Co angler question

[UkCatsBasser]

Im starting to fish tournaments for the first time. I don't own a boat so will be the co angler. How many rods do most bring? I have 5 is that overkill? I hate to bring the kitchen sink but u never know.

[rockangler]

I would think 5 would be ok. I would talk to my boater to find out how you will be fishing and try and limit my tackle as best I can. That always seemed to be the problem when I was fishing as a boater in draw tour. Some guys would want to bring 2 or 3 bags and a cooler. Makes it harder to get around.

[C R]

5 should be fine. When you meet your angler ask him, plus offer gas money right up front. How you represent your self when meeting the angler means a lot,IMO, and from reading the way you worded this post, I think you will be fine. Have Fun.

[UkCatsBasser]

I just have one tackle bag. Talking to my partner the night before I could narrow down my choices too.

[Jason1]

When i first started fishing TX's i would bring 4 or 5 rods, and for tackle i had a medium sized tackle bag that i would fill with the baits i threw the most.
You have to be respectfull to your boater in sense of his boat and keeping things neat.
There is nothing worse than tripping over rods or tackle spread across the boat.

[DanCard]

5 is about perfect. I used to fish co and found that I could cover everything with about 5 rods. I also carried one of the Bass Pro extreme tackle bags. I could put just about everything I needed in one of them. Good Luck

[Hogman]

I would be fine if you got in my boat with 5 rods, tackle bags that would fit in one of the compartments, and a lunch.
I clean out the compartment behind the passenger seat for the co-angler before every tournament.

[20_lb_sack]

From my experience, as a co-angler, the fewer rods you take the better. You spend more time with the bait in the water.

[-Joe-]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Hogman &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I would be fine if you got in my boat with 5 rods, tackle bags that would fit in one of the compartments, and a lunch.
I clean out the compartment behind the passenger seat for the co-angler before every tournament.</td></tr></table>

+1
Also, my cooler is open for your use within reason. (don't bring a dozen 32oz Gatorade bottles thinking they're gonna fit! )

[bhjr.]

I fished co-angler for about three years and probably the best way to learn what you will need is to be able to practice with a boater that is in the event that you will be fishing. This way you can really narrow down your tackle approach based on what the boater drawn for the tournament tells you , if he will. If your boater for the tournament won't hint at what he's going to do, at least you have the experience gained from practice and can make an educated guess at what to carry.

[local16]

% is a good number but no more. Talk to your boater the night before about how he'll be fishing. If he won't say, tell him o.k. you'll just bring everything you've got.
He can tell you without giving any secrets..

[mikepags]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by UkCatsBasser &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> I have 5 is that overkill? I hate to bring the kitchen sink but u never know. </td></tr></table>

I would call 15 overkill when I ride in my partners boat I usually bring 6-8.......in my boat he brings 5-6....(we both have 15-20 total rods ).......we will share tackle if something is needed so we don't stress about bringing tons of stuff for that "maybe" get used.........but this is under a team format and we have a pretty good idea of what we are doing all day cause we have been doing it for years on the same lake

[Charles Prestridge]

I think having rod socks is very important to minimize tangled rods and help keep rods protected.

[201pro]

After being a boater for the last 15 years, I fished co for the last 2 years on everything from Federation/Bfls to the Everstarts. I pretty much took 6 rods. If I was comfortable with what he had told me the night before or I had my pattern down on the first day and I knew what I was going to do, then 5, but usually 6. Even if you practice with someone and know what you want to do, you still have to be able to fish with the water/conditions you are given on tournament day. Don't expect them to give you details of what they are going to be doing, just ask for what type of water, depth, etc and anything they can share to help eliminate tackle.

Tackle/rainsuit/etc always fit in the back compartment. That is, if they would give me one. Some guys don't care enough about the co-angler to even empty it out, so if you get one of those, don't feel bad, just leave it in the floor.

