BoatU.S. saves B.A.S.S. tourney director Bowes from floundering

Written by

Alan McGuckin

Chris Bowes makes a living managing B.A.S.S. tournaments. It’s a job that involves way more than enforcing rules and weighing fish for thousands of participating anglers. Add working with local chamber of commerce folks, and making sure all fishermen get back to weigh-in safely, and you’ll be closer to completing Bowes’ long list of responsibilities.

But, on a recent leisurely fishing trip, it was Bowes that needed assistance en route to the boat ramp. “I arrived at the ramp on a recent Sunday morning and realized I had a pretty serious problem with my trailer tire,” said Bowes. Indeed, Bowes had smoked his boat trailer’s hub, and quickly called BoatU.S. Trailer Assist. 

“It was early on a Sunday morning, and I was just hoping someone would answer the phone and be willing to help,” admitted Bowes. “Not only did they answer my call, but the first thing they asked was if we were safe, and then began searching for a local accredited BoatU.S. partner to dispatch.”

The very nice folks from On-Site Truck Repair Inc. in Bradenton, Fla., brought Bowes a hub, installed it, and sent him on his way. While he waited, Bowes confesses that he fished from the shoreline adjacent to the boat ramp and even caught a couple of flounder. 

“I am so glad to have had the membership to BoatU.S. Angler,” said Bowes. “It’s the first time I’ve ever had to use it myself, and the membership saved me $125 for the service call and mileage. That alone paid for the membership, not to mention the goodness of having somebody come to help me when I found myself stranded on a Sunday morning,” said Bowes.