Statements like this are foolish and not seeing the reality of the amount of money tournament organizations would lose. The format has been around forever and will continue to flourish.

You mean the money grab from wannabe dreamers

Unless your an organization stake holder, being concerned about a tournament organization making or losing money is the truly foolish thought.

Organizations exist to make money. Remove profit….

Never mind you’re right.

Organizations need to set expectations for the coangler then.

I think they should ban it from tournament use. Its deadly and fun, but on competition, there still something about finding fish and actually fishing. Not following them and casting at them all day.

Well that thought is based on the idea that there is actually a problem instead of a TFF post.

It is my experience that many of the co-anglers do indeed have a nice boat some don't have time to prefish and are just looking for a guided fishing trip. I have had many tell me they are looking for the hidden areas they don't know about as well as the best or secret areas and techniques. I also have had some that made it damn near impossible to catch a good fish by bombing 1 ounce spinnerbaits all the way across a cove so he can fish the area ahead of the pro. One was so large he broke my back seat on a new skeeter. Same guy made my boat run 9mph slower all day and that's a big deal when Im running 35 miles from starting point. I would really like it if all the individuals were pro only. If I wanted to be a fishing guide I would do so. Don't get me wrong I am always nice to them and help them in all legal ways depending on the trail. ABA is my favorite individual because you don't have a co-angler if none sign up. BTW my favorite CO-Angler was a retired BASS guy who just wanted to go fishing and was to frail to do it by himself, he was an awesome fisherman and even showed me a spot or two, very nice guy.

ff sonar is not good for the co, I fished some events last year, nice guys but the style just really hurt the co, it is now like your being front ended but they aren't meaning to do it.


Individual format is the way to get more Robbie Rose's.

I second this motion!

Unfortunately yes this is where high fuel prices have landed us. Two years ago I would have been more co-angler friendly these days I'd have to think about it.

Not sure if it’s killing the co-angler, I would say just the angler in general.

Not sure how long you have been fishing, but the CO getting screwed is nothing new. It has been happening forever, most pros will keep you unable to cast at anything good with or without FFS. No arguing, it’s just how it is and has been.

Not only the co-angler but everyone that doesn't have front facing sonar. Let's face it , fishing has the most uneven playing field of any sport out there.

Very true. My first big tournament I fished was as a non boater(paid same entry as boater) in 1980 in a Redman. First day I drew the biggest name in bass fishing. First thing he told me was not to ask questions and stay in the back. Then proceeded to put the motor on high and front end me all day. He caught a lot of fish but I caught zero. Not due to my lack of skills, he just went so fast in heavy cover I stayed hung up all day so I just sat quietly and watched. If I had wanted to push the issue I could have caused a problem since it wasn’t a co angler dealt he rules actually stated I could have the front end 1/2 a day because we were supposedly both “pros”. I wasn’t but this guy was the biggest of them all. I just didn’t expect him to be such an arsehole. Which he is pretty well known as.