THE BASS COLLEGE

There's an art and a science to co-angling. It isn't as easy as it first appears, at least not if you expect to cash a check now and again. And, much like in the professional ranks, consistent success belongs to only a few.

This three-part series will take a close look at how those few go about their craft. What do they do, or not do, that allows them to win time and time again?

Part I will take a fresh look at tournament preparation. It's not what you think. Part II will cover the mental side of co-angling. "Chill out" is the theory here. And finally, Part III will examine tackle and lure choices. Forget what you've been told about this subject and take a lesson from our experts.

Part I: Preparation

Over the past decade Howard Stephens has won more money than any other BASS co-angler in history. Since 1996 he's competed in 59 tournaments. He's won four boats, and his total winnings now exceed the $140,000 mark. His co-angler theories and strategies are simple, straightforward and different. They're also extremely effective.

"The key to winning as a co-angler is preparation and the key to preparation is being versatile," he says. "Be prepared to fish the water your pro is fishing and to fish it effectively."

Stephens explains that knowledge about the fishing venue — the usual definition of preparation in this context — is of limited importance to a co-angler. It might help a bit when you're practicing, but after the tournament starts you're going to go where your pro goes. If he's fishing deep it doesn't matter that you found them shallow the day before. It's not about you or your opinion. It's about him. You'll fish his spots or not fish at all.

And so, this South Carolina angler spends as much time as possible practicing on Lake Murray, near his home in Columbia. Murray has a wealth of diverse structure and cover. It offers endless learning opportunities. Stephens takes full advantage of them.

He practices for tournaments by honing his mechanical skills and improving his understanding of a wide array of bass catching techniques. Getting better at the drop shot, at flipping and pitching, at crankbaiting, at spinnerbaiting, at Carolina rigging and at topwater plugging is what preparation means to him.

"Fishing as a co-angler you never know what you'll be doing until after practice, and even then it'll depend on who you draw for a pro. You might draw one who's on a deep ledge pattern the first day and then, on day two, draw a guy who's flipping and pitching into shallow shoreline cover. One guy might fish slow and methodical, the other fast and quick. There's no way to tell," he explains.

"Knowing how to do a lot of things well is the best preparation. That way you can adapt to meet any pro's style and pattern along with any condition you encounter."

But technique is not all Stephens is about. Creature comforts are also on his mind before a tournament. "It's important to carry what you'll need for the day as far as clothing, rain gear, food and water are concerned," he says. "Being cold, wet, hungry or thirsty is more than a distraction or a discomfort. It affects your ability to fish and you can't win if you don't fish."

Efficiency is the key here. Don't carry along your outdoor wardrobe and a picnic basket, but just enough to get you through the day.

Stephens' theories are different, there's no doubt about that. Most anglers talk about learning the water, most articles are about developing a pattern. He talks about being ready to fish with your pro. He works hard at being prepared and takes full advantage of what's offered. When opportunity knocks, Stephens answers the door.

"Staying positive during the tournament is the thing," says Bryan Talmadge, winner of over $50,000 as a co-angler in BASS competitions. "But that doesn't just happen. It's your responsibility to do the right things. You make yourself positive."

That sounds good on paper, but what are the right things? What specific things does this Alabama angler do to keep himself in the right frame of mind? The answer comes in three parts.

1. Don't waste your practice time

According to Talmadge, practice should be about building confidence, not patterning the bite or finding the big ones.

Try to catch a few bass on each of several different types of lures and rigs. Catch 'em shallow and deep, with hard baits and with plastics, or with anything else that seems appropriate. That way you'll start the tournament feeling you can catch fish no matter where your pro fishes or what may happen.

"Hey man, you're with some of the best anglers in the world. At an Elite Series event you're going to spend the day around bass. There's no question about that. They all know how to find fish. Take advantage of that. Relax and have a good time. No angler — not even KVD when he's hot — can catch them all. You'll do real good collecting the leavings off their table."

