperature, water clarity, current, tidal times if a tidal river and water depth you will be fishing; best baits you believe will produce strikes; on top of the water the wind, clouds, sun, rain, sleet, snow; what to bring to eat and drink (takes up space); and how much foot room you will have in front of your seat to store your tackle, lunch, snacks, drinks and rods; best baits; and best colors.;and asking others who fish the water what works best for them.

It takes time to prepare as a nonboater. What bothers me is when the nonboaters in my club just climb into the boat with 20 rods and 100 pounds of tackle plus lunch and they have to try to rig up their tackle in the dark before blast off. (I have a lantern I let them and others use at the ramp to do this). It tells me that they have not done their homework as I have six rods and my baits ready to go.

So instead of having two sets of eyes and two brains we have me, with a guy who has no idea what to throw or where.

So your question about how many rods to take actually depends on your research and what you like to throw.

We really can't tell you what to take to guarantee to get bites as we have no idea of who you will be fishing but the guys and gals can give you a lot of guidance for you to read, study and then make up your mind.

Good luck.

[thomas15]

^^^ Sam,

I think alot of what you are saying applies to being a guest for a simple friendly fishing trip also. Granted you don't need all the technical knowledge for a day out but if your going to being tons of stuff onto another persons boat a certain amount of preparation should be included.

But I believe you are correct as being in a tournament should be a team effort not just the sole responsibility of the boater.