BFL Co-angler question

[Drew03cmc]

I have been a kayak tournament guy for several years, preferring to paddle and fish rivers, but my shoulders don't agree any longer and as such, I am strongly considering entering the BFL Ozark Division (Table Rock, LOZ, Truman) as a co-angler this year and was wondering what to expect or be wary of. 

 

Also, how does the whole thing work? I'm aware of customary stuff like bring lunch, drinks, $100 per day for fuel, whatever, but unsure of the positives or negatives.

[TnRiver46]

I fished once as a co angler in a BFL once and the negative was me being a scaredy cat riding shotgun 70 mph over yacht waves and the boater being right next to the bank all day. The positive was learning a lot about all the points/creeks/etc on the reservoir and catching 20-25 non keepers . And the freebies, there are always a few 

[Drew03cmc]

I'm really considering it this coming season. Just want to expand my knowledge while working with and picking up what I can from anglers with more experience.

[813basstard]

Did it for 2 plus seasons in Gator division. 
The best thing you’ll learn is the lakes. Baits and secrets, not so much. You’ll figure out 90% of anglers do the same thing. Just not in the same places and details are the difference.

 

$100 is to much. 40-50. If you cash a check, maybe a little more.

 

Most anglers are normal humans. Only ran across 1, non human. Was in 2nd place after day 1 of a Super. Had a shot. I won’t say he cost me but he made it very very difficult for me to fish. That was my last and By God hopefully my last voyage as a Co.  Ran this season as a boater. 
 

Anyhow, do it. You’ll run across exactly what you think you will. Some guys with a lot of money and can’t fish. A lot of guys with not a lot of money who can catch them. All in all, it’s a blast. Good thing if you catch 5 every tournament you’ll have a chance at AOY

[TnRiver46]

Excellent advice from the @813basstard. I believe @Mike L has also fished tons as a back seater and done well 

[gim]

14 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I believe @Mike L has also fished tons as a back seater and done well 

 

He's also been in a bass boat as a co angler that went so fast that the driver wore a goalie mask.  LOL

[Drew03cmc]

Thanks guys. This might be how I attack this coming season. 

 

Any guidelines for tackle selection and things I may not be thinking of?

[Mike L]

@gimruis

Yep, and even thinking about it now, it still scares the heck out of me!! 😄

@Drew03cmc

I fished in 9 over the years as a co angler in the Gator Div. 
Don't know exactly what you’re looking for but I’ll try. 
If you have any specific questions just post and I’ll try to help as much as I can. 

 

If you can get a boater to register with, you both will be guaranteed an entry. 
If not, you’ll be put on a waiting list so enter as soon as you can. 
 

You will be notified of your boater by text at the pre tournament meeting the night before. It’s up to the both of you to contact each other that night to designate a place to meet up. 
 

The questions I always ask my boater’s are….

* Where and what time to meet? 
(Don’t be late)

* Ask if it’s ok to bring the amount of combos I plan to bring?  (I always bring 6 and have never been told it’s too many)

* Does he want me to net every fish, or only when he asks?

* Does he want me to launch the boat?
  ( If you don’t feel comfortable doing it   tell him upfront)

* I always ask to buy ice if it’s gonna be a hot day, coffee in the morning and/or lunch for him (of course it’s not required it’s just something I always do)

* Absolutely be prepared to chip in for fuel. ( Don’t be “that guy”)

Some co anglers decide how much to give based on how much running they do which is fine but I don’t, I give a minimum of 50.00, but that’s just me. 
* Try to bring the smallest bag you can that will fit everything you want to bring. 
* When running with the big motor keep your bag between your legs making sure you don’t impede him in anyway. 
* If you need a rear seat ask if he has one. 
* If you smoke always ask permission and be certain where your ashes fall

* If you use stain on your plastic’s put it on over the gunnel

* NEVER throw your trash on the carpet, put it in your pockets or bag and Be Sure to take it with you. 
* Don’t cast past his wind screen 

* Be ready to move when he is 
 

As far as your tackle question..

That really depends on the lake. 
Down here we have shallow, tannic water so I usually rig….