2. Respect your pro, his water and his boat

Getting along with your pro is important. That relationship starts the night before you launch. Talmadge asks about bringing ice, water, drinks, snacks and anything else that might be needed. "That helps right from the get-go," he says.

It's also important to have realistic expectations of what your pro will, and will not, do. These men are fishing for a lot of money. Maybe a slot at the Classic is on the line. They aren't going to give you the first cast or position the boat to your advantage. Don't expect it and you won't be disappointed when it doesn't happen. They aren't your weekend fishing partner.

You won't get blocked out if you stay away from their water. Never cast in front of them or try to throw to an obvious target before they can. Don't try to compete with them. In the first place you can't, at least not successfully. And, in the second place, they aren't your competition anyway, the other co-anglers are.

Don't spill coffee on their carpet or spit sunflower hulls around their boat. And don't even think about messing around in their storage lockers or tackle cases. (The one thing professional anglers have in common is organization. Their livelihood depends upon it. Don't touch anything unless you're told to.)

Bryan Talmadge has won over $50,000 as a co-angler in BASS competitions.3. Learn to cast

Talmadge recommends anyone wanting to fish a high-level professional tournament as a co-angler practice their casting skills every day until they can throw any bait, on any rig, from any angle, under any conditions, with any rod and reel combination, accurately.

"That's more important than many guys realize. Even pros with a reputation for fishing slow move fast," he says. "There's always good water to fish but it's hard to get to. Your casting angle will usually be bad and there's stuff in the way most of the time.

"Learn to hit the good spots when the wind's blowing, when you're in a hurry and when you have a bad angle. You should be especially good at skipping lures and throwing from behind as the boat is leaving a target. Most of your casts will be that way. Accurate casting is the way to catch the fish they don't. And there's no better way to stay positive than to catch fish."

A positive mental attitude doesn't just happen. Take responsibility for it and your success from the back of the boat will improve.

 

The videos above are Kurt, my younger brother, and I, fishing the REDMAN trail many years ago before ther BFL even existed.

Thanks to Operation Bass, a new generation of bass fishing is causing great excitement throughout competitive fishing circles. There are more tournaments, more lucrative cash and prizes to be won and the playing field has never been fairer. Television coverage of the Wal-Mart FLW Tour adds to the sports' popularity and brings more participants into the game at all levels. With so much at stake, both boaters and co-anglers face new responsibilities in their quest for success and satisfaction on the tournament trail.

 Veterans of the FLW Tour and EverStart Series have several years of experience with the Pro/Co-Angler format and its rules. Now, with the format changes in this year's Red Man Tournament Trail, veterans and newcomers alike will have to adjust to new rules of engagement in a boater/co-angler format. Notice the absence of the words "pro" and "am." The Red Man trail has not gone professional. Only the format has changed. Those in the boater division will compete only against other boaters. And co-anglers will compete only against other co-anglers, who must fish from the back of the boat only. The boater controls the operation of the boat and the choice of fishing locations, as well as making any major decisions during the day.

This format has gained great popularity among boat-owning competitors because it offers them more control over their destiny, a feeling that arises from the level of effort and expense that is inherent in boat ownership and tournament competition. The new format also is very popular among co-anglers, for they now can compete on a level playing field against peers, rather than against their division's top guns. It all sounds so good. There shouldn't be any problems, right? Well ...

Especially under this new format, there are important issues that must be brought to light. Among them, boat-positioning, casting etiquette, and fish netting just to name a few. By addressing these issues and balancing expectations with reality, the coming season will be more enjoyable and successful than ever.

Gas Money

It's not a rule. Under the draw format, it was a custom. In this format, boaters shouldn't expect it and co-anglers shouldn't feel obligated to offer it. When you enter as a boater, you accept the expenses and responsibilities that go with it. Having said that, I believe that offering gas money is a fine gesture, but it remains an individual choice, based on many factors that should neither be criticized nor judged, that said, always offer it!

