Bassmaster Gets Rid Of Co-Anglers…Gives BS Excuse Why…

[@winstonrocco1981]

Ffs is the real reason they got rid of co anglers.

[@acme9538]

Bingo

[@mdoc140]

Exactly 💯

[@Tmann4437]

Yep

[@Co-anglerken]

Isn’t the co-angler the only ones buying tackle anymore? Lure companies can’t survive on minnow sales and jig heads.

[@donkimmel9375]

Yes the Everyday Angler is responsible for the majority of all Fishing related tackle sales.

[@acme9538]

Bassmasters press release on this was an insult…. I’m so done with that clown show.

[@BlobRob787]

It is a clown show. The people who own and run Bassmaster are clueless.

[@brianpierson7708]

@@BlobRob787yep just as clueless as these yuppies called co anglers. Who don’t have the common sense or knowledge to know the rules or fish hell you can catch fish throw a C-Rig and drag it all day with a 8’ rod I dump a 150 size spool and with the way the rules read they can not put you in the obese with no fish and can’t stop you from casting forward you have to be a man and step up know your rights and rules and don’t back down. In 45 years I have watched everything go to shit because of people scared, stupid, ignorant, or just plain out ignorant of the truth and facts

[@brianpierson7708]

I been dun with that shit show for 5 years now

[@glynnreid1217]

But BASS is still the best show in town.

[@Millennium-st5vs]

The fact they lied their ass's off over the topic proves who is making their decisions IS a huge problem for their future.

[@robertdtimmerman]

Only 1 thing will fix Bassmaster….Boycott their tournaments! All the pros complaining isn’t going to change a thing until Bassmaster is hit where it counts…..in their wallet.

[@dannyhardy878]

Randy- you’re 100% correct. I’ve heard it from every co-angler I’ve had in the past 3 years. At Dale Hollow- my second day coangler called me the night before- doing the where are we meeting, time, etc… Then he ask if I was using FFS- I said I have it, Im using it, but not its not part of my pattern. I ask him why he ask- he said he wasn’t going to float around out in the lake behind a guy again all day that was staring at a screen. I assured him I wasn’t doing that and I’m not going to do it- ever.

[@RileyKolich]

Pretty bummed to hear about this. I understand Pros would rather fish alone and maybe use FFS, however, while I fished as a Co for BASS I never felt the it was my place to complain about what my boater was doing. It's part of the gamble. It's part of learning to adjust!

[@glynnreid1217]

A co that gets it. Good head on your shoulders Riley.

[@dwainmorgan8550]

I wish solor bat would come out with a clip on for people that where prescriptions glasses.

[@af4od02]

Five years ago, Co-anglers had to pre register for all three events of a division and put down their deposit money to get a chance to participate. If you were lucky, and registered as soon as possible, you were in! Now, no one wants to participate. The fall off of co-anglers participation should be the true signal to BASS officials, that there are problems.

[@jacobjohnson-hr2ip]

Although I have no issues with FFS I completely agree that co angler interest has diminished because of it.

[@bucknuts8824]

Randy you made multiple videos hating on co-anglers. Pretty much saying co-anglers should just sit in the back of the boat and not try to win

[@mikewubben2844]

Yeah, he even said that a co-angler asked him what the plan was for the day so he could plan what to take along and Randy said it was none of his business. This fake outrage about dropping co-anglers is nothing more than Randy taking another opportunity to continue his endless whining about ffs.

[@tallonormond3460]

The only videos of his that get views are the ones of him complaining or hating 😂😂😂😂😴😴

[@Bdhgzz115buty]

BASS and MLF are doomed. Can’t compete with millions of KZbin videos every day. RIP Bass and MLF 😂

[@BassboatJoe]

@@mikewubben2844technically it isn’t their business. Not their boat, they aren’t making the payments, they aren’t paying insurance, they arnt paying the taxes,, and they arent paying them 100% of the gas for the truck nor the boat. So I don’t blame them. AS A PREVIOUS COANGLER, we have it made in these coangler tournaments. I’m a boater now, and endure those financial payments so I understand. We take the risk of traveling with the boat, coangler don’t. If you are a coangler, you are there to learn and for a backseat ride to try and win some money. If boater wants to keep his mouth shut, sucks, but so be it. Don’t complain. It’s not your boat LOL

[@mikewubben2844]

@@BassboatJoe which is exactly why I would never be a co-angler. Some pompous dude up front telling me it's not my business what I should bring on the boat for a day of fishing is BS. Co-anglers are spending money to enter and hours of their life to be out there too so it darn well IS their business regardless of who owns the boat. I guess it's too much trouble for some people to treat others with respect.

