Elite Series Co-Anglers

[Toadman]

Another advantage of having a co-angler on board (reffering to unsportsmanlike conduct) If I am not mistaken wasn't KVD disqualified last year for letting his co-angler drive the boat while he sight fished or was looking for bedding fish from the bow? I think it was a hoot to be a co-angler and many of the "PRO's" of today were once co-anglers who did well and went on to the next level, so the question could be made: Where is the next generation of "Pro's" going to be groomed into being able to compete at the highest level and learn how to treat fans, other competitors etc...? JMO

He was looking for bedding fish while the co-angler was driving and it was during practice not the tournament. I think the co-angler he was practicing with was his nephew. I remember reading about it when it happened. He didn't even get to start the tournament. Someone turned him in and he did not deny it when questioned. He said he did not even realize that the co-angler operation of the boat included the official practice period.
I think taking the co-anglers out of the Elites is a mistake but that is just my opinion.

[DJD]

The more that they regulate this series the closer they will become to being Elite. That in itself will cause many problems and negative attitudes towards these guys/BASS. They want to be untouchable? Well let them be. The fans make this sport always have and always will.
I love to fish for bass and at one time when I was younger I dreamed of doing that for a living but not anymore. Especially now with the cost of gas and equipment. I can see a potential decline in interest with these pro tournaments because of this. JMO

[offdtop]

He was looking for bedding fish while the co-angler was driving and it was during practice not the tournament. I think the co-angler he was practicing with was his nephew. I remember reading about it when it happened. He didn't even get to start the tournament. Someone turned him in and he did not deny it when questioned. He said he did not even realize that the co-angler operation of the boat included the official practice period.
I think taking the co-anglers out of the Elites is a mistake but that is just my opinion.

I agree, I like KVD, I kind of thought it was BS I was only referring to having a "co-angler" on board, if it wasn't for the amount of $$$ it requires I would have entered as many as I could for sheer knowledge alone, I have had the priviledge to fish with a few of the "big boys" and I learned alot merely about bait selection - those little things they DON'T share!!