You said this will be your first time to fish Big Sam. I remember my first few times fishing as a co-angler in Redman and Anglers Choice Pro Ams. All I can tell you is I am with most in saying it is a good idea to be a co-angler for a while and when you get there you will find out why. The first time I drove across the dam on my way to Twin Dykes I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked out across that lake. Then over the next 20 or so years I finally covered a big portion of the lake and it still amazes me how massive it is and how fishy the whole lake looks. Of course I feel sad that you will not be able to actually see something like the Black Forest and the way it looked in the 90's.
Go as a Co, and hope you have a decent Boater and really for the first time just take it all in because if you are like me you will have dreams of your next trip there and will not wait very long to go back.
My favorite memory was me and a tournament partner winning a Honey Hole tournament there back in the day with a 29.76 bag and I got lucky enough to catch two 8 1/2 lbers that day. It can be a magical place.

If money is that scarce to them…they probably shouldn’t be wasting it on bass tournaments

This^^^^
I've cashed a couple of checks that didn't even cover my gas, lodging and entry fee. Unless you're confident you can finish in the top 10 consistently, or money is not an issue, I would stick with a bass club close to home.
The co angler division is full of talented anglers, some may have a job where they can't take the time off to pre-fish, some don't have the money to cover all the expenses that come with being a boater, even fished against a co one time who used to be a guide on the lake and was fishing the top 150's two years earlier, but was going through a divorce and needed the money.

[/quote]

You seem like "that guy", the one that thinks they are going to get over on everybody.

Like I said I have never asked or expected a dime when someone has gotten in my boats, but I have never gotten in someone else's boat without offering.

You obviously do not understand courtesy or ethical behavior. It's all good, the world is made up of all kinds of people.

[/quote]

The guy who immediately gets personal and name calls is supposedly the courteous and ethical person. Your definition of ethical behavior seems to be whatever is best for your coffer. Apparently extorting co-anglers forced to fish with you falls in line with those ethics? $75 is extortion plain and simple.

Personally my ethics stop me from price gouging the person forced into my backseat. But you do you brother. Just make sure your co-angler gets treated with the silver spoon you’re charging him for.
And stop saying you don’t expect $75, CLEARLY YOU DO!

Co angler is very fun with the right boater. Hopefully you draw me haha

You seem like "that guy", the one that thinks they are going to get over on everybody.

Like I said I have never asked or expected a dime when someone has gotten in my boats, but I have never gotten in someone else's boat without offering.

You obviously do not understand courtesy or ethical behavior. It's all good, the world is made up of all kinds of people.

[/quote]

The guy who immediately gets personal and name calls is supposedly the courteous and ethical person. Your definition of ethical behavior seems to be whatever is best for your coffer. Apparently extorting co-anglers forced to fish with you falls in line with those ethics? $75 is extortion plain and simple.

Personally my ethics stop me from price gouging the person forced into my backseat. But you do you brother. Just make sure your co-angler gets treated with the silver spoon you’re charging him for.
And stop saying you don’t expect $75, CLEARLY YOU DO!

[/quote]

I did not call you any names, feel free to PM me your number and I can explain it to you slower.