[@KennethLong-v8h]

Randy - I've been a big fan of yours since the early 80's. I always appreciated the way you fish. You will sink your boat or jump lay downs to win a tournament. That's what is missing in tournament fishing, plain ole hard work ethic. New anglers do not have to work near as hard to become pro anglers. No matter what time of year, no matter what what the weather is like, all they have to do is look down at the FFS CHEATER BOX to find fish. Accept it or not, this is the cold hard truth. Nobody should need a $100K bass boat with $5K worth of electronics to catch fish. Pro anglers and Co anglers should appreciate each other, because it is something that makes bass fishing tournaments such a unique sport. It is very obvious that the 'Politicians' at BASS hate the pro anglers, fans, and BASS members. They are selling their souls to the electronic companies and are for forgetting what made BASS so successful.

[@ThreeBoysFishing]

I knew the reason before even watching the video who wants to sit on the back of the boat in the middle of nowhere watching somebody catch fishing live scope what are you going to fan cast and hope you catch something. As far as a co-angler you’re there to learn not to win be respectful. It’s a learning experience for most once in a lifetime.

[@ronknight7863]

Bullshit. Alot of co anglers know how to fish and are out there to win. Most just can't afford a boat.

[@lightning2849]

They wanted to get rid of the co-anglers ! That’s why I don’t compete anymore ! Thanks Randy !

[@bobstoops7571]

I was a Marshall several years ago it was an amazing learning experience. I would not want to do it now behind someone using FFS there is nothing to learn.

[@glynnreid1217]

Closed minded people are that way.

[@jeb4836]

I don’t like all your whining but u are 100% correct on this.

[@eddiesheppard7124]

Well, I do agree with you on this one Randy I think you are 100% correct

[@andythebliss]

i was planning to start co-angling those events last year until I realized I didn’t want to spend all that money and get stuck on an FFS boat. Covid is the dumbest excuse I can think of.

[@JT.Angler7]

Old man yells at cloud.

[@MyLastCast]

The pros love it. They didnt want a co on their boat anyway...

[@moondog5553]

Bass fishing evolved into a commercial venture, driven by corporate interests to boost sales of gear and merchandise. Fishing was never meant to be competitive Fishing was originally a survival skill, not a sport, focused on sustenance rather than competition.

[@edwardcowan7012]

I find that in our very structured and scheduled lives that fishing a tournament trail forces you to get out of your comfort zone and try new things in new places. It also helps you meet people with similar interests. In my almost 50 years of tournament fishing I’ve fished hundreds of different bodies of water in 23 different states. What little I’ve won has helped to offset that. The club I fish with has 2 lakes I’ve never fished and 3 others I’ve only fished in tournaments on the 2025 schedule. It’s hard to drive past the lake that’s 3 miles from home that has good fishing to drive a couple hours to somewhere you’ve never been.

[@kalebbrewer4509]

No offense but Co-anglers belong in a fun league. Not the opens where guys are clawing to get to the elites

[@SpookyRedz]

How can the back of the boat compete with FFS ? They can not !

[@glynnreid1217]

The co anglers competes against other co anglers. Every tournament has a winner in the back of the boat. Every pro am circuit operates like this with or without FFS.

[@lgarcia831]

I've fished 136 BFLs in twenty years as a co-angler and I don't believe there should be co-anglers in semi-pro and pro circuits (Elites, Opens, BPT, Invitationals, Toyota Series or NPFL). Keep them in grassroot circuits like the BFLs and ABA America Fishing Tour. BASS and MLF should consider having team tournaments where the co can control the trolling motor and fish anywhere in the boat. The team would work together and not hinder each other. Also, the circuits would have that revenue. My two cents.

[@rickcordell6565]

Just makes it more elite

[@MelGiesbrecht]

How stupid does this 50 year old organization think The average angler is. It’s sad that they believe we are so gullible. Technology is inevitable but please BASS just call it what it is.

[@acme9538]

Yeah… they’re PATHETIC

[@glynnreid1217]

The sound of silence is coming out of every boats mouth now. Boaters are so happy now.

[@bfg1836]

I heard about one co-angler who was shafted by a pro who pulled his kill switch and couldn’t figure it out.

[@davidsedlacek3855]

That's absolutely hilarious. If ya know ya know.... 👍🏻

[@bamatim58]

This doesn’t happen very often but I 100% agree with you. Why would you fish with someone chasing open water fish when the guy in the front is intentionally keeping you off the fish? Fisherman should just stop completely supporting BASS and then see how long BASS last with just the pros supporting it.