Tackle

True, boats are getting bigger and designs are more passenger-friendly than ever, but that isn't an open invitation for co-anglers to bring their garage with them. Discuss this with your boater. He or she may have no limitations, but be prepared. Five rods with versatile actions, including a flipping stick, should be sufficient. Also, one large drawer-style tackle box or soft-sided tackle bag should be adequate. If you can get a definite idea of how your boater plans to fish, you can scale down. If not, bring a good variety. Often times, the boater will offer you a lure if you do not have something appropriate. Communicate.

Netting Fish

Fortunately, netting is allowed, as landing fish otherwise can be downright dangerous. There is no rule, however, that says one person must net the other's fish. This should be discussed before take-off. Do you both want all fish netted or not at all? Will you call for the net for large or lightly hooked fish only? Not everyone nets fish the same way. A little show-and-tell wouldn't hurt here. Also, during the fighting and landing of a fish, talking out instructions isn't a bad idea either. Just don't assume that everyone knows how to do it or how you like it done. When a fish is missed or knocked off because of the net, it's an uncomfortable time for both of anglers. I've seen bad fish-fighting skills be just as much at fault as bad net jobs. So discuss it ahead of time and come to a clear understanding of this critical issue.

Casting Etiquette

This is an important topic. Somewhat related to the issues of boat-positioning and overall fairness, it is definitely something that can make or break an enjoyable, productive day of fishing. Obviously, the boater will normally get the first and best opportunities at most targets. This can get frustrating to the competitive, anxious angler in the back of the boat. It can be tempting to eye the next good target and zip a quick cast up ahead of the boat, just before the guy up front loads up for his cast. This is not a good idea. The boater has probably spent a great deal of time locating his spots. He deserves the opportunity to work his game plan. Interfering with that is a good way to ensure that you get fewer back-seat opportunities. Obviously, both of you would like to catch fish and do well. Fairness should be the goal here.

Boat Positioning

The best retrieve is one that keeps the bait in the strike zone for the longest time. This is usually accomplished by paralleling the bank. It can be the toughest situation for the guy in back, but one you must learn to accept sometimes. When shoreline fishing, the best and most comfortable cast for both anglers is diagonally ahead at a minimum 45 degree angle. This allows most lures to perform correctly for the duration of the retrieve at normal trolling speeds. Paralleling the bank, continuously, neither allows this to happen nor is it fair. During spawning season, it's not uncommon to spend up to an hour trying to entice a big female. If this happens, allow your co-angler several opportunities to catch some bass too. Once again, fairness is the operative word.

Fairness

Fairness. It all comes down to this. Boater and co-anglers, both want to do well in their respective standings. Most of the time, the boater controls the co-angler's destiny by his or her choice of fishing styles. If you are a boater, and you must parallel the bank or work a bed extensively, afford enough time in other ways to your passenger. Getting your partner a limit should be just as important as getting your own. Certainly, some days are just plain tough, but on good days what good is it to throw back twenty keepers that don't add to your weight while your co-angler has one fish? When you're into a bunch of small keepers, do everything you can to get your co-angler his limit before leaving to search for bigger fish. Boaters should divulge the presence of underwater cover, and allow the co-angler to cast to a piece of cover before speeding away from it. If he's good enough, or lucky enough, to pick off that 3- pounder, then good for him. You should be happy.

 Once you've broken the 20-pound mark, another 4-pounder may not help you, but it could catapult your co-angler into the winner's circle. Boaters should want to gain a reputation for being a great "guide," the kind of boater that co-anglers speak favorably of and hope to draw. As an added incentive for boaters to help their co-anglers catch fish, Operation Bass will pay the boater's entry into another Red Man tournament if his co-angler finishes in first place. For boaters, it will definitely be worthwhile to give the co-angler as many fish-catching opportunities as possible during each tournament.

