Co-Anglers.com, my vision made reality – the beginning
It’s 2010, I was introduced to fishing by some co-workers. On a dare, I told them that I was going to compete in a national tournament and place in the top 100 with no experience. While this finish may not seem impressive, I had only fished a hand full of times over a few months and really didn’t know the in’s and out’s of tournament fishing. I registered for the B.A.S.S. Northern Opens, packed up my family and my cheap gear, and made the trip from Florida to New York for my first ever tournament experience. I made the top 100 in 76th place.
So what does all of this have to do with Co-Anglers.com?
The more I fished, the more I saw success as a co-angler. By my 4th tournament, I was in the money. One thing that I have noticed in every tournament that I fish, there is a long line of athletes that I must compete against. Some have been fishing for months and are new to the sport, while others have been competing in this sport for years and have a vast knowledge of what to do to be successful and in the money.
In every tournament, only the professional anglers really get a large amount of recognition. In previous years, co-anglers were permitted to compete in higher level tournaments such as the Bassmaster Classic. It is very rare that you see an amateur fisherman be promoted or featured by an organization as a top competitor.
“…packed up my family and my cheap gear, and made the trip from Florida to New York for my first ever tournament experience.” – Tomas Gomez
After fishing for more than 9 years, I for one have been able to witness co-anglers showing to the industry that they can fish as good or sometimes even better then their counter parts, the Pro-Angler. Since I have started to fish, I have met some of the best professional athletes in this great sport. But the reality of it is that I have learned from both Pro’s and Co’s alike. Another lesson I have learned is when a professional angler is not on his A game, he will sometimes depend on that back seat driver for his or her knowledge of the lake, even sometimes going as far as to ask that athlete about the bait that he or she is using.
I often feel that the sport of tournament bass fishing has forgotten about the person who has to start from the bottom. That person who with just a cheap rod and reel can make the same amount of cast, catch the same amount of fish and can win tournaments like the Pro’s do it. Oddly enough, most co-anglers that I have met spend just as much as the pro’s do on bait, tackle, rods, reels, and other gear.
In 2012, Southwick Associates reported that anglers spent $45 billion a year on fishing. While this number includes all types of fishing, approximately $16 billion of that number was spent on bass fishing alone.
Where does that leave the co-angler?
In next few weeks and maybe even months, we will have several articles about how the regular-average Joe, can go from a pond hopping angler to become an angling professional. I believe a co-angler is one of the industries most needed athletes even though tournament organizations, sponsors, and the industry do not recognize them enough.
I created Co-Anglers.com with the co-angler, like me, in mind. My goal is to spotlight the amateur tournament angler. Here you will hear the good, the bad and the gritty from anglers at all different points in their careers but always with a co-angler focus. Here is an opportunity to showcase yourself, your achievements and share with the world how you became the athlete that you are today.
We would like to hear your story and learn how you became a tournament angler. If you would like to be a part of our featured athlete and/or spotlighted athlete spots connect with us! Click here to let us know you want to be heard and in the spotlight.