[@tobyduff3584]

Oh my...that is two "make no mistake about it's" this week. You better slow it down...I hope your blood pressure medicine works.

[@chums101]

I don’t agree with you on several things but 100% spot on w everything in this video. During Covid fishing was about the only thing to do tackle isles were bare. Such a bs excuse. I used to fish a lot of co angler events but only do a handful now in a bfl division where livescope isn’t used as much.

[@slagletoby]

Video Killed the Radio Start in modern day technological form.

[@davidsedlacek3855]

Elites and Opens shouldn't have Co A. Thats why Bass nation is there!

[@jackdixon4530]

Thanks for the information! 🐟🐟🐟🐟

[@astrophysicistguy]

I'll bet the pros are all high giving each other over this one! No more whining co anglers to worry about in your boat all day

[@glynnreid1217]

FACT.

[@kylefulton8439]

They do have a program. It’s called the BASS nation.

[@1829Lola]

It is interesting they let the Co's sign up and pay. then cancel it. They had to have know months ago they were going to cancel it.

[@masonbrock984]

Lol against all the electronic direction. But sell those glasses to get better clarity lol

[@RobertAFarleyJr-jb9mk]

Apples and oranges

[@wciii3591]

I've said before, if I were a co-angler, I would just sit there and watch the pro. However, I wouldn't learn a dog gone thing by watching a guy looking at a TV screen.

[@brianpierson7708]

RANDY YOU NEED TO COME BACK TO EARTH!!!! You have dun gone way to far off to far Now. Just like the crybabies who think we should not eat bass and that’s why there are no big bass left. Not every bass will get big no matter what you feed them to for them or where they at.

[@PeterRice-lq8dz]

I agree it’s got nothing to do with Covid. What a bs excuse. Even before the new sonar problem , fishing as a coangler was tough. Most of the time you were back boated like hell.

[@kevinrevay4199]

who cares for the reasoning, they wasn't having a full field of co's the last couple years anyway. so some boaters would and wouldn't have co's. now its a level field for all boaters. co anglers "RIP"

[@Tmann4437]

I was reading that article and could not believe they blamed it on covid! What a joke Bassmaster is and always will be until they just get rid of FFS. I dont know anymore Randy, at least we have the NPFL

[@glynnreid1217]

Another circuit with no co anglers. How uninformed the general public is.

[@donkimmel9375]

The Toyota's are Advertised as a option for Triple-A Fishing. The five divisions feature reasonable travel and great fisheries, so there’s an option for just about everyone looking to get in on the action, be it on the pro side or as a *Strike King co-angler* Toyota and BFL Co-Angler Program is Sponsored by Strike King...The BFL Boater has to bring a CO for 2025 no boat on boat draws any more.

[@randymiller5008]

I agree 💯👍

[@Bassmaster1256]

So Solar Bat made some sunglasses for looking at your FFS?

[@glynnreid1217]

Your hate for co anglers have been passed with your hate for BASS. Fact.

[@RonEvans-d9n]

Randy you hated co anglers as much as any pro.

[@ericahlstrom9506]

Go pro's and KZbin have had bigger impact on co-anglers than FFS. You used to have to be a co angler to learn what the top guys were doing but now all you need to do is watch KZbin and watch what all the best guys did. It's like being a coangler in 20 boats at the same tournament. Why would anyone pay to learn less? FFS may be the nail in the coffin but it was not the main contributor. It was going down way before FFS.

[@user-iy6rz1eq9x]

Your the guy whobhates coangles make up your mind 😂😂😂

[@MichaelSonger-sz6tp]

For someone that is against electronics, I find it interesting that you are promoting equipment that enhances the ability to use electronics. Smh.. Will there ever be a time where you focus on content and teaching versus criticism and distain?

[@jessiepayne737]

They got rid of the wrong thing should have been FFS.

[@paulworley3527]

100% truth

[@DaleTomazin-i3j]

I thought you hated co-anglers.

[@donkimmel9375]

Randy do you think the BFL's, Toyotas should have no Co-Anglers???

[@ronknight7863]

Give them time. They will probably follow bass. All I know is without co anglers they are going lose out on alot of money.

[@donkimmel9375]

@@ronknight7863 They are going to further hurt the tackle industry. The Black Friday sales were HUGE...BOGO $10.00 crankbaits...Sales on Bait Cast Rods and Reels

[@christopherv26181]

I would fish tournaments if I didn't have to worry about co- anglers.

[@glynnreid1217]

If they did, Randy would be peeing in his pants.He hates co anglers.

