Bucket List: 2023 MLF Phoenix (BFL) Bulldog Division

[Koz]

This year I decided to cross an item off my bucket list, fishing in the MLF Phoenix Bulldog Division (Georgia) as a co-angler.  I have a sponsor for two events (my hotel) and I'll go out of pocket for the other three. My hotel is sponsoring me and my boater for the Oconee and Sinclair events since they are in our neighborhood.

 

For the Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair events I have a boater lined up (someone here on BR) and be assigned a boater for the other three events on Lake Lanier (2) and West Point Lake.

 

HOWEVER, if you're a boater and are in search of a co-angler and will have me along we can pair up. Boater entry fees are higher, but as an added incentive I'll split the total of the boater + co-angler fee.

 

I'm doing this for fun and for PR for my hotel. I don't expect to sniff the top of the leaderboard and I don't care. Don't get me wrong, I am competitive. But I have a full time job and have no illusions of making any money or finding glory doing this. A couple of local publications are already lined up to do stories about the "Fishing GM."

 

And as some of you know, I do a Fishing With The GM program at my hotel where I teach kids (and adults) to fish. Now we can tout that as Fishing with an MLF Angler or something like that. And yes, because this is also a PR thing I did go all out and buy a fishing jersey with the hotel logo, required MLS logos, and some contingency logos. Why the heck not? I want this to be fun. And again, moving forward it will be good PR for my hotel.

[roadwarrior]

Good luck!

[GaryH]

Good luck Koz..

 

 

[KSanford33]

That’s awesome Koz! You’ll definitely have to post your experiences on here. 

[Koz]

40 minutes ago, KSanford33 said:

That’s awesome Koz! You’ll definitely have to post your experiences on here. 

It will certainly be interesting, especially since I've only fished in a handful of club tournaments in my life. But again, this is for fun and I have zero expectations.

 

One thing that I have had to do is make an investment in some equipment. For example, a culling system, a better scale, a weigh bag, and an Accu Cull weight recorder. That last one may or may not be superfluous, but it should make it quicker and easier to keep track of what I catch - if I ever get a limit!

 

I also invested in a larger fishing duffel instead of using my tackle bag or backpack. This will allow me to carry a decent amount of fishing gear, any rain gear or additional layers, food, drink, and my trash. But more important it lets me keep it all in one spot so I'm not cluttering up the boat. As a co-angler, I don't want to be "that guy." I want to be respectful and keep my space tidy.

 

Maybe as the season progresses I'll post some sort of Greenhorn Diary here about my experiences  - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

[Bankbeater]

That is so cool, good luck!

[InfantryMP]

Good Luck to you! I have thought about fishing these events as well as a boater, but I will not be able to do it in 2023, but maybe 2024. 

 

I would love to see you make some posts about the tournaments once they are completed!

[Mike L]

I’ve fished BFL’s down here for years. 
The year I won the Florida State Championship was the most fun I’ve ever had on the water. 
 

As a co angler the rules are a little different for us but it seems you have the right attitude going in. 
Hopefully you’ll draw a boater who has a plan and willing to help you execute yours. 
 

Best of Luck 

 

 

 

Mike

[Koz]

4 hours ago, Mike L said:

The year I won the Florida State Championship was the most fun I’ve ever had on the water. 

 Very cool!

 

Fishing out of the back is not easy, and a lot of it depends upon the boater your with. Luckily, for two tournaments my boater is conscientious and I know we'll be rooting for each other.

 

Honestly, my goal is one fish at a time. For the first tournament at Lanier, if I can put 2 or 3 fish on the boat I'll be happy. The goal is to have fun and try and improve every tournament. 

 

Last year the winning co-angler number on Lanier was under 14 pounds, as were most of the winning totals for co-anglers on the other lakes we'll be fishing. While every day can be different, it does give me an idea of what to shoot for.

[Fishingmickey]

Good luck, Koz!

     Fish your strengths!

Fishingmickey

[Mike L]

45 minutes ago, Koz said:

 Very cool!

 

Fishing out of the back is not easy, and a lot of it depends upon the boater your with. Luckily, for two tournaments my boater is conscientious and I know we'll be rooting for each other.

 

Honestly, my goal is one fish at a time. For the first tournament at Lanier, if I can put 2 or 3 fish on the boat I'll be happy. The goal is to have fun and try and improve every tournament. 

 

Last year the winning co-angler number on Lanier was under 14 pounds, as were most of the winning totals for co-anglers on the other lakes we'll be fishing. While every day can be different, it does give me an idea of what to shoot for.

I fished a BASS Nations Regional Championship on Lanier one time and if I’m not mistaken it took 20# from the front and 10# from the back to advance but that was in October. 
Every year and season is different, so just fish your game and every confidence bait you got. 

Most every boater I’ve drawn in the BFL’s and BASS Nations qualifiers and State and Regional Championships will do what they can for you as most have been in the back at one time or another. 

The best advice I can give you is to Don’t overthink it, fish your strengths if given the opportunity and try to be more aware and tuned into what they’re telling you and don’t force it. 
 

Again, the best of luck to you and let us know how you do. 
 

 

 

Mike