Co-angler experience.

[bullet02]

I am looking for ANY advice on what txs to fish co-angler. Me and my cousin wanted to get started into it last year but time just didnt allow it. Our MAIN objective is to learn new lakes and techniques. We have both grown up fishing the chick mostly and watts bar a little. We are looking to fish from say watts bar to guntersville or so. We both own a boat and fish the chick pretty regular but just looking to expand our knowledge out some more threw being co-anglers. Think we have already got an idea of being prepared for co-angler, courteous,help launching boat, gas money , keep rods tackle to minimum, food drinks. Even though we have fished a few heartlands we are looking to try co-A for a while also.With that being said where is the best place to get more experience? Keep in mind we do work m-f so no weeknight txs. But other than that we are all ears and ready to fish them all if time allows. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Pointer 78]

The Walmart BFLs and the ABA Weekend Bass Series are great venues to gain all the knowledge you want. The East Tennessee Division of the ABA will fish 3 tournaments on Chickamauga and 2 on Guntersville. The BFL Choo Choo Division will fish all 5 of their's on Guntersville. The biggest difference between the two organizations is, it's a 5 bass limit for COs for the BFLs and a 3 fish limit for the ABA weekend Series. The BFLs are run much better and the competition is higher. I've fished both for years.

 

[fischnrod]

I was only able to fish one year in the BFL as a co and I loved it and learned a ton. One thing to know and keep in mind is that you have to be at registration and pairings on the Friday evening b4 the tournament and when I fished it was at the Wal-Mart closest to the venue and MANDATORY....

I fished a couple of the ABA'S but had to give that up for health purposes but like Jerry said the BFL's were better organized and more fun . All my boaters were great and willing to help out if I needed something but I had most everything anybody would need and more. I carried to much actually but I was learning . If I was to do it again I would try to go with 4 rods and a small tackle bag and be more organized. I think organization is the whole key to being able to fish efficiently out of the back of a strangers boat.

 

[bullet02]

Thanks for the info. Roughly how many boats in aba division? Bfl?

 

[Pointer 78]

It depends on the division. The BFLs are better attended in general and the Choo Choo Division is the best in particular. It is the flagship of the Walmart BFLs. Count on 150+ boats initially for the Choo Choo Division. It tends to drop off as the year goes on but you can expect almost 100 boats every tournament. The ABAs draw 25% or so less.