 Perhaps no other format allows for a greater demonstration of sportsmanship and character than the "boater/co-angler" format. Boaters enjoy more freedom of control and co-anglers enjoy a fairer level of competition. As a result, more anglers will enjoy post-season competition and the rewards that go with it. We have many reasons to celebrate the new opportunities brought about by this format change. We also have the responsibility to demonstrate fairness, respect and consideration to those who share our boats. In my experience, most boaters are quite fair and do try to make the day pleasant and successful for the co-angler. Perhaps that's just the reflection of the contagious spirit of a great tournament organization and its fine members.

Back Seat Strategies

By Charlie Antetomaso

The formalities are over. You are sitting in your partner's boat at dawn, anxiously waiting to hear your boat number over the loudspeaker. There it is. He puts the pedal to the floor and you begin racing down the lake at face-rippling speeds, headed for the mother lode of fishing holes.

You're not exactly sure what to expect. You just know that you want to make that first cast. Adrenaline is flowing. Expectations are high. You imagine yourself walking onto the weigh-in stage holding a sack full of fish. You can picture yourself holding the winner's trophy high over your head and accepting that big poster-sized check! This is going to be good. Next thing you know, your ducking scads of branches as your boater navigates his way down a narrow slough, barely wide enough for the boat. Your high hopes seem dashed, and it's starting to feel like it's going to be one of those days.

Welcome to life in the backseat. It's not always what you expect nor is it always what you like. Sometimes it's better than you can imagine! Whatever you encounter, each tournament provides an eight-hour day for you to make the most of. Take the aforementioned situation for example. The boater could be tossing a spinnerbait or small crankbait down the center of that slough up ahead of the boat or picking apart each and every good-looking target with a jig. He may even be catching some fish. Doing the same thing behind the boat might be uncomfortable and unproductive, especially if the trolling motor is kicking up crud and muddying the water. You can drop your jig into the same likely places, hoping to find something that the seine up front left behind. Or, you can keep a watchful eye on his efficiency and hope to capitalize on a missed flip or an untapped spot in the cover. If that doesn't seem to be working and it just so happens that the channel is deep enough that the water isn't being muddied, you can try casting a crankbait behind the boat, dragging a Carolina rig or swimming a worm. The key is to be alert, pay attention and be cognizant of your opportunities. The more versed you are in patterns, lures and presentations, the more opportunities you will recognize, even in the worst of situations. One thing is for sure. For better or worse, each trip will be a learning experience.

It would have been nice if the boater let you know ahead of time that his first spot was going to be a tight fit and that your casting opportunities would be limited. Knowing what to expect would have better prepared you. You might have learned that a fishable tactic would be to flip or pitch a jig to shoreline cover as he quickly covered water with his spinnerbait or crankbait. While you shouldn't always expect such niceties, many times you will be pleasantly surprised.

I experienced this situation in an FLW championship event on Lake Sinclair. Once we were in a narrow creek and I realized what was going on, I tied on a jig and pitched it to shoreline cover, but the boat was moving at a fast pace and it was nearly impossible to work the jig properly as the cover whizzed by. The boater was doing what had worked for him in practice, and it was my job to make the most of the situation. It just so happened that I was the one getting the bites, sometimes in rapid succession. Nevertheless, our tactic remained the same until we left to go Carolina rig some points. As it turned out, a couple of the better weights for the day came out of that same little creek, using guess what ... a jig!

Before you get to the first spot, attempt to find out what to expect from your partner. Ask questions once you are in the boat, waiting for take off. If you need to, tie on the appropriate baits then. Once fishing begins, however, nothing says you have to use the same bait in the same color as your boater. You may have gotten some good warm and fuzzies from tales of his pre-fishing exploits, but don't assume anything. Until a definite pattern is determined, stick with your strengths and instincts. Maybe your first choice of lures or presentations in similar situations on your home water would actually be a better choice. You may end up teaching your partner a thing or two.