1 top water 

1 frog 

2 bottom contact

1 swimming plastic 

1 swimming hard bait depending on conditions 

*** That’s just what I pre rig. 

 

The frog and swimming hard bait combo are the only 2 that I may change what I rigged.
Those decisions are made on the fly depending on what, where and how they want something that I didn’t anticipate. 
 

If you need something I missed just ask. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

 

[Susky River Rat]

@Mike L I think that’s just great co angler guidelines even if you are fishing with a buddy not just a co angler in a tournament.

 

That is probably why I’d struggle to have a co angler I do not know. I am way to selective who I let on my boat. Having a jet drive though other than local stuff I can’t be the boater in anything. 

[Drew03cmc]

@Mike L

Thank you. I will definitely not be bringing more than 6 and, given the lakes, a frog wouldn't be among them. Probably 2 spin, 4 cast, and a bag that would hold 4 3600 and some soft baits. Nothing silly. I plan to pay for gas, often pretty substantially. I know what it costs. 

 

I'm more than willing to be flexible as long as they don't completely back-boat me all day, cutting me off, not allowing me to even fish. I've heard the horror stories and that's my primary concern. Is there any way to avoid becoming another one of the recipients of back-boating?

[Mike L]

@Darnold335

 

Thanks

 

I get what you’re saying, but consider this. 
 

Id like to think that most folks who fish as guest in someone’s  boat will have at a minimum a certain level of respect for their partner and his property. 

If not it will make for a looong day. 
But of course there are exceptions. 

 

From experience I’ve found that in a Nationally organized trail tournament, the vast majority of co anglers know what’s at stake and act accordingly. 
 

But unfortunately of course there are exceptions 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Drew03cmc]

1 minute ago, Mike L said:

@Darnold335

 

Thanks

 

I get what you’re saying, but consider this. 
 

Id like to think that most folks who fish as guest in someone’s  boat will have at a minimum a certain level of respect for their partner and his property. 

If not it will make for a looong day. 
But of course there are exceptions. 

 

From experience I’ve found that in a Nationally organized trail tournament, the vast majority of co anglers know what’s at stake and act accordingly. 
 

But unfortunately of course there are exceptions 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

Definitely. Anything that can be done to prevent issue is a must. I just think it'd be a blast to get out on the water in these events.

[Mike L]

Drew,

To answer your question directly, I’m sorry No, there isn’t anyway to “avoid” it. 
 

But I’ll tell you this, after competing in 9 BFL’s and the 3 Regional’s I qualified for

(Including about the same number of B.A.S.S. Nations Florida State qualifiers, I’ve only been back boated once.

The only thing I did was mention it very lightly and just say…”Once we get around this point, ya think maybe we can start parallel instead of head on??

 

I remember he got very embarrassed and apologized for a 1/2 hr. 

I really think he was just dialed in and forget I was there. 

 

But even if you are, just keep in mind you have 3 areas to fish while he’s dialed into one. Sure your odds can be drastically reduced, but ya never know. 
Just concentrate and rotate through your whole bag. 

My biggest complaint is being on a punching pattern and the boater had his trolling motor on high which doesn’t give a co angler a chance. 
 

Ya gotta be ready to Improvise, Overcome and Adapt.

 

 

 

 

Mike
 

[Drew03cmc]

@Mike L

 

You are the man. Thank you!

[volzfan59]

@813basstard is 100% correct, $100.00 per day is way, way to much. $50.00 is more than enough.

 

@Mike L offered some great advice.

[rangerjockey]

The boater should give you an idea on how he's planning to fish the night before, so I grab what tackle I need based on that.

In the Ozarks I would never be without a spinning rod and shaky head.

[Drew03cmc]

3 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

The boater should give you an idea on how he's planning to fish the night before, so I grab what tackle I need based on that.

In the Ozarks I would never be without a spinning rod and shaky head.

100%. Around the docks, a wacky rig, a finesse jig is deadly on Truman, etc. 

[Koz]

I fished in 5 or 6 events this year through GA and the Carolinas and I wrote a number of posts on the events this year.

 

Sometime soon I'm going to write an in depth article on what I learned this year, but here's one thing I will tell you: if you're off shore fishing in deeper water with a boater who relies on forward facing sonar you're probably not going to have a good day.

