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Re: BFL tournaments
[Re: TexanTiger]
#13790250
12/01/20 01:51 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,025
Kisndismis
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,025 |
Some great responses here, I especially like the John Cox quote, and another about your only fishing against half the field. I agree with both .Have realistic expectations and then you will surprise yourself. If you like the competition go for it, dont worry about what others think and if your co dont like, well you cant please everyone and if I even sensed that I would politely leave his az at the dock!! I am in a older boat, and if I had the time I would fish some of these but too busy and not dedicated enough, I know this.
Watch it happen, make it happen, or say what the hell happened. Capt. Phil Harris F/V Cornelia Marie RIP
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Re: BFL tournaments
[Re: TexanTiger]
#13790286
12/01/20 02:22 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 29,797
Duck_Hunter
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 29,797 |
Glad to see the encouragement. Good thread.
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Re: BFL tournaments
[Re: TexanTiger]
#13790426
12/01/20 05:27 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,750
Outdoordude
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,750 |
Listen, after finishing my first year as a boater in a pro-am format, the fact that you are considering how a co-angler would feel about drawing you almost automatically makes you a good boater. I was shocked at how grateful my co-anglers where for what I thought was modest consideration for their comfort and success. Try to have a compartment available for their stuff, give them a solid idea of what style of fishing you plan to do, ask if they need a seat in back, give them a shot at prime targets every once in a while, and if they are approaching a limit do what you can (within reason) to help them fill it. Limits can be huge for co-anglers in some events and they won't care what kind of boat you're driving if you help them to a successful/fun day on the water.
Also take safety seriously, and make sure the boat is 100% ready from pumps to a full tank of gas every tournament.
Scott Jones
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Re: BFL tournaments
[Re: TexanTiger]
#13790527
12/01/20 01:16 PM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 917
C130
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 917 |
I’d say fish them, if the co doesn’t like it then he/she can get their own boat and fish as the pro and not the co. I’ve never fished the BFL’s but wouldn’t have any desire to fish as a co angler. I figure I’d be a pain in their butt and they don’t want a co angler anyways so not wasting my money and not even be able to really fish.
Bass Cat Eyra
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Re: BFL tournaments
[Re: TexanTiger]
#13790607
12/01/20 02:19 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,157
Fishingking
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,157 |
I have fished both sides. I mainly fished as a CO so I could find out where not to fish.
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Re: BFL tournaments
[Re: TexanTiger]
#13790779
12/01/20 04:40 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,276
J.H.S.
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,276 |
Poche runs a small aluminum in the Opens and does just fine. You can catch fish out of older smaller boats just as easy as you can $90k rigs. Those guys tend to look down on the guys who pull up to the ramp with lesser equipment until the get smacked by them. I say go for it.
Last edited by Josh Seale; 12/01/20 04:41 PM.
Live Daringly, Boldy, and Fearlessly....Embrace the Challenge So That You May Feel the Exhiliration of Victory.
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Re: BFL tournaments
[Re: TexanTiger]
#13790804
12/01/20 04:58 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 496
popcork
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 496 |
I would not let the size of your boat deter you from doing something that you want to do. My one request as a co-angler would be to know how to drive your boat in bad weather or high winds. The last thing I would want to be is stranded on the lake because we could not get back in.
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Re: BFL tournaments
[Re: TexanTiger]
#13790827
12/01/20 05:15 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,055
Atta
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,055 |
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. 1 less boater means 1 less co angler. Sign up and fish those tourneys! BFLs are great events for lower level toruneys. 200 bucks for a shot at 5 to 6 thousand is a hell of a deal! I have a Eyra with all the latest and greatest [censored] I can afford and spend 95% of my time in water so shallow that the graphs don't even read. Don't worry about what the co angler thinks of your boat! Jump in it and go fish man, you might surprise yourself!!