It's a funny sport. Strange things tend to happen. Factors such as boat position, speed and casting angles often determine the tactics that will be most efficient or practical at any given time. Don't force something that isn't there. Often, fast retrieved baits such as rattletraps and buzzbaits do more to arouse a bass' senses than trigger a strike. Just as often, a well-chosen "follow up" bait can actually draw the strike. If the place looks good and he says that he has caught fish there, but his fast retrieves aren't working, either slow down your presentations or use a good "follow up" bait, such as a hard- or soft-plastic jerkbait, swimming worm, topwater lure, grub or spinnerbait behind his buzzbait. It sounds cliche, but let the fish determine what you do.

Never be embarrassed to ask questions. Being a co-angler is a great time to absorb a lot of information from some pretty darn good fishermen. Most anglers are willing to share information that can make your day more productive and make you a better angler in the future, but it may be up to you to ask. Of course, being observant and paying as much attention to detail as possible is your best bet.

 Don't expect everyone to give away all of their secrets. Likewise, use common sense and good judgement when asking your partner questions. For instance, talking about how or where he fishes another lake is not in the best of taste as it has nothing to do with your task at hand and may actually serve to distract him from what he is trying to accomplish at that moment.

Besides learning as much as you can, your goal should also be to earn a good reputation as a respectful, trustworthy person. As I mentioned before, the alone will pay huge dividends. Someday, you may find yourself in the driver seat, looking to hang on to some small advantages of your own. For now, as a co-angler, you have the opportunity to return to other tournaments, armed with great new tactics and information. Over time you may surpass the abilities of other competitors, who are unwilling (or unable) to put forth the time, money and energy that you expend as a co-angler in this environment

Theres a ton of great info in this post. Being a co-angler is a great way to learn and get started in tournament fishing and the BFL is the place to start!

These are some of the best articles I've read.  Wish I would have had them when I began as a co-angler. Some co-anglers who do not pre-fish for tournaments, do not realize the time, effort and cost invested to fish each competition.  Both anglers should respect the position of the other and have a great day on the water! Again, Thanks!

I'm glad I'm a member of THE BASS COLLEGE.  There's always great articles here.  If I ever wanted to be come a co-angler I know where to find the right info.  

I found this article to be full of very good information. co-anglers can learn tons of information with right question and a posative attitude

Bass Tournament Preparation

by Kevin Patton

Tournament fishing can be a hair-pulling experience, but trying to pre-fish for a tournament can be even more frustrating.

Tony Lynn and I spend part of April 16 and 17 pre-fishing Spring Lake North for some friends who had an April 19 tournament at the lake.

My starting point for preparing for a tournament is to look at any fishing logs that I have kept about the lake. I'm looking for information such as fish locations and successful lures used during the same time frame as the tournament. Sifting through this information can at least give you some ideas.

I also refer to log entries for such things as wind direction and water temperature, figuring that the closer actual conditions can be duplicated, the more chance exists for repeated success.

Based largely on the wind direction, sky conditions, and time of year, I make a "game plan." It includes selecting lures, choosing spots to fish, and deciding in what order that I will fish those areas. Make a game plan, but keep it simple.

Pre-tournament practice is the time to experiment, so that you don't spend your tournament day taking boat rides and constantly changing lures.

Of course, all the usual preparation of changing line on reels, sharpening hooks, checking the weather, and tying on your starting lures for the tournament are taken for granted.

There are different schools of thought about when you should pre-fish for a tournament. Some anglers will fish right up to the night before the tournament, while others like to give their areas at least a couple days rest before the competition.

I'm sure that both strategies have worked at times and both also have bombed. You'll just have to do what your experience dictates.

It is a cliche, but during practice you should fish at various depths and speeds. Experiment with the colors, sizes, and actions of your lures. The main thing is to have an open mind.

It is important to be honest about what pre-fishing tells you about how you should spend your tournament day.

Is there a weather change coming that will move the fish because of sky conditions and a shift in wind direction? A feeding bite can become a reaction bite and vice versa in a hurry.