Just be courteous, respect their boat, if you smoke- DON'T without asking if it is ok, if you chew- Don't spit and get chew on the cap, offer plenty of gas money ( $20 does not go anywhere these days), help with readying the boat for launch( if they want it) and help to wipe it down and clean up after you load. Take all of your trash with you.
If you do not know how, or are not very well versed at backing a trailer, then find someone to help teach you before the season starts or at least let the boater know the night before when you meet, so they can make arrangements with someone else to help launch/load.
Have fun and try to learn something from everyone you draw. Even my bad draws taught me something. It may have been what not to do, but I learned from it.. Nothing like a pissing, moaning co-angler to make the day very long.

[JDH_STL]

If possible try to talk to you boater beforehand and find out how he plans on fishing. Then you can decide on what rods and tackle you'll need and won't be bringing a lot of stuff you won't use. In my experiences as a co angler, less is usually better because you spend too much time untangling rods and sorting through tackle. Like David said earlier, keeping your bait in the water is the name of the game

[frahmalicious]

I have been a co and a boater, this is my thought. Team tx fine talk to your partner you are on the same team, share baits whatever. If you are a co, you paid to play, take the sink, your draw might not have a clue. As a boater if plan A and B dont come together you have a whole boat of stuff to try to figure it out. But as a co if you draw this guy and only have the two things he told you guess what, Bingo you could be screwed. Also a little advice try to do your own thing if he is crankin, try a jig or a shakey head.
Be kind and a sportsman, and things will be good.

[tdow3]

another thing that i do is I bring 5 rods i will also bring 2 extra reels w/ different size line for different applications. Or another spool with braid instead of floro/mono. that way you can just swap fast and be done.

[kiabass22]

like others have said 5-6 rods will be fine, most of the boaters that i have had will give you a rear compartment ot put stuff in, the extra reels is a great idea not only for a line change but incase you get a backlash that cant be picked out it maybe easier to cahnge out the real than to strip out the line, the medium size tackle bags, along the size that they use on the Ultimate match fishing show are perfect. good luck on you up coming season

[SSNCHIEF]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by 201pro &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">After being a boater for the last 15 years, I fished co for the last 2 years on everything from Federation/Bfls to the Everstarts. I pretty much took 6 rods. If I was comfortable with what he had told me the night before or I had my pattern down on the first day and I knew what I was going to do, then 5, but usually 6. Even if you practice with someone and know what you want to do, you still have to be able to fish with the water/conditions you are given on tournament day. Don't expect them to give you details of what they are going to be doing, just ask for what type of water, depth, etc and anything they can share to help eliminate tackle.

Tackle/rainsuit/etc always fit in the back compartment. That is, if they would give me one. Some guys don't care enough about the co-angler to even empty it out, so if you get one of those, don't feel bad, just leave it in the floor.

Just be courteous, respect their boat, if you smoke- DON'T without asking if it is ok, if you chew- Don't spit and get chew on the cap, offer plenty of gas money ( $20 does not go anywhere these days), help with readying the boat for launch( if they want it) and help to wipe it down and clean up after you load. Take all of your trash with you.
If you do not know how, or are not very well versed at backing a trailer, then find someone to help teach you before the season starts or at least let the boater know the night before when you meet, so they can make arrangements with someone else to help launch/load.
Have fun and try to learn something from everyone you draw. Even my bad draws taught me something. It may have been what not to do, but I learned from it.. Nothing like a pissing, moaning co-angler to make the day very long.</td></tr></table>
+1 on this post. One thing to remember is try to bring a little bit for every potential situation. Bite may change and boater may shift gears and fish fast when the plan was to fish slow. You don't want to be in a position to have to borrow lures from your boater. Most boats have an ice chest so you can put your drinks/snacks in there. Always ask if the boat has a cooler and volunteer to bring the ice the next morning. If it's going to be a hot day, volunteer to bring a couple of extra bags for the live well. It will be appreciated by the boater and it's one less thing he has to worry about. Remember to have fun! I coanglered for two years and met a bunch of great guys!