Question for Pros

[Kelly Jeffers]

Speaking As a Idiot pro, or A "JackAss" not really sure about it today I'll ask my wife later, Now I paid 54,000,00 for my Boat well its not a boat its a Ranger everything else is a boat, WOw 30years fishing that is a long time! I got about five years,in If I had that much time in I'd be the super stick God!! As for me being the Idiot pro its not very easy I dont know how to drive so I drive like I stoled it, but that was well over 36months ago, so I'm clear to fish now, but that is a story for later, now I have spent alot of $$$$ just to fish, now how is an am gona get on a pros boat and tell him how it is? I would ask you to put your self in the pros spot how would you want you boat,and all to be treated by some random who is on your everything for a few hours of a day????

[L.Hackney]

Hollywood,
do you use a synthetic oil? Sounds like the same stuff I'm using for my rude.... That stuff sucks the money rite out of your wallet

[Mike Baskett]

This has been an interesting thread of going back and forth. I've never fished a "pro-am" format, so whoever wants to jump on this as being a non-qualifying post, go ahead. I have, however, fished out of some very nice new boats my tournament partners have. As a guest in their boat, I would...
1. Treat it as my own equipment(which I take very good care of, if you don't, then take care of it better). This includes pushing away from protruding nail heads or warning of impending grevious contact with rocks or other damaging hazards.
2. Try hard to avoid whacking the motor or widshields or anything on the boat with a chunk of hard metal or plastic bait...oh and watch the hooks around the seats.
3. Clean pee dribbles off the gelcoat, but not theirs...they'll think you a bit strange reaching down in front like that.
4. Be Johnny on the spot with the net and know how to do it right (this is a two way street, in my opinion).
5. Have fun and enjoy the day. Even if the fishing was tough, how many people are actually blessed enough to go bass fishing in a nice bass boat, tournament or not.

Now, like I said, the vast majority of my tournament time has been spent in the boat with a chosen partner. We are friends, we fish similar styles, we converse and have a blast on the water, even while being very intense and competative tournament-speaking. So now I get into the area of limited or no credentials.

In the "Pro/Am" format, the above listing still apply. I may raise the ire of some folks here, but with a handful of exceptions, most "Pros" in the west do not make a living in the bass fishing industry. Most have, however, been blessed with good careers, good inheritances, good rich relatives, good intelligence, good competitive spirit, good decision making, good taste in an expensive hobby, or a combination of some the above. They all take their tournament fishing at various levels of "seriousness". I would venture to say the same can be said about most "Ams". So in most cases, there is very little difference between most pros and ams, other than how much they are willing to spend for a tournament experience, and what role they want to play. Plenty of ams probably have bass boats and I'm sure some of them are extremely accomplished anglers. As for choosing your role, you can't always pick who you sit next to in an airplane, or stand next to in an elevator, but if that unknown bothers you so much, rent a car or take the stairs or, in tournaments, fish team events.

It's a day on the water bass fishing. You knew the format when you forked down the dough, both sides. I would think Ams...
1. Limit the amount of tackle you take to your confidence baits for the location. But have some diversity in that box so you can adapt.
2. Be respectful of the pros water and bait selection, don't tell others. This is a two way street because a wise pro knows that there are some excellent ams out there who's input is worthy of consideration.
3. Offer 50 dollars for the ride expenses on then big bodies of water. Any pro worth the"pro" moniker will give back what he deems to be an overpayment.
4. Thank them for the day on the water.

I guess as a rule for both parties, we all have a responsibility to the sport itself. If someone is being unlawful, unethical, or does something that can clearly be articulated as unsportsmanlike, it is our responsibility as tournament bass anglers to bring the incident to the attention of the correct officials in a "professional" manner. Blasting pros or ams on this forum doesn't do anything constructive, except for constructing long threads of bickering and long rambling posts from lurkers.

[bahlzar]

please see the second post on this thread....Did i call it or what!!!

[Calistar]

bahlzar wrote:

please see the second post on this thread....Did i call it or what!!!

You nailed it. Anytime this subject comes up, it inevitably turns into a hot topic.
Good Call Bahl-stradamus...

[K9Cop]

Hey Kelly! Your going to tell me how to fish because you bought a boat!

Man im ROTFLMFAO Man my stomach hurts from that one.

[K9Cop]

In all honesty guys, im a decent guy and love fishing with whoever. It dont matter as its all good. I like pokin fun at the boat owners cause they take too seriously.

You guys take these forums way to seriously. Man talk about pullin some chains here.

Now I would understand if ya all was making 500K a year fishing as this is your job but I dont think anyone here is anywheres close to that from fishing.

Alot of you guys are real good pros and hope to fish with ya. Hell I hope I draw ya. I would love to see ya win a boat.

I dont know squat here and am just a rookie checkin out who has the attitudes here.

I will say I am tellin the truth I have been nailing 12 -14 lb bags for 6 days and hopefully wih the storm comming in I will bag much larger fish to help out my pro.

