Bass Fan has a good read .
http://www.bassfan.com/opinion_article.asp?ID=1287#.VFrr0ZUtCP8

A few points I think are off, like mandating 4 stroke rigs. How does this go with the lower cost concept, I haven't priced a four stroke lately but they used to be considerably more expensive than a two stroke counter part.

And no one forces you to have a brand new boat to compete, especially at the lower levels like stated. Plenty of money has been won in Bass Champs, TTT level etc out of older lesser equipped boats without the best rods and reels.

He figured in fifty k for a boat, then another 50k for rods reels and tackle, really 50k for rods reels and tackle?????

I don't think the answer is co-anglers at "tour level", maybe more open events than 3 per region if you want to grow the co anglers??

I would like to know who on here has 50k in tackle. I have a ton of tackle and too many rods and reels imo and I would guess I have around 4k total. I don't go buy the high end steez and g Loomis stuff, but I still don't see there being to many guys with that kind of money in tackle.

I'm pretty sure a good stick could compete with the big boys for far less than $100,000 in boat and tackle. I bet you could take the top half of the field and put them in 19' boats w/175s and limit them to $5,000 worth of tackle and they probably wouldn't drop much in production.

I agree with the topic of co-angler participation being diminished though. Taking those days away from co-anglers in the Tour is unneccessary in my opinion. I'd like to know what drove that decision.

Some of his opinions are a little off...especially his closing bio...lol

Its human nature to want the best that u can afford. So creating tournaments for low cost rigs will limit participation. 150s do not make someone not competitive. Costs r really in travel in my mind. Its dang expensive to travel 2.5 hrs to a lale burn 60 gallons of boat gas. In a couple of days. Now multiply that by 2 or 3 per month.

If you have seen the new Tourney style "Major League Fishing" they limit the Pros to 150s in 18ft boats and no practice time....the pros are still raking in fish like mad and proves why they are pros. Limiting the boat size and equipment wont change how good a pro is. It may limit the distance one is able to travel but not limit their ability as pros.

I can't say I agree with the sport catering to Non-boaters. No doubt the main reason is cost of a rig and lack of sponsorships available. Easily the costs are dominated by fuel, travel and boat payment.

Good article but not sure how relevant it is.

I have never fished as a Co-angler and don't plan on ever doing it. I am WAY too much a control freak. How does a CO react when circumstances dictate and the guy in the front puts them in "bad" water?

Not anymore they are running their own rigs now in MLF no more 18ft boats

How do they react? Like an adult! Gotta go with the flow, and find other avenues.

Fishing on the Co side is a great learning tool, if you open up and use it the way it should be. Gotta take the good with the bad sometimes (just like in life)

Sounds like some Liberal BS to me. They should make two trails, one for 18' boats with no more than a 4 stroke 150 / no electronics and one that says bring what you got. I'm willing to bet the "bring what you got trail" will have more participation.

Just curious thats all. I was fishing wheeler, AL when an Everstart (???) event was going on. I was talking to one the boaters and he seemed like he helped his Co-angler get his limit when he knew he was out of running for money. I think thats good for him.
I am sure there are some good things about it I am just not a social creature thats all.

I fail to see how mandating 4-stroke engines has anything to do with cost-savings.

Recruitment is just fine as well. College fishing is big already, and high school fishing is growing even faster.

I would rather remove the co-angler element from the top trails and let the pros focus on their "job" without the distraction of a co-angler. There are plenty tournament options for people who don't have boats with plenty prize money available to win.

by blaming the pro for their poor results.