[@Buddy1980]

Besides you can’t fish in the back of a boat with two damn power poles sticking up and 2 to 3 freaking GoPro’s on pedestals sticking up everywhere

[@DavidThane-q5p]

Good point

[@dwainmorgan8550]

NPFL will take over eventually, you watch.

[@ronknight7863]

Npfl doesn't have co anglers either

[@BobbyMartin-gu6wm]

Noo!

[@chrisl6733]

I have done the 0pens as a co. Since 2011.And have had the opportunity and luck to fish with 3wlite anglers and 2 classic champs. Yes FFS make it harder but it's the best learning I ever had. I always looked at it as the cheapest guide trip you can get Plugs if you're lucky you can make a buck. Yes BASS has shot themselves in the foot. It's going to hard to come back from this one

[@24bhyn]

I agree 100% Randy. FFS obviously affected this.

[@jaimeastin]

I have had livescope 1 and 2 since 2019. I got it to keep up and learn it, but always thought it was unfair. I dont use it much. It should be banned from peo tournaments. You are a pro for ehat you know... Not the tools

[@rodevans7214]

Well I've fished the co angler side since the top 150s, I've both fished and learned from some great guys and have been with some that I could have out fished, but if bass master gets rid of the co anglers than I think they're just going to shoot themselves in the foot. I know I would not want to fish with a spot lighter but really enjoyed fishing bass master events and financially the co angler side made it possible and probably for many other anglers and if they stop this program I may even cancel my membership.

[@renegade2325]

I fished alot of events as a co, every co angler complained about ffs being the issue in tournaments.

[@mikeonusko6050]

After 40 years ago as a BASS member I won't be renewing it, unless you make 6 figures a year you can't compete in this sport any longer. The members are what made Bass successful and the co angler entry was there for amatures. Without the grass roots they have nothing!

[@GaryMinckler]

I used to be a proud BASS member. Its totally irrelevent to me the last few years.

[@SergiusPaulus-1]

Co-anglers fishing with ffs pros should just use noisy top water plugs and buzzbaits in the back. Like whopper ploppers, which attract the most aggressive fish. Probably a throphy bass, lol.

[@MarkFields-by8qy]

I’m not a fan of co anglers in any event with a 1500 or higher entry fee. With Toyota Series would eliminate the Co Angler as well.

[@robertjakubicki2265]

Before FFS I would've recommended that a new angler join a bass club to learn how to fish. I'm not sure it's a good idea anymore.

[@bjmillerfishes]

Wonder if there's any chance a guy can still get in the opens. Would switch in a heartbeat.

[@glynnreid1217]

Call them. Your money is green.

[@bjmillerfishes]

@glynnreid1217 ha. I know. Figure it's already full. Will be on the phone Monday.

[@russwilliams484]

So, if they get rid of the co anglers, will they pair the pros together or will they fish by themselves?

[@ronfussell8244]

I always say this,an educated experienced co can fish all day in back without the alleged pro turning his head,unless he has ffs,then it's just a joy ride and try not to pee on the back of the boat.

[@scottminter4735]

Never understood the co angler situation. Does a prp basketball player have a co basketball player buy his side. Or a co pro fessional golfer.

[@glynnreid1217]

A lot of PGA events have pro-ams. Sorry to burst your bubble.

[@dwighthaberly1199]

Bassmasters made a decision it's their sandbox their rules. Don't like it don't play in their sandbox not hard to figure out. Hard part for Randy is to not cry about things that he has absolutely no control over.

[@DshaunBirch]

lol they danced around the real reason like we even saw the amazing angler and sweetest person ever kristine fischer say fishing behind a scooper sucked and she’d never do it again

[@gregarmstrong6798]

Sorry Randy, no one is going to pay $ to just sit in the back of the boat and watch another guy catch fish, especially on FFS. The only way co-anglers works is in the shared weight format. Essentially, turning it into a team tournament. It has worked great out west in the WON circuits. It gets rid of the "back-seating" for the most part, and makes it more participatory for the co-angler.

[@lemkodude3266]

As a Co w/70+ events, I'll no longer be signing up for a full season b/c of FFS and the next level of heightened emotionalities of Boaters, with or w/o FFS, it has created. Like RB said, being a Co isn't fun like it was B4 FFS and my last Regional in '24 was the last straw. I'll miss vying for Regionals but Cos may likely convince themselves to buy their own boat, but only for recreation and maybe to jackpot an occasional (BB) tournament.

[@glennneal4717]

You go Randy' tell the truth brother Ray Scott is turning over in his grave . They are causing us regular fisherman to leave bassmaster completely.