This was the scenario for our friends as a cold front was due to pass through the area on tournament day, while our pre-fishing days were totally different conditions. For them, the sky will darken, the wind will shift, and it will rain.

Whereas fishing during the practice days was generally slow, except for three nice keepers, the fish may become active during the passage of the front. Our slow presentations may be less efficient if bass become active and chase down lures.

If this happens, you don't need to totally abandon your successful pre-fishing areas. The fish may move, but probably not far. The mood of the bass may change, but modifying your presentation may still catch fish in the area.

Two of our keepers were caught on the very end of boat docks, with a black Uncle Josh Porker and a brown jig with brown craw trailer. Another keeper was caught on a black and blue Senko, fished with a 1/0 hook for a very slow fall. It was caught where a sea wall meets some shoreline rip rap.

When we returned to where the two keepers were caught the first day, we failed to boat a fish the second day. Fishing was tough.

No two fish were caught with the same lure nor in the same area. With a weather change coming that would change conditions for the tournament, what should we tell our friends?

My advice was to fish in the general areas where the keepers were caught, using your six most productive lures for this lake during this time of year. My guess was that fish would become active and the slow presentations used in practice would be less productive than fishing with faster-moving search baits. If these areas do not produce, I told them to fish their best areas from past experience.

The main thing is don't just point your boat down a shoreline and fish. Use your previous experience on the lake, even if it means throwing practice out the window.

When pre-fishing is a contrast to tournament day, you may need to pick your best lures, your most productive areas, and just go fishing.

A free log book is available at: Fishing Log

confidence is one of the most undervalued aspects of bass fishing

Great information!

CO ANGLER CLINIC <<

Great info in these articles, i am currently a Co-angler in the Flw BFL Series and have learned more in the back of the boat with good anglers than i had in a year of fishing by myself. Its a great oppurtunity to learn more about fishing in general, along with lure presentation and how to make decisions to increase your catch during various conditions. If you have the time and the extra cash, get into co-angler division tournaments and get out there and learn and have some fun!

Thanks The best deal around for guys starting out or who want to learn is to fish the Bassmaster Weekend Series, the FLW or Bassmaster Opens, or the BFL as a co angler. You will be with top notch anglers and even top level pros, learn a ton, and at the same time be fishing for REAL MONEY and at times a BOAT!, not some rinky dink local prize money. You dont even have to pay the same amount to enter as a guide trip and you are not winning anything there, and the guide is not Roland Martin or Anthony Gagliardi!!! They are in the FLW or BASS Opens!! Anybody who enters anything at all other than these is really wasting their time and  money in my opinion. 

I totally agree, The BFL Series has helped me learn more in a few tournaments than i usually learn in a couple years of fishing. Not to mention you make a lot of friends out there

My day's in the old Redman Tournament Trail and newly BFL were great learning experience's.  Them boys will show you how it's done!  Especially at weigh-in!

Well spoken on the comments on every fisherman's ideas and tactics

But to let you know not everyone wins but just to have a good day and know the spots and what works and what dont work. Keep on trying and that is a job

Focus Focus on your presentation and most of all is be PATIENT

Pro Staff- Craig Coffman

BassmanKVB at April 25, 2010 at 4:55 PM

confidence is one of the most undervalued aspects of bass fishing

Thats so true. If everyone out on the water had all of the confidence that they should, i would say the percent of fish weighed in would increase at least 5-10% in tournys.

Yep.

I started as a Co-angler in Federation tournaments, local pro-ams, WON, FLW etc. It may not always have been getting my butt handed to me by the pros in the front of the boat, but I took it as a learning experience. I paid attention to every detail, learned different presentations, what locations guys went to for what presentations, learned anything and everything I could in order to make myself a better angler. Confidence, determination, and versatility is what really makes a difference at the end of the day. Being a co-angler is one of the best learning experiences you can have, I wouldn't be where I was today without fishing with the boaters that I have.

Totally agree, every single experience teaches you something that makes you a better angler and ready to be a pro or boater at any level.