Most Like New Format
Pros Say No Cos Boosts Elites' Professionalism

Friday, July 18, 2008   by:Bassfan.com
 

Photo: ESPN Outdoors Some of the co-anglers who've fished with Alton Jones have become his good friends, but he still thinks removing them from the Elite Series is a positive move for the sport.

The Bassmaster Elite Series will become a full-fledged professional sports circuit in 2009. That's how many Elite anglers view it, anyway, in the wake of BASS' announcements Wednesday at the ICAST show in Las Vegas.

In addition to revealing the 2009 and 2010 Elite schedules, the organization announced that co-anglers will be eliminated next year and replaced by observers (details on that program are forthcoming at a later date). Many fans are unhappy that they'll no longer have the opportunity to fish alongside some of the best bass-catchers in the world, but the anglers view it as a leveling of the playing field and a move that aligns the Elite Series closer to other professional sports.

After all, not all co-anglers are created equal, and no matter what they do from the back of the boat, they have an effect on a pro's day on the water. Some are highly skilled and ultra-competitive and catch fish that otherwise would've ended up on the pro's side of the livewell. Others just want to learn a few things by watching and will make relatively few casts throughout the day, leaving all the quality fish to the guy who's trying to earn a living with a rod and reel.

Another announcement was a move to a Wednesday-through-Saturday format for the front end of some back-to-back tournaments with a substantial drive between venues (it'll be instituted three times over the next 2 seasons). That will give anglers who make the Top 12 in the first of those two events a full travel day and won't cut into their practice time for the second tournament.

Also, a 2009 event at northern Michigan's Big Bay de Noc and Little Bay de Noc that could produce gargantuan bags of smallmouths, and a 2010 return to the hawg factories of California (Clear Lake and the Delta) were announced. BassFan asked some top-level Elite anglers for their opinions on all of these developments, and their answers appear below.

Alton Jones

> On the elimination of co-anglers – "I think it's a positive move for the sport, and it doesn't eliminate the opportunity for people to go with us and learn. I believe that in an observer situation the educational opportunity is even better. This creates further separation from some of the other trails.

"I haven't talked to a single Elite angler who's anti-co-angler on a personal level. Over the years, some of the people who fished out of the back of my boat have become some of my best friends. This is just a format change and it's strictly a fishing thing."

> On Wednesday-Saturday tournaments – "That's absolutely a good idea because as it is now, you're sort of penalized for making the Top 12 and put at a disadvantage as far as practice for the next one."

> On the northern Michigan event – "I think that's an untapped fishery that hasn't received a lot of tournament pressure, and I like the fact that there are three northern tournaments next year. The schedule will be really spread out as far as fishing styles and when you're talking about the Angler of the Year, it'll be nice to see that come into play. It's going to require more versatility than ever."

> On the return to California – "I'm really looking forward to it. Living in Texas, whether I go east or west, the drive isn't a lot different. I love the Western terrain and the way those lakes fish. There are giant bass just waiting to be caught."

Greg Hackney

> On the elimination of co-anglers – "I think the sport took a huge step forward by doing that because that was without a doubt one of the biggest problems we had. You couldn't really legitimize it until you got the co-angler out. No other pro sport had that, and this one has now come to a full professional standing."

> On Wednesday-Saturday tournaments – "I think that's a little better anyway and I think maybe they should all be that way. That way you'd only have 12 guys out there on Saturday. The man that works all week and wants to go to the lake on the weekends, he has as much right to be there as we do. We fish for a living, so we could start on Monday."

> On the northern Michigan event – "I'm kind of excited even though I don't know anything about it – I couldn't tell you what it's going to be like. But I like going places I've never been before."

> On the return to California – "It's a fun place to fish – the fish are giant and you get to see a different part of the country. I think we've got great schedules for both upcoming seasons."

Photo: ESPN Outdoors Aaron Martens won an event in his native California last year, and he's looking forward to going back in 2010.

Aaron Martens

> On the elimination of co-anglers – "I prefer it from a sports aspect and I think having observers instead is a good idea – people can learn more from the pros if they're not actually fishing. But I understand it's going to make some people mad, and I feel bad about that.

"I've had very few problems with my co-anglers over the years, but there are some who are aggressive and if you miss a fish, they'll cast right in there and try to get it. I've had some instances where it hurt me – everybody has."

> On Wednesday-Saturday tournaments – "As long as it's still a 3-day practice, then it's fine. But if it went to a 2-day practice on a lake that was unfamiliar to most people, that would be unfair."

> On the northern Michigan event – "I think that's going to be awesome. Anytime there's a change like that, I like it.

> On the return to California – "I'm a California guy, so I like it anytime I get to go home."