[@jebbohanan2626]

I can not call someone a “Bass Master”, when they use technology to show them the fish. It’s like using the APP for a store and having your order delivered to your door.

[@NMTCCT]

I did some sampling on "Non Boaters" at the end of this years season, out of a few tournaments I looked for the FFS sonar anglers and I looked at what NON Boater was assigned to them and then the second day of fishing I would see who the Non Boater was assigned with, any one of them who drew two days of FFS anglers they did not make a paycheck at all, those who had a FFS angler one of the two days less the 10 percent made money. You can see the drop in Non boaters participation from the time FFS was introduced into the pro fishing organizations. So I will not say that COVID did not have an impact but the biggest was why pay for entry fees and walk away with ZERO money back. I would think if I was a Non boater how much fun that would NOT be fishing with a FFS Angler. The FFS anglers was complaining because the non boaters attitudes on the boat while fishing, I wonder why?

[@andygullion5182]

There is no mystery. Garmin has a multi year deal with Bassmaster. FFS will continue to influence their decisions, as the endeavor to influence the acceptance of FFS. Corporate Backscratch.

[@mikereilly5205]

I predicted this 2 years ago, even a fool could see it coming since FFS is ruining the sport and, now, the "way in to full time angling" for many in the past has been shut down.

[@LMBOUTLAW]

I understand what the lure manufacturers are upset--all you need is a FFS and a drop shot with a fake minnow attached to compete. Need to get back to electronics for depth and temperature all that should be allowed.

[@Schnazola]

What can a co-angler learn from someone in the bow who's looking down at his feet?

[@johndoran7331]

Co anglers are not needed. No "Pro" wants a "CO"... if they are really being honest. Chit... I've listened and liked many of your vids about your bad interactions with CO's. Once again....Click bait. Be careful what you with for.... with out this "stance" you have taken; your not relevant with current baits and techniques. Viewership will plummet.

[@ScottCooperOutdoors]

Nobody wants to pay money to be stuck out in 60ft of water with nothing to throw at.

[@vernonhearn2724]

They gonna miss us when we’re gone, that’s FACT!

[@Selleg22]

Do you ever have anything positive to say?

[@myownlane8409]

This is a terrible decision for the sport. Many pros started on the coangler side. I actually met you at the Open on Pickwick a few years ago when I fished my 1st Open as a coangler. I haven’t fished one in the last couple of years because of FFS. If they want FFS so bad that they’ll sink the ship because of it, let it go down. It’s sad to those of us used to support them. I use to record their shows but now they’re unwatchable for those of us that want to learn.

[@johnsamsky6253]

BASS will be out of business in less than five years. Ray Scott is rolling over in his grave.

[@jeffwerth2707]

Cost cutting measures - maybe sponsorship $$ has dropped. Be interesting to see how NPFL and their anti FFS stance does

[@edwardcowan7012]

Other than returning to the pro on pro draw format I don’t see how they can police these events. 80% of the anglers at a BASS open are just club/bfl level guys with nicer boats. 225 paid observers wouldn’t be cost effective. I always thought that the draw format resulted in better sportsmanship. If you didn’t play nice everyone knew it and you were going to have a bad day every day.

[@chriseisele9969]

Ray Scott turning over in his grave faster than your prop going flat out

[@bobwalsh719]

Un F*kin believable!

[@caseysaunders2137]

The only option a co angler has in deep open water to jig a spoon. They don't need to fish with a pro to do that.

[@TracyWMitchell]

A coangler could literally take a nap behind a spotlighter

[@motherlodebassin5369]

I want Bassmaster off our public lakes!!! Toirnff do me by belong on private waters. Period.

[@fishnwiz]

They would rather allow cheaters to use livescope then listen to co angler's complain. FACT

[@FrankDattilio]

Bassmaster is cutting off the feed for future pros. Im sure every existing pro started out on the back of a pro boat in the lower tier tournaments then stepped up to the opens.

[@rickwalter9509]

what now you like co anglers

[@glynnreid1217]

Hypocrisy at it's finest. The true Randy at heart.

[@kenjohnston2426]

They lost me when the started letting guys drive 300 hp motors. Screw safety, take the money from the manufacturers. Now it’s ffs, taking the true skill out of catching fish. Follow the money every change they make. Very disappointing.

[@kensharpless4753]

250 hp is max.

[@kenjohnston2426]

@ My error, that’s better than 300 but still too fast.

[@TracyWMitchell]

Yet another FFS fallout.

[@Buddy1980]

Ray Scott made this fun! And it gave guys a sample of tour life to maybe become a full Time pro, not no more