St. Croix Bassmaster Opens

Inside co-anglers’ tackle bags

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BassProShops.com Bassmaster Opens Co-Anglers have a tough task at times. They fish with different pros each day of competition and could fish opposite patterns within the same tournament. Knowing what tackle to bring when heading to an event and knowing how to store it can be the biggest challenge. Here are two of the most successful co-anglers from the 2018 season (Chad Smith and Austin Bonjour) and what tackle they choose.
BassProShops.com Bassmaster Opens Co-Anglers have a tough task at times. They fish with different pros each day of competition and could fish opposite patterns within the same tournament. Knowing what tackle to bring when heading to an event and knowing how to store it can be the biggest challenge. Here are two of the most successful co-anglers from the 2018 season (Chad Smith and Austin Bonjour) and what tackle they choose.
Chad Smith takes us inside his tacklebox at Table Rock Lake. It's a diverse fishery, especially in the fall, which was when the Opens Championship occurred.
Chad Smith takes us inside his tacklebox at Table Rock Lake. It’s a diverse fishery, especially in the fall, which was when the Opens Championship occurred.
First, Chad Smith recommends getting a rod strap to keep rods together for easy entry and exit from the boat. One of the biggest issues and timely tasks can be untangling rods.
First, Chad Smith recommends getting a rod strap to keep rods together for easy entry and exit from the boat. One of the biggest issues and timely tasks can be untangling rods.
This is how neat and organized a good rod strap can keep rods together.
This is how neat and organized a good rod strap can keep rods together.
He kept his selection simple. Three baitcasters and three spinning rods.
He kept his selection simple. Three baitcasters and three spinning rods.
His spinning rods were equipped with baits like a drop shot, small jig-head swimbait and a weighted wacky worm (known as a Neko rig).
His spinning rods were equipped with baits like a drop shot, small jig-head swimbait and a weighted wacky worm (known as a Neko rig).
His baitcasters varied in action, but he had one to throw a crankbait, one for flipping a soft plastic and one for throwing a bladed jig. Based on the partner he had for the day he would mix in a topwater and spinnerbait on those respective rods.
His baitcasters varied in action, but he had one to throw a crankbait, one for flipping a soft plastic and one for throwing a bladed jig. Based on the partner he had for the day he would mix in a topwater and spinnerbait on those respective rods.
He has a tackle bag that keeps loose boxes and baits all together in the back box of the pro's boat or in the floor board.
He has a tackle bag that keeps loose boxes and baits all together in the back box of the pro’s boat or in the floor board.
He has a plastic container for soft plastics and a tacklebox for hard baits.
He has a plastic container for soft plastics and a tacklebox for hard baits.
He has a variety of hard baits for the day. This box is filled with topwater lures, crankbaits, jigs and plenty of terminal tackle.
He has a variety of hard baits for the day. This box is filled with topwater lures, crankbaits, jigs and plenty of terminal tackle.
He keeps his weights and hooks in their packages, which helps him find what he needs fast and keeps them organized in his
He keeps his weights and hooks in their packages, which helps him find what he needs fast and keeps them organized in his “go box.”
At Table Rock Lake you can crank at all depths for all three species of bass so Smith had numerous styles and lip sizes.
At Table Rock Lake you can crank at all depths for all three species of bass so Smith had numerous styles and lip sizes.
Pre-tournament research is very key at times, especially for fisheries he hasn't fished or visited. He always brings a few confidence baits as well because that is key as a competing co-angler.
Pre-tournament research is very key at times, especially for fisheries he hasn’t fished or visited. He always brings a few confidence baits as well because that is key as a competing co-angler.
A couple different color variations of jigs.
A couple different color variations of jigs.
He mentioned his terminal tackle and here is the proof. He has a heavy-duty flipping hook on the left, a rebarb dropshot hook in the middle and an extra wide gap worm hook on the right. All have their place and having a few of each will help for a three-day event.
He mentioned his terminal tackle and here is the proof. He has a heavy-duty flipping hook on the left, a rebarb dropshot hook in the middle and an extra wide gap worm hook on the right. All have their place and having a few of each will help for a three-day event.
Some of the soft plastics in his tubberware container are small Swimbaits and straight tailed worms which are great for drop shots, shaky heads and Neko rigs.
Some of the soft plastics in his tubberware container are small Swimbaits and straight tailed worms which are great for drop shots, shaky heads and Neko rigs.
He manages to stuff a few drinks and snacks in his bag as well.
He manages to stuff a few drinks and snacks in his bag as well.
He also utilizes the side pocket of his tackle bag.
He also utilizes the side pocket of his tackle bag.
He stores two spools of line for the day of fishing just in case. One heavy fluorocarbon and one lighter size.
He stores two spools of line for the day of fishing just in case. One heavy fluorocarbon and one lighter size.
He brings cull tags and a beam in his bag to save time culling and to keep track of his three-fish co-angler limit.
He brings cull tags and a beam in his bag to save time culling and to keep track of his three-fish co-angler limit.
He has a few pens and pliers just in case the pro angler doesn't have any.
He has a few pens and pliers just in case the pro angler doesn’t have any.
One handy part of his tackle bag is a rain shield that is incorporated. Some co-anglers keep their tackle in the floorboard of the boat and on those rainy days it can get messy.
One handy part of his tackle bag is a rain shield that is incorporated. Some co-anglers keep their tackle in the floorboard of the boat and on those rainy days it can get messy.
Smith won the Lake Norman Open and finished second overall in the Eastern Opens points race.
Smith won the Lake Norman Open and finished second overall in the Eastern Opens points race.
The man who beat him in the yearly points race was Austin Bonjour of California.
The man who beat him in the yearly points race was Austin Bonjour of California.
Unlike Smith, Bonjour flies to every event because driving from California to the east coast could be difficult. Thus, Bonjour has to pack differently due to flying.
Unlike Smith, Bonjour flies to every event because driving from California to the east coast could be difficult. Thus, Bonjour has to pack differently due to flying.
His rod selection also is impacted due to airlines.
His rod selection also is impacted due to airlines.
He, too, has a mix of spinning rods and baitcasters, but still keeps it around the five to six mark.
He, too, has a mix of spinning rods and baitcasters, but still keeps it around the five to six mark.
His tackle bag expands slightly based on his boxes for the given event, but still small enough for stowing on a plane.
His tackle bag expands slightly based on his boxes for the given event, but still small enough for stowing on a plane.
One box is all he needs for all of his hard baits. He has topwater, crankbaits, jigs, jerkbaits and even a spoon or two.
One box is all he needs for all of his hard baits. He has topwater, crankbaits, jigs, jerkbaits and even a spoon or two.
He has one box specifically for terminal tackle.
He has one box specifically for terminal tackle.
A mixture of shaky heads, swimbait jig heads and others.
A mixture of shaky heads, swimbait jig heads and others.
He has nail weights, drop-shot hooks and o-rings.
He has nail weights, drop-shot hooks and o-