Kevin VanDam

> On the elimination of co-anglers – "No doubt, I think it's really good for the pros. We all wanted the most level playing field we can get, and this is what we needed to accomplish that. Now with that said, I can see why some people are disappointed. When it comes right down to it, people resist change.

"Is it going to hurt the sport? No, I don't think so. From a competitive standpoint, it's better to have observers. I have some friends who are very good co-anglers, and I know they're disappointed, but it's not like they don't have anyplace to fish. There's still the Opens, FLW and any number of trails."

> On Wednesday-Saturday tournaments – "I think that's important so that some people aren't at a disadvantage. And another thing, it gives BASS the opportunity to have back-to-back events at places that are maybe 8 hours apart. Before, anything that was beyond 6 hours created real problems."

> On the northern Michigan event – "I've never been up there and fished, but my dad and brother have been up there in the spring during the spawn and its real popular. It's like (fishing Lake Erie out of Buffalo), though – it's a great place to fish, but not for a tournament because the weather will kill you. I've been fishing rough water a long time, but I still get beaten up by those 6- and 8-foot waves.

"The funny thing is that I'll probably be considered a local, and even for me it's about a 9-hour drive."

> On the return to California – "I love the fishing out there, but I'm sure not looking forward to that drive. But with that being said, to have a true professional circuit you can't just fish lakes in the Southeast or in one region and call it the Elite Series. Overall, I think the upcoming schedules are pretty good, but I'd like to see a few more places we'd never been to, or at least not in awhile."

Brent Chapman

> On the elimination of co-anglers – "I look at it both ways. One, I'm excited because I think on a professional level it'll really change things. The part I hate is my dad often fished as a co-angler and it gave him and I the opportunity to get out together (during practice). I'm hoping that he'll still be able to practice with me and come to some tournaments.

"It'll take some of the pressure off us. The majority of co-anglers are good and considerate, but there's a handful who push things and it makes us fish differently. On the other hand, I've benefited – and everybody has – from a co-angler who figures out the bait for us. This will make it tougher in that respect, but that's fine and that's the way it needs to be."

> On Wednesday-Saturday tournaments – "I think that's great because the guys who make the Top 12 in the first tournament won't be penalized. You shouldn't have to give up practice time or risk your life by driving dead-tired."

> On the northern Michigan event – "It should be awesome – I've heard it's loaded with smallmouths. Every year I think I've fished everywhere we could possibly go, and then they throw a new one out there. I like it."

> On the return to California – "I'm excited about it, even though gas prices scare me to death. I was actually a little disappointed that we didn't go there this year."

Photo: ESPN Outdoors Like most Elite Series pros, Todd Faircloth believes the playing field will be more level without co-anglers.

Todd Faircloth

> On the elimination of co-anglers – "I think it makes for a more level playing field for the pros. It's not fair for one guy to draw a guy who's not a very good angler and for another guy to get somebody who's way above average."

> On Wednesday-Saturday tournaments – "I definitely like that idea. If you fish on Sunday, it's really hard to start practice on Monday and end up having an efficient practice."

> On the northern Michigan event – "I don't know anything about it, but I've talked to a few guys who said it's a real good smallmouth water. I'm looking forward to seeing something new."

> On the return to California – "I love fishing out there – those are two of the better lakes we'll fish. It's a long haul, but it's worth it once we get there."

Tim Horton

> On the elimination of co-anglers – "I think it's a positive move for BASS to do that. I know BASS looks at the co-angler as an important component, as we do, because we know those are the guys who buy the lures and buy the tackle. But to come up to the level that BASS has tried to create with the Elites, it's important to have as few outside influences as possible that can affect the outcome of the events."

> On Wednesday-Saturday tournaments – "I always like it when the majority of the days are through the week because that means less competition on the most important day, and this will be a big help. I also think it's important that they gave us a schedule for 2 years because it makes it easier to book shows and filming and things like that. It's a good step for the whole industry."

> On the northern Michigan event – "I have friends who've filmed up there who say it's a good place, and those northern trips are ones I look forward to every year."

> On the return to California – "I hope gas prices are back down by then, but the fishing out there is very good and I don't mind going. There are a lot of fans out there, and it's important that we get out that way every couple years or so."

John Crews

> On the elimination of co-anglers – "It's going to be a really great change – people aren't going to realize until 3 or 4 years down the road how big it'll be for moving the sport forward. There are no other pro sports where you have an amateur competing alongside the pro. This will help legitimize it for the mainstream fans."

> On Wednesday-Saturday tournaments – "It's great because it gives you that day for traveling and getting set up at the next event. Especially for the guys who have fifth-wheel trailers and things like that, it takes quite a bit of time to get set up."

> On the northern Michigan event – "I think it'll be fun. It's a place I've never been to before, and I love going to new places."

> On the return to California – "Oh yeah, I'm really looking forward to that. Those are phenomenal fisheries that are unlike any other. They're experiences that you talk about for years and they make great TV shows."