I apologize if I have pissed you off it was not my intent.

[sTony]

Hi K9,

I know you've taken your fair share of 'it' in this thread but as a rookie pro fishing this tournament it was easy to take what you said to heart and I'd thank you for having the balls to state it publicly.

That being said I have in mind how I'll deal with the lake but I'm looking at this tournament to fish each day with my am as a team. Fact is if I draw you or any other local I'm much more likely to hear you out on the what's, where's and how's. I've prefised the last couple weeks and frankly I'm dying to get back up there tomorrow as I'm still not on 'winning fish'. I suffered a motor problem on Sunday that had me off the water early in the morning and I really needed that day on the lake.

Beings that I have a job, 4 kids and live here on the Delta, I can't possibly have been on the lake anymore then the days I've been there so far so I'm definitely going to take into account what my fishing partner for the day has to say about how he's doing and where.

Again, that being said, we have a front moving in rapidly that will likely change things up and I'm hoping that my am draw is perpared for tht despite how well hes done in his pre-fish.

Well, I'm hoping to pick up the boat today, pack up everything I'll need to and be out on the lake early tomorrow morning.

Best of luck to all that fish!

sTony

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

You wrote a good posting, much better than my hot headed response. I am trying to be more like you but am finding that old sayings get to be old sayings because they are true.
"You cant teach an old dog new tricks" is the one that comes to mind in this situation.

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

I know my limitations and as a result of that fact I have gone back to fishing the back of the boat.
I had a lot more fun there and met some great guys and have some great memories of being a back seater.
And yes you are 100% right I am a guy with an attitude. My main attitude is that no one should bad mouth anyone else or call anyone an idiot while hiding behind the veil of anonymity

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

I also have had some great practice days and lousy tournaments.
I was really only tryiong to say that as an Am treating the pros in a disrespectful manner is not the way to get them to pay attention to your patterns.
You need to get them to develope a respect for your abilities. They are totally aware that there are some great fishermen among the backseaters. When it becomes known that you are one of them, many of them will seek your advice while you are waiting for the blast off.
Sometimes it is very frustrating to have knowledge of how and where to catch fish and not have the pro do those things that you know or think will work. When this happens you just have to call it the luck of the draw and get on with your life.
Yes there are som pros who will have less knowledge and experience than you. But just remember you can also learn what not to do from those guys as well.
I once drew Mike Reynolds on Clearlake, even the best fishermen have bad days. This was one of Mikes. Becauise Mike was not on the fish that day I learned every place he had ever caught a fish and every method that he had used on that lake. If he had been catching fish I might have only learned one place, perhaps two

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

It is a bet I am willing to make.
I will bet him a thousand that he cant win this tournament from the front of the boat. He will have to sign up as a pro and go thru the draw process like everyone else

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

several pros have given me the front seat. While fishing as a pro I have given several Ams the front seat, and have offered it to some who would not take it.
On Game day I consider the Pro and the Am to be a team for the day. At the start of the day I want the Am to fish something different than I am. If he starts catching fish I will change. If I start catching fish I will ask him to try what I am doing. Most of the pros that I have fished with have taken that same attitude.

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

The bet is that you cant win this tournament as a pro from the fromt of your boat or a borrowed boat.
Since it is too late for you to siogn up as a pro I will extend the bet offer to the next AC at the Delta in May. or to Oroville next year if you prefer.
How about we let sTony hold the stakes

[Barry Watson]

Well, I'm 69 now and have fished for Bass since I was 10 years old. In fact I fished twice last week so I'm not slowing down. Funny thing though, when I was a young man, stuff did not bother me but I have grown progressively meaner as I have aged. Whats up with that? Don't have anything to prove to anyone anymore. Several years ago I got upset over something, picked up three Loomis Glx rods and shimano reels and tried to beat the bottom out of my parners boat. When that did not work, I threw them in the lake. My pard, a good Christian Guy calmly laid down his rod. Walked back to me, calmed me down and started fishing my equipment out of the lake. I still use the equipment ( a good testimonial to the tackle) and still have the same partner. ( a good testimonial to his character.) Whats my point? If your am is an older dude watch out. LOLOLOL He might even sic his dog on you. LOLOLOLOL

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

Why dont we plan a day on the water. I will let you take the front.
at least half of the time

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

There is an old saying that is totally true

"IT'S A TERRIBLE SHAME THAT YOUTH IS WASTED ON YOUNG PEOPLE"

[Fishin' Dave]

Jim, Are you going for face time here?

You can bunch replies to multipal posters in one post. STony is going to run out of room! HA!

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

You have a little over 350 posts more than I do in the same amount of time. So what is it that you think I am doing? I guess I need to get busy if I going to win the posting tournament. It nice to know that someone reads my stuff.
If you fish the AC at Oroville look me up and say hello.

[Mike]

K9,

Save this thread, fish for a couple of years, then go back and re-read it. You will get it then.

