I am looking to fish as a co-angler next year in East Texas (Toledo, Rayburn, Lake O' the Pines, etc.) and was wondering what are the better trails to fish. How do they stack up regarding payouts vs expenses?

Bassmaster Weekend Series has been fun to fish as a co-angler for me. I don't know what other trails offer co-angler options. BWS has a division that just fishes Toledo and Rayburn and then another one that fishes usually Palestine, Tyler, Cedar Creek, and Richland.

Coach

check out the FLW BFL

or better yet sign up for the BASS opens. The payout is the best thing going right now and they are definitely looking for Co-Anglers. The lakes are Amistad, Red River, and Texoma. Deposit for all 3 events is $300 and then you pay $200 for each torunament the month before the tournament. Ends up costing $300 per tournament and the payout is 2x as good as teh FLW Stren Series.

If you do not find a spot on those mentioned already, you might try the Bud Light Trail www.budlighttrail.com "find a partner" tab on their home page menu. Four anglers with boats are looking for a partner to fish with them. The BLT offers a shot at two $40,000 Legend LE 195 boats with 200 Merc's in their Championship tournaments. They have a Longview Division Spring Team Trail on Pines/Sandlin and a Beaumont Fall Team Trail on Rayburn/Toledo Bend that will qualify for the 2011 Team Championships/Legend Boats.
Good Luck