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Re: BFL tournaments
[Re: popcork]
#13790897
12/01/20 06:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,739
Phoenix_Ed
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,739 |
I would not let the size of your boat deter you from doing something that you want to do. My one request as a co-angler would be to know how to drive your boat in bad weather or high winds. The last thing I would want to be is stranded on the lake because we could not get back in. Well said popcork! In my experience I have seen Rayburn and Toledo both be pretty nasty from the co side.
Wishin I was fishin!! ..............>(((//*> 2021 Phoenix 819 - Mercury 200 4 Stroke - Ultrex Her name is Novia Número Cinco. Humminbird Helix 10 Mega DI - Helix 12 Mega SI - Mega 360 PB Largemouth - 9.51 - Toledo Bend - March 2014
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Re: BFL tournaments
[Re: TexanTiger]
#13792158
12/02/20 06:47 PM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,039
BMCD
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,039 |
Fished an ABA, after I sold my boat, out of an 1996 18ft Ranger R83, with a 150. This thing was beat up. Seats had ants in them and torn up, gouges, carpet was worn. Livewell lid hinges were not attached, Minnkota Fortrex was knocking most of the morning. Could not figure out the livewell drain system until 1/2 thru the day.
My co angler later confessed to me he saw my boat, and I told him I did not pre fish, that he told his buddy he did not get a good draw. We both won that event, and he got big bass on the Co side.
Just do it. If someone is not happy about it then that is there problem. I have seen plenty of 18 ft boats, Trackers, and some older boats fishing the BFLs.
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Re: BFL tournaments
[Re: TexanTiger]
#13792218
12/02/20 07:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,376
TBassYates
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,376 |
Sounds like you are already an accomplished angler that you have caught a ton of fish on big lakes out of your current boat. I fished a ton of tournaments as a co-angler back in the 90's, BFL, Redman, Anglers Choice Pro Ams etc. I always wanted to learn but to be honest with you the more the boater spent time trying to help me out usually it meant he wasn't quite as competitive as guys I drew that were in contention to win and just buried their head down and concentrated on accomplishing that goal. That's the guys I really learned from so I say head into the tournament with confidence that the equipment you have had and the success that you have had with that equipment will work as long as you put the effort into it and concentrate on fishing to win and don't worry about anything else. If I was your Co-angler that's what I would expect and would be pulling for you. One of my best buddies who I team fished with fished out of one of the Triton Texas Twister boats and he had no problem winning over 10 Angler of the Year titles in our club fishing out of what a lot of people would call a small boat but those live wells had more fish in them over time than probably any other boat in Texas.
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Re: BFL tournaments
[Re: TexanTiger]
#13792333
12/02/20 09:17 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,117
JC Skeeter
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,117 |
Honestly CO’s have become a little too entitled. They’re showing up to fish in your boat and your spots after you’ve put in all your time and gas and tackle. Most of them have to be told to respect the boat and to pitch in for gas. Enter the events and see what you can do. You’re boat or electronics won’t make as much of a difference as you as a fisherman will.
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Re: BFL tournaments
[Re: TexanTiger]
#13792359
12/02/20 09:39 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,283
Neches
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,283 |
ABA has a new solo division that should draw well. You won’t have to worry about a Co
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Re: BFL tournaments
[Re: BMCD]
#13792365
12/02/20 09:43 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,681
Brent S
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,681 |
Fished an ABA, after I sold my boat, out of an 1996 18ft Ranger R83, with a 150. This thing was beat up. Seats had ants in them and torn up, gouges, carpet was worn. Livewell lid hinges were not attached, Minnkota Fortrex was knocking most of the morning. Could not figure out the livewell drain system until 1/2 thru the day.
My co angler later confessed to me he saw my boat, and I told him I did not pre fish, that he told his buddy he did not get a good draw. We both won that event, and he got big bass on the Co side.
Just do it. If someone is not happy about it then that is there problem. I have seen plenty of 18 ft boats, Trackers, and some older boats fishing the BFLs. Thats a good story.
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