CrustyMono Posted January 13, 2017 Posted January 13, 2017 I am thinking of competing on Lake Oneida as a co-angler in the Bassmaster Open. I have only fished in a few smaller tournaments. I also have a limited amount of tackle and gear, which is why I think a co-angler is a good idea. The entry fee is 425$. I am considering joining a club in college. Would competing here help getting recruited? Also, am I better off hiring a guide for one day, or just learning fly observing the pro. Also would i need to buy nicer gear, and would it be likely that i am able to make my money back? Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted January 13, 2017 Super User Posted January 13, 2017 If you are going to fish as a co-angler, you're at the mercy of your boater. Whether he's good or bad, you're at his mercy. So going out and hiring a guide would really do you no good unless you were to enter the tournament with your own boat. Quote
CrustyMono Posted January 13, 2017 Author Posted January 13, 2017 7 minutes ago, fishballer06 said: If you are going to fish as a co-angler, you're at the mercy of your boater. Whether he's good or bad, you're at his mercy. So going out and hiring a guide would really do you no good unless you were to enter the tournament with your own boat. sorry for the misunderstanding. I meant to say that hiring a guide for a few hours is the same price as fishing with a "pro" for multiple days. it could provide more of a learning experience. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted January 13, 2017 Super User Posted January 13, 2017 Based on the date, you will likely be fishing for green fish, summer patterns. Get proficient with frogs, t-rigs, and flipping in water willow. No need to hire a guide, since you will have no input on locations. Even then, many locations throughout the lake mirror each other. Throw all this out the window if weather forces you to fish the river, or if your pro wants gamble and run out to Shackelton looking for smallmouths. As far as just hiring a guide - anyone with local knowledge will likely be fishing the open. Quote
Global Moderator 12poundbass Posted January 13, 2017 Global Moderator Posted January 13, 2017 If you're looking to get some insight, knowledge, or become a better angler I'd say hire a guide or see about the Marshall program when the Elites are close to you. From the stories I've read being a Marshall is worth every penny. 1 Quote
RichF Posted January 14, 2017 Posted January 14, 2017 You could get lucky and draw an Elite guy or high profile FLW pro, not that they always know what to do or how to catch them, it can still be a cool experience. I've fished 5 Northern Opens as a co-angler and I can't say it was 100% worth it. It was great to see how a big, professionally run tournament is run and I got to fish with John Murray and Ish which was cool. Ish showed me you can catch bass in ridiculously shallow water. John Murray was a super nice guy. Other than that, I can't say I learned a lot. If you're going to get into fishing big events in the future it's worth doing one or two. 2 Quote
Global Moderator 12poundbass Posted January 14, 2017 Global Moderator Posted January 14, 2017 2 hours ago, RichF said: You could get lucky and draw an Elite guy or high profile FLW pro, not that they always know what to do or how to catch them, it can still be a cool experience. I've fished 5 Northern Opens as a co-angler and I can't say it was 100% worth it. It was great to see how a big, professionally run tournament is run and I got to fish with John Murray and Ish which was cool. Ish showed me you can catch bass in ridiculously shallow water. John Murray was a super nice guy. Other than that, I can't say I learned a lot. If you're going to get into fishing big events in the future it's worth doing one or two. Kind of sounds like what I was saying. Go with the Marshall experience if you can. It would be a great experience and worth every penny if they're close enough! I wish they were to me! 1 Quote
smallieking Posted January 17, 2017 Posted January 17, 2017 to fish a bassmaster open you will need a boater link because by now the field is filled. In addition, since you are just starting out you might prefer a cheaper tournament series. There is also a bfl on Oneida and a great tournament curcuit for new co anglers is the American bass anglers ram open series. They have a series in upstate New York and usually get a good number of boats 1 Quote
kroberts9 Posted March 1, 2017 Posted March 1, 2017 On 1/13/2017 at 11:35 PM, RichF said: You could get lucky and draw an Elite guy or high profile FLW pro, not that they always know what to do or how to catch them, it can still be a cool experience. I've fished 5 Northern Opens as a co-angler and I can't say it was 100% worth it. It was great to see how a big, professionally run tournament is run and I got to fish with John Murray and Ish which was cool. Ish showed me you can catch bass in ridiculously shallow water. John Murray was a super nice guy. Other than that, I can't say I learned a lot. If you're going to get into fishing big events in the future it's worth doing one or two. man that would be so cool to fish with a high end pro like Ott defoe or Jacob wheeler. if I had a little bit better flexibility and a few bigger tournaments under my belt I would love to fish an open as Co. odd question if you win the co-angler portion what does that do for you? like what do you win as a prize, is it like a pat on the back or something better? Quote
RichF Posted March 1, 2017 Posted March 1, 2017 6 hours ago, kroberts9 said: man that would be so cool to fish with a high end pro like Ott defoe or Jacob wheeler. if I had a little bit better flexibility and a few bigger tournaments under my belt I would love to fish an open as Co. odd question if you win the co-angler portion what does that do for you? like what do you win as a prize, is it like a pat on the back or something better? 1st place co-angler wins a boat. Used to be a $35k boat. Something like a Skeeter ZX 190 with a 150HP motor. The last couple years they dropped it to a $25k boat (an 18 footer with a 115). My dad came really close at Cayuga a couple years ago. He lost one big smallie that would've sealed the deal and ended up finishing 2nd. My best finish was 11th and I got to fish with Ish that day. I also fished a day with John Murray, who was the nicest dude ever. My dad got partnered with: Ike, Randy Howell, Gary Klein, Randall Tharp, and David Fritts. We only fished 5 events. 1 Quote
jhoffman Posted March 3, 2017 Posted March 3, 2017 Youre really swinging for the fence entering the Bass Open. Do you have a boat? I think you should take some steps in between first. Maybe Bass Nation, BFL, Costa... Quote
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