I was an Observer in the PAA tournaments on Tawakoni and Ray Hubbard a few years ago. It wasn't as much money as a Marshall gig, but basically the same thing. I truly enjoyed the experience. I got to spend a day in the boat with Tommy Biffle, Brian Clark, Fred Roumbanis, Terry Butcher and Dave Lefebre. I was able to get to know these guys a bit over an 8 hour day and none of them were shy about answering questions or dispensing information. I also got to hear some great stories (Tommy Biffle) that I'm not sure the average fan gets to hear. I would do it again in a minute.

I can't drive by a lake without feeling antsy 8 hours on a lake without a cast may as well be Chinese water torture.

Tom, Doug will let you ride around with him and listen to stories all day for a piece of smoked chicken.

That smoked chicken is awesome

At Falcon they were short Marshalls as well. The evening prior to the event I was able to find three volunteers including myself to help out the tournament director and fill some of the openings. All rode for free and all had a great time. After fishing for Bass the past 50+ years it was still a valuable learning experience and exciting way to spend some time around a place like Zapata. Anyone who has lived there can relate to that.

If I'm going to ride around and not fish with Doug for 8 hours I want ear plugs and he as to pay me 100 bucks!

Where do you sign up to be a Marshall?

I don't think so. It's still a good deal for the more inexperienced fisherman or those with their egos in check that realize there's more to learn. It's definitely not for everyone.... Some days are long and you don't learn but most days you do. These guys are the best for a reason.

Each year there seems to be an event or two that isn't a big draw for the marshals. That can be the time of year or the lake. For those of you that feel $42 a day to ride with these guys is too much money to watch them in action, you sure chose an interesting hobby to have such a tight grip on your wallet. But that's how some of us operate I guess. There are those that just can't sit still for that long and boy do I get that. It isn't easy.

Watch what happens when the classic rolls around or when the Elites come to TB. There will be a waiting list a mile long, just like two years ago.

I would imagine that the thought of getting the [censored] beat out of you on the Great Lakes had something to do with the turnout for marshals as well. I would never pay to ride with the Elite's but I get to the opportunity to fish with some of the greatest anglers in the nation as an FLW Co-Angler. If I was not fishing FLW then I would consider/recommend getting in the boat with some of these guys and see what you are missing.

Lol. I thought the same thing. It isn't very much money and it is a good opportunity to learn something. Shocked at the amount of negativity in this thread.

Eh. some just wouldn't admit to REALLY wanting to ride along. They are way to good at it themselves. Lol.

If the purpose of the $ was to make sure you show up, why wouldn't they give you a refund after the day is over?

I wouldn't pay $100+ to sit in a boat and watch someone else fish unless I knew it was going to be a big name (I probably only know the top 5-10 guys anyway). Getting to fish all day with a guide who I picked on Lake Fork sounds a lot better than watching a guy I didn't pick fish for 8 hours while I sit there.