Are we seeing the end of bass fishing co-anglers competing with other anglers? Are bass co-anglers becoming extinct? These days with technology and forward facing sonar, co-anglers are unhappy to be with a boater and being a co-angler in professional bass fishing tournaments. With limited participation and less incentives and money for co-anglers, are see seeing the end of an era?
Exploring the evolving world of co angler dynamics and what it means for the future of fishing. From essential co angler tips to understanding proper co angler etiquette, we’re examining how the sport continues to change. Join us as we dive into the latest bass fishing report and share our insights about the changing landscape of professional tournaments.
#fishing #coanglers #bass
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Lets be honest, even though FFS doesn't help, at a grassroots level the pro-co format has been losing popularity for years. I think its a bunch of factors, but for most the team format is just plainly a more for way to spend a Saturday rather than getting paired with a random guy (who will later complain about scoping, or bed fishing, or the boater being clueless…)
The underrated thing about the death of co-angler is the rise of kayak tournaments. If I was a young die hard bass fisherman without the resources to get my own boat, without a doubt I would go the kayak route rather than the random nature of pro/co. I think this has led to less and lower quality co anglers.
Being a co-angler has always been a bone of contention. Ohh, Hello Steve. Some experiences have been good and bad on both sides.
I remember co-angler being mad at anglers for fishing a bed fish for a long period of time, locking you in at the back of the boat, not moving.
If you get a good angler, he can help you pointing some spots around the boat to cast. 360 can really help.
Instead of angler co-angler, maybe they should do like the college/university system dose and have teams. Cutting down on the individual cost per angler.
But that's just an idea 💡
Tight lines.
Regards, Steven.
This is the reason I decided not to ever fish as a co angler again, just become a Marshal!! but a boater shouldn’t ask a co angler for gas or anything when your gonna hog the front of the boat to keep the co angler from fishing. I myself think co anglers are the future of the sport because it help build confidence to the co angler
Scoping is definitely the largest cause of the decline. As the numbers decline they need to consider lowering the entry fees for co anglers. There is probably a number that would bring them back.
I've been a co for years. I would love nothing more than to make the jump to front of the boat but no matter how hard I try I can't financially justify the expense of a boat at this point in my life. Now were at a point where being a co isn't worth the time or money. It's a pretty crappy feeling getting pushed out of something I love doing. C'est la vie I guess
Sad to say, I think it’s on the way out.
I fished as a co-angler for many, many years. Then came ffs. I refuse to fish anymore. It's too bad, because I really loved fishing as a co, before ffs.
Buy a boat if you are a co angler not liking the way your boater is fishing
Yep. Because of Livescope and the boaters dont care if you catch a fish or not. Working men dont have the money to watch somebody fish.
I don’t fish but club tournaments so my co is up front with me. He wins, we win.
Other tournaments I’ve seen guy on the back are stuck dragging a jig or C Rig. My buddy threw a glide and pissed his pro off.
WON BASS figured out the right way to do this a long time ago.
Yes, scoping has hurt us as a co-angler. I never used the boater as a learning thing because I wanted to do my thing while the boater is doing his thing. I have slowed down being a co-angler more and more and been doing more small boat events and using online tournaments like on Tourney X.
I was a coangler as I was going up when I became of age. Lot of times I had a butt head for a partner, I had to cast a certain way or getting front ended all the time.
Yeah being a co is a crap-shoot as you never know who you draw for the day. You can have a great pro and they give you opportunities or total opposite. I didn't enjoy the experience in my short time. Club level is different as you know the guys but can be ify as well. I never liked putting my life in the hands some of the yahoos who don't know how to operate a boat safely. Chine walking on the bigger lakes at safe light wasn't fun. Lol
As long as parents keep buying their kids new boats and trucks there will be too many "professionals " on the front.
Gone are the days of working a 60 hrs shift, sleeping in your truck at the ramp, and hope you have enough gas money to get to work on Monday.
The truth hurts.
A few tournaments paired boaters last minute because they were short CO’s. Imagine leaving your rig in the parking lot and grabbing a few rods to backseat compete on a lessor boat. Your pre-fishing and money wasted. FFS is such a train wreck. Might as well eliminate them and catch / release with an official. Less fish mortality.
I enjoyed being a Co-angler. I just wanted to compete for the winners trophy. I have learned lots of tips and tricks from the pros I fished with. I appreciate the knowledge that was shared with me. I always helped out with fuel and boat expenses. I always gave at least $100. Several years ago when FFS became the norm in Professional Bass Fishing, I spent 6 separate tournament days in one season watching pro’s chasing bass in the middle of the lakes from Florida, to North Carolina to Tennessee, while I blindly cast my baits out into the unknown void of the center of lakes. I can’t fault the Pro’s for using their FFS. The Pro’s have to fish this way to perform well in their division.
I now have given up on tournament fishing. I have canceled all my memberships to the various tournament organizations. I really no longer keep up with the tournament results and the professional personalities. I don’t know who the AOY’s are any longer. I wouldn’t recognize the pro’s in a bait shop or at a boat ramp.
Without Co-anglers, I hope the Pro’s will continue to police themselves of all the rules, and keep bass fishing legitimate.
Funny thing is, Pro’s are trying to sell boats and fishing tackle to all the anglers who are now not fishing tournaments.
Good luck.
This is old news…its been going away the last 3 years…pros have been having to pair up with another boater…they don’t want to waste money …
I fished BFLs and Everstart/Costa for 20 years and I did pretty fair, but my last 2 years which were 4 years ago FFS was coming on strong and cruising all around points on the trolling motor got old fast. I realized fishing style was passing me by so I bowed out. But if straight power fishing was still the deal I would’ve probably give it a few more years. It was really fun while it lasted though I loved it and met a lot of good guys.
Banning ffs is the only way to remedy this problem