Your just coming out of the gate a little hot! Slow down a little and take it all in. You'll see.


I did!

[350V RGR]

Hey Bryant,


I am not a Pro, But if I were a Pro, I would ask you to go to FLW.com's front page, On the bottom of the page (Left side)you will see. (Co-Angler Clinic) Click on one of the topics and you will notice on the right side of that page. A list of alot more Co-Angler topics that will help you understand what is expected of you and what to expect in a Tournament.

Good Luck this year,

Will Mathers

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

It was the comments about idiots that fired me up

[cLanderman]

There is a link to some articles on bottom of the FLWoutdoors.com page Called the Co-Angler clinic (represented by a medical cross) There are about 5 or 6 articles regarding different preperations/aspects of the co-angler environment including to-do and not-to-dos.

I found the articles very informative and much of what I have read throughout this thread was just repetitive of those articles. If you are a new tournament angler about to embarq on the Am side, I would suggest sitting down and reading these.

-Chris

[JT-Madera]

Damn Conlow I was almost equal with you on posts and you went and gained thirty on this one subject...I also think Tony should combine all those extras into one or two.. Don't you just love being old like us so you don't have to apologize to anyone younger It sure is funny that the older we get the crankier we get...We all still love you guy...

JT

[Fishin' Dave]

We used to have a posting contest here. I think Jim is trying to catch that magic 1000

[Hollywood]

Ah Jim, I read all of Old Man Conlows post. You never know what you will get and sometimes there great information in there.

That day on clear lake, I wish you eyes were better than mine... Then I wouldnt have wasted that time on a lake record CRAPPIE...

You have a little over 350 posts more than I do in the same amount of time. So what is it that you think I am doing? I guess I need to get busy if I going to win the posting tournament. It nice to know that someone reads my stuff.
If you fish the AC at Oroville look me up and say hello.

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

And the count is only from 2005. In addition to that they used to delete about 75 % of my posts until I started mellowing out and become such a pussycat.
Im telling you its going to give me stroke or something being such a nice guy and not saying what I really want to say.
This political correctness and diplomacy crap really sucks

[Fishin' Dave]

...and the Children Jim. You made sure we needed to be clean for the kids. So, bite your tounge

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

If you had taken my advice and gambled that the weigh master wouldnt have known the difference. Any way it was one of my most memorable days on the water.

Its hard to fly with eagles when you are a turkey HAR

[Hitman]

Each Pro has his/her own boat rules. Ask them at the partner pairing meeting. Understand what they allow and don't allow in their boat. Ask what it is you can do to help out. Be open minded and prepared to learn even in a less than desireable conditions.

Have fun with it!


Hitman

[Bill kizer]

I’m getting really concerned here. Rules, regulation, how much is to much, heaven forbid I drip and don‘t notice.
I need help.
On top of that, I just got back from Clear Lake, as usual I can‘t catch fish there unless a beautiful bikini clad beauty is in the back of the boat.
So, I get home and start packing for my venture again into the scary world of the co-angler. How much is to much?
I rig up a jig pole, a crank bait pole, a drop shot pole, and a sinko pole. Cool only 4 poles even Hubspinner wouldn‘t complain.
Now I go through my hard baits; I narrow it down to 7. Seven is my lucky number, too cool.
Now the plastics, tackle, balance beam, pliers, and measuring board, can‘t forget the scent.
All is said and done everything in two small tackle bags.
I load every thing in my truck and proudly display my work to my wife. That was a biggggggggggggggg mistake.
She goes back to my boat and says, “why don’t you need these other eight or so other rods you said were necessary to catch a fish, what about these other boxes of hard baits, bag upon bag of plastics“.
Then she goes on, why do you even need a boat if you can fish out of a perfect strangers boat for 2 days for $200 and not have to pay taxes, license, registrationâ€

[Hollywood]

Ah Jim,

Maybe I should have taken your advice and weighed in that fish. Maybe they wouldn't have known the difference. I just couldnt hold that one up for a photo.

I tell them boys here who hardly speak english the story and they crack up...... Something I will always remember and one of the most memorable days on the water for me as well... Sometimes I just feel stupid. lol

You calling me a turkey?

If you had taken my advice and gambled that the weigh master wouldnt have known the difference. Any way it was one of my most memorable days on the water.

Its hard to fly with eagles when you are a turkey HAR

[Lance]

Thats funny Bill

[Colebass]

you would know to NEVER and I mean NEVER show your wife your tackle!

Your just looking for a lecture, questions, comments or a fight!

Ladies, I'm just kidding..........

Bill, you going to the oroville Pro/Am?

[Hollywood]

Ah Bill, you trapped yourself there. You can never let her know just how much your spending and why. Need to say something like you had to play rock paper siscors to see whos boat your taking and you lost!

Kevin

[Bill kizer]

I'll be at Oroville as a co-angler I just hope my dry spell on the lake is over and I can catch a few larger fish.

That's a good idea Hollywood.