I am considering fishing the Cowboy division this year. I have never fished these events before, however I have fished several other tournament trails (team trails). I have an older, smaller boat with outdated electronics. My question is, if I sign up as a "pro" will I be doing my co-angler a disservice because I don't have the technology or capabilities of 90% of the field. I am not a novice angler. I have a couple 2nd place finishes, several top 10s, and have won a regional championship, but it was always with a buddy who knew what he was getting into.

I have not fished them either but a lot of those tourneys if not all are on big water. Probably going to limit what you can go/do. Would you want to draw someone like that after you have paid you hard earned dollars for? Just being Devils advocate here, not bashing.

No. I wouldn't. I guess a few details may help. I have an 18.5' fibergalss Triton, the tournaments I have fished have been on Rayburn and Toledo. So I am familiar with big water, sure its not a 21' Ranger, but it ain't a 16' john boat either haha.

Fish it. There are plenty of guys with top of the line equipment that cant fish there way out of a bath tube. BFL is the beginner level tourny anyway. Go do it and just have fun!

Heck yea fish it. FIrst time I fished a open my very first "Pro" showed up drunk and puking from drinking all night. You cant possibly be any worse than that guy!!!!

I drew a Z7, in a 30 MPH north wind in about 30* weather on Rayburn once. Wet, cold, hurting, zeroed and front ended all day. I considered it part of paying my dues. Ain't gonna lie though, that tournament was likely the catalyst for me entering as a boater moving forward... And buying a good gore tex suit.

18.5 is fine. If they don't like it they can buy a bigger boat than yours, pay a little more entry and enter as a pro. That's my take on it.

Like John Cox recently said "If your boat is holding you back, you don't love it enough". Sign up and go fish. Look at Cox or Keith Poche, small boats, older electronics or even no electronics, no spot locks and they do just fine on a much larger scale than a BFL. Look at it like this 80% of the field with the best stuff money can buy goes home empty handed every week. Bass don't care what kind of boat they ride in or how fast they go heading back to weigh-in.

Agree 100%. Don't let a 200+ boat field stacked with $75k+ rigs deter you from entering. I generally cut any field size in half and that is the actual competition. If you are capable of getting on fish and giving your co-angler the opportunity at bites then don't worry about what you are fishing out of.

I've seen several in BFL's running Z7's or similar sized boats. Biggest piece of advice I can give, when it is your turn to go, go and get out of the way!!

I did two years as a co, two as a boater, took a year off and am back in it as a co this year. Good luck to you.

If I were to draw you as a Co, I’d be a little disgusted at first. But when I realize you are a great angler and know how to put good ones in the boat and put me on a few, too, all that disgust would go away quick. Just make sure your livewells work good cause we goin’ toad huntin’. Do it! Don’t let the size of your boat hinder the size of your dreams. Catch ‘em & cash ‘em, and nobody will ever comment about your small boat. Guaranteed!

I would do it if you want to.

I NEVER in my life would have considered co anglers enter thinking of it like a guided trip to learn something but that is what Ive read on here.

I was on table rock during a flw and was fishing across from some spot someone won it on there at one point apparently, boats came in and out of there all day long most just pulling up and in and making 3-5 casts before taking back off again, most of the time the go just barely got up and they were leaving again. Those guys all made it look very not fun to fish, they were in such a hurry etc. I also was on another spot and a boat zoomed in and the co caught a bass first cast, measured it and threw it back, caught a keeper next cast and the boater turned around on the tm over his spot and then they left... total d head move if you ask me, not sure why he wouldnt have copied his co but whatever.

My point is from what I personally saw in three days those guys dont care about their co, they are a necessary evil.

18.5 I would consider a normal big boat, my boat prior to my phoenix was a 84 glastron at 17 foot and I caught a bunch of fish out of it over 24 years.

I say go for it. If I were your co I would care more about your knowledge/skills than your boat/accessories.

Ho's before Co's. If they ain't lay'n or pay'n, they got no gripe!

Yep

Fish it.