Shaw Grigsby

> On the elimination of co-anglers – "I think it'll make competition a lot more even, but I don't know if it's necessarily good for the sport. I always thought it was unique and a great thing that amateur non-boaters got to fish with the likes of a VanDam, a Klein or a Clunn. I was fortunate enough to fish with a number of guys back in the Invitationals, and those are days I remember every minute of.

"But at the same time, there are (co-anglers) who will catch a bunch of the fish the pros are on, and others who won't catch any of them. So from a professional sports standpoint, it'll make things more even.

> On Wednesday-Saturday tournaments – "That's okay with me. I love back-to-back tournaments and I wish we had more of them."

> On the northern Michigan event – "From what I've heard, that place is loaded with giant smallmouths. It could be incredible."

> On the return to California – "I love it because every time I go out there I know I have a chance to catch the biggest bass of my lifetime. Those are tremendous fisheries and I'm really looking forward to it."

Denny Brauer

> On the elimination of co-anglers – "I've enjoyed my co-anglers over the years and a lot of them have turned into good friends, and I've shared their excitement when they've caught a good fish. But in trying to get the sport to the next level, this is probably the correct move.

"I hope it's not perceived as a big negative – co-anglers are still needed, and the Opens are a great place for them. A lot of tremendous anglers fish the Opens, including a lot of the Elite guys. And people will still have a chance to get a ringside seat (with the Elite anglers) where they can pick up little subtleties that they can't pick up if they're trying to catch fish themselves.

"In terms of fish management, this will make a big difference. And having all of your livewell space available for five fish instead of 10 will certainly make fish care easier."

> On Wednesday-Saturday tournaments – "As long as we have the same amount of practice time, I don't have a problem with it. I hate to see guys penalized for having success."

> On the northern Michigan event – "I don't get into that part of the world much. so I guess I'm looking forward to it. Smallmouth tournaments are always fun, but I'm a heavy-cover, dirty-water fisherman and I don't want to start thinking about smallmouths too far ahead of time."

> On the return to California – "I absolutely love the Delta and I had a decent event there last time (in 2006). I had a horrible event at Clear Lake – I'd done pretty well the time before (2003) and I thought I was going to go back and whack them, but I ended up getting misled with some information and I fished the event pretty stupid.

"The only negative is it's a long way to drive, but it's a positive when you get there."

Photo: BassFan Mike Iaconelli has mixed feelings about the elimination of co-anglers because he used to be one himself.

Mike Iaconelli

> On the elimination of co-anglers – "I have mixed emotions about it. I believe at the very top level of professional fishing there shouldn't be a co-angler, so that part I like. The part I don't like is I really cut my teeth as a co-angler – back in college I fished for a few years as an amateur, and that helped me get to where I am now."

> On Wednesday-Saturday tournaments – "That doesn't affect me at all. I've always had someone traveling with me – for years it was my uncle and now it's my girlfriend – so I've always had help with the driving. And besides, whenever I make a (Top 12) cut, I'm all pumped up afterward."

> On the northern Michigan event – "I like to fish new places and I'm always excited to see something new on the schedule."

> On the return to California – "I love that – I'm slightly disappointed that we're not going there next year. I have a personal vendetta because I didn't do so well there last time, but it's some of the best fishing in the country."

Jeff Kriet

> On the elimination of co-anglers – "Honestly, that's the best thing that's happened since I've been fishing, and I don't mean that with any disrespect to the co-anglers. But for us to fish at the top level, there's no way we can have a co-angler in the boat and make it right.

"Every day we fish we're affected by the co-anglers – it might be positive and it might be negative. It took a lot of guts for BASS to do this, and it was the right thing to do."

> On Wednesday-Saturday tournaments – "That's fine – I don't have any problem with it."

> On the northern Michigan event – "I'm all for fishing new places. In fact, I wish we had 11 new tournaments every year and that we never went back to the same place twice – a 5-day tournament with no info and no practice. It'd be about people getting less help and doing it on their own."

> On the return to California – "Those are great fisheries and I've done real well there both times I've been. I just hope gas isn't $8.50 a gallon by then. Going out there every other year or so is good – it keeps the California guys from crying so much."

Ish Monroe

> On the elimination of co-anglers – "I think it's awesome. This sets the Elite Series apart from every other tournament circuit. This is one more step toward less worrying about someone impacting the outcome of an event."

> On Wednesday-Saturday tournaments – "It's good. It means if you do make the Top 12, you're not going to have to miss any practice time."

> On the northern Michigan event – "I have family up there and I've heard that place is awesome. You could see guys weigh 100 pounds of smallmouths over 4 days, and you might need 18 to 20 pounds a day just to make the Top 50."

> On the return to California – "I can't wait (he's a California resident). When we get back out here, the game will be on."