With the BFL Circuit’s elimination of co-anglers for the 2027 season, the opportunity to fish at a high level from the back of some stranger’s boat is mostly gone. There are still a few chances to fish as a “co” – like the WON BASS U.S. Open (they call them AAA anglers) but that is an exception.
I fully understand the reasons that circuits eliminated back seaters or changed the way that they are chosen, but it makes me a little sad, too. Going to those tournaments back in my twenties and thirties was a key part of my fishing education. Without those experiences it’s unlikely I would have become a writer.
I participated in three FLW events in 1997 as a co-angler. Those included what was then known as the Forrest Wood Cup (before that monicker was assigned to their championship) on Lake Minnetonka, with the final weigh-in at the Mall of America. The two regular season events put me in the Championship, held that fall in Greenville, Mississippi on Lake Ferguson.
I also competed in six Bassmaster tour-level events from 2001 through 2008, earning checks in four of them. It’s how I first visited and fell in love with Guntersville, the California Delta, Toledo Bend and Falcon. I likely never would have made those trips but for the opportunity that B.A.S.S. provided.
Here are a few factoids and notes about that great time in my life:
First pro I fished with:Randy Dearman. I was introduced to the godfather of braided line at the ramp at Buggs Island by a mutual friend at my first FLW. We ended up practicing four days together.
Pros I practiced with the most places – Chad Brauer and OT Fears.
Bass Fishing Hall of Famers I fished with: Paul Elias, Denny Brauer, Ron Lindner.
Most co-friendly pro partner: Lindner. First of all, it was epic to fish with the scion of the In-Fisherman empire in Minnesota, but I drew him on Day 2. He was out of contention and I ended Day 1 in 8th place so he worked hard to put me on fish.
Fishing with the Goat – I worked with Kevin Vandam on a media project in 2006 and asked to practice with him at the Cal Delta event in 2007. He said I could only do it if we fished together all three days. That was a no-brainer. And if you think he’s just a jerkbait/crankbait/spinnerbait guy, you’re wrong. He caught ‘em bed fishing and flipping, too, and he did it as well as anyone I’ve ever seen.
“You’ve made it” moment – Getting your picture taken by James Overstreet in the Bassmaster.com photo gallery.
Fishing with the winner – I practiced with David Wharton one day at the Bassmaster Tour Toledo Bend event that he won in 2003.
Draw I wish I’d had – My friend and travel partner Bill drew Aaron Martens on Day 2 at the Cal Delta the year that A-Mart won there. It happened to be the day that Aaron caught 30 pounds, including double digits on both a flipping stick and a dropshot. When he hooked the giant on light line, Bill asked what he could do to help: “Pray dude, pray,” Aaron responded.
Good catch, bad feeling – On Day 1 at the famous Falcon event in 2008, I caught 17 pounds. Not bad for a co but it paled in comparison to everyone around me – my pro partner Brent Chapman had over 30, as did his father, who was fishing as a co. The elder Mr. Chapman fished with Byron Velvick, who was 3rd with 35-2.
Could’ve used spot lock – On Day 2 at Falcon I fished with Yusuke Miyazaki. After we flipped in the morning, we went to a spot in the Tigers to Carolina Rig in the afternoon. I had four fish at the time. It was exceptionally windy so he’d work up to the sweet spot, fire out a cast and catch a fish before I could cast. Then we’d drift back about 100 yards as he culled. We’d idle back up and repeat the process. I figured I’d never get #5, but late in the afternoon I must’ve found a roamer out off the side of the boat and finished out my limit, enough to get into the Day 3 cut.
Biggest bag – Day 3 at Falcon fished with Marty Stone and caught 22-13, my biggest tournament bag.
Biggest fish – Early on that day with Marty I caught an 8-13, which remained my PB for four more years. It’s still the biggest fish I’ve ever caught in a tournament.
Most enjoyable practice – Fishing with Jeff Kriet at Falcon, he stopped to make a phone call and positioned me on a point that produced a 2-3 pound fish every cast. When I asked him if I should stop casting or setting the hook, he told me to keep swinging. “If I need those fish on tournament day, I’m in trouble.”
Roughest Water – Fishing with Jimmy Reese at Toledo Bend we made a long run uplake into a protected area as the wind grew all day. Heading back there were legit 6-footers, and forced to remain in the narrow boat lanes to get back we took a beating.
Going for a swim – At the 1997 FLW Championship at Lake Ferguson, Mississippi, I drew Paul Elias on the first day. We were boat #1 and took his jet boat to get into a sketchy backwater. We ended up missing the entrance, grounded on a mud flat, in the drink and trying to pull the boat back off at 6:45 in the morning.
Most enjoyable post-tournament fishing – Crappie fishing with OT Fears and Kenyon Hill in Discovery Bay on the Cal Delta.
Lures that produced the most fish – War Eagle double willow spinnerbait and 5-6” Senkos.
Lure that produced the biggest fish – Carolina rigged Zoom Lizard.
I’m fortunate that even though my last pro-am was nearly two decades ago, I still occasionally get to fish or ride with the pros. This year at a media event I got to fish a two-hour derby on Table Rock with John Crews. We finished second, one fish short of our limit. I was grateful for the opportunity and proud that I was able to contribute two of our fish. A month later, I rode with Tucker Smith and Andrew Loberg on practice days at Santee Cooper.
Any time you get an opportunity to fish with someone better or more experienced than you, jump at the chance. This is a sport that rewards being a lifelong learner and you’ll have lots of fun along the way. I still feel like I can remember every cast and every emotion from each one.