 

All but one of my boaters was a good guy, but they will run to a brush pile, check FFS, make 2-5 casts and then head to the next brush pile. You can ask them to set the console sonar to top or sidescan if they have it, but if they are constantly moving the transducer with FFS you won't learn much on the sidescan.

 

If you're quick you'll get in some casts but you're usually casting blind. I had one guy that not only relied on FFS, but he also had 360 and kept casting over me when he saw something off the back half of the boat.

 

If I do this again next year I'll fish the two lakes right here in my backyard, but no more overnight travel to these spotted bass lakes. Instead, I'll drive to Florida and fish some events there where we'll be targeting LMB and fishing grass, docks, banks, etc. That type of fishing gives me a chance to compete as opposed to run and gun deep water fishing.

[Mike L]

26 minutes ago, Koz said:

 

If you're quick you'll get in some casts but you're usually casting blind. I had one guy that not only relied on FFS, but he also had 360 and kept casting over me when he saw something off the back half of the boat.

 

If I do this again next year I'll fish the two lakes right here in my backyard, but no more overnight travel to these spotted bass lakes. Instead, I'll drive to Florida and fish some events there where we'll be targeting LMB and fishing grass, docks, banks, etc. That type of fishing gives me a chance to compete as opposed to run and gun deep water fishing.

For years fishing tournaments in what you describe I felt so out of my element that it played with my head. 
FFS in the hands of a boater who relies on it exclusively negates your skills to the point that any decision you make is hit and miss. 
The only thing you can do is to keep rotating through everything you got and hope to find a few loners moving in and out through the 3 other open areas you have. 
There always are if he’s targeting brush piles. 

The best advise I can give in that situation is to keep changing your casting angles. 
 

All’s not lost, you just got to accept the grind and think good thoughts. 

 

 

 

Mike

[Koz]

52 minutes ago, Mike L said:

The best advise I can give in that situation is to keep changing your casting angles. 

In those cases my tactic has been to cover water with crankbaits, lipless cranks, underspins, and topwaters.

 

Meanwhile, the boater id using a shaky head out in front as he moves towards the brush pile, reels in slack, and works the bait. Shaky heads do me no good there as mine just drags along the bottom.

 

To try and combat that I would toss a Carolina rig with a heavy weight and a long leader off the front quarter of the boat. The idea was it would sink fast and with the long leader it gave the bait a little time to just sit there before it started dragging. Even then, a Carolina rig can be effective as it starts to drag.

 

I did catch fish that way, but I'm still casting blind. And in that one case when I was finding fish that boater with the 360 would cast right on top of me when he saw a fish or he thought my bait was a fish.

 

What I never understood was the one guy who would pull up to a brush pile, claim he saw 20-30 fish, take two or three casts and not get a bite, then run to another brush pile and claim the fish weren't biting. If it was me, I'd work my way around the brush pile and pick it apart instead of wasting valuable fishing time moving 2 or 3 miles to another spot that may or may not even be holding any fish. Maybe that's the kayak guy in me.

[ElGuapo928]

When I was a backseater, my favorite tactics were a 4” Kalin’s grub on a 1/16oz darter head or a Westy Worm…..both picked up lots of fish the guy up front missed.

[fishingtx]

On 10/8/2023 at 5:00 PM, Drew03cmc said:

@Mike L

Thank you. I will definitely not be bringing more than 6 and, given the lakes, a frog wouldn't be among them. Probably 2 spin, 4 cast, and a bag that would hold 4 3600 and some soft baits. Nothing silly. I plan to pay for gas, often pretty substantially. I know what it costs. 

 

I'm more than willing to be flexible as long as they don't completely back-boat me all day, cutting me off, not allowing me to even fish. I've heard the horror stories and that's my primary concern. Is there any way to avoid becoming another one of the recipients of back-boating?

Lots of dudes will back boat you if you're performing better than them. I've experienced this quite a bit but when it happens I just try to make the best of the situation and it usually pays off. I had a buddy of mine that was beating the boater in his boat and ended up winning the co-angler spot of the tournament that this happened to. the boater got so mad the he was getting beaten by a teenager in the back of his boat that he dumped him at the weigh in about 2 and a half hours early. The boater ended up weighing in 1 fish and my friend the co got a check.