no disadvantage, some people just don't like others in their boat during tournaments where they have to compete against that person. On a monthly basis, we witness a person with a non-boater win and many times a non-boater wins the whole tournament. However here is something to think about that happened in the 2016 national championship.

One regular boater blew his motor weeks before the national championship tournament, so instead of not fishing he went and fished as a non-boater. For his efforts, he won the non boater category and took home a new Triton 19TRX fully rigged with a Mercury Outboard, MotorGuide trolling motor, GARMIN electronics, and TH Marine products. A GOOD FISHERMAN IS A GOOD FISHERMAN, no matter what the boat situation is.

All I am saying is if you are interested, give the ABA a try. As fish 4 5 said..."If you don't want the possibility of a co angler don't fish this. Simple."
There are numerous tournament trails as far as the eye can see in the Texas and the local area .

This is a great opportunity for those of us that, for one reason or another, don't own a boat. I have fished this trail for the last 3 years, as a co, and have never had a problem with a boater or heard any of our boaters have a problem with their co-angler. Without trails like this, what would you suggest that we, those of us not fortunate enough to own a boat, do to be able to bass fish and compete. I also agree that this has been a great way for me to learn a lot from the more experienced boaters that I have fished with. It also allows the building of some very good friendships.