I was looking at the thread on the Toyota event at Rayburn and the comments about the number of entries being down. It seems that the issue was the number of willing co-anglers. It would be hard to sit in the back of the boat watching someone scope all day with virtually no chance of catching a fish. It might be a great education for someone new to FFS; but otherwise, it might make a co-angler want to swim to the bank and walk back to the ramp.

Let's look at Brody's (winner of the Toyota Series at Rayburn) pairings as an example:

Day One Co-Angler: Phillip James: Zeroed
Day Two Co-Angler: Michael Sharp: Zeroed (Caught 10-15 day one and was tied for 3rd leading into day two)
Day Three Co-Angler: Justin Swayze: One for 1-13 (Was leading the cos going into day three with 22-0 and ended up third (prize difference of $30,580)

I can't imagine the torment Justin experienced that last day just watching Brody scope.

In spite of the above, don't think that I would not be scoping as a pro if I thought that was the way to win. When you're having a great tournament, you can't worry about your co-angler even when, as was the case with Brody and Justin on day three, your co-angler has a chance to win.

As long as they keep the co-angler model, I suspect that entries will continue to drop. It's just the way it is now.

maybe co-anglers should offer a percentage of any winnings to boater, on last day

Fishing at that level ain't/shouldn't be a team event.

The Co's should start making the Pro's pay their entry and expenses to link with them.

Nothing will change until the "Pros" are monetarily incentivized by how their Co's finish. Lot of different models could be employed based on day, big fish, derby total.

Just need to do away with co anglers all together

The whole co angler gripe is a big nothing burger.. they know the deal when they sign up. They are paying to ride around in the back of boat. Where ever that boat goes is where they fish. If they don't like it then get a boat, pay the big entry fee, go practice.

I think they need to cut the cos and do boater on boater.

2 day events. You get your boat one of the days.

It will be perfect, made for TV

That usually costs double Cotton..

Total waste of money, can’t even imagine what any co thinks they’re going to get out of the experience. I wouldn’t do it if the “pro” paid my way.

Yes you would.

Co-anglers will disappear themselves BPT won’t have to do anything. There will always be a few, until like you said, do away with them.

Would ranger pros be responsible for kidney damage to all the non ranger pros that had to ride with them

I dont think he would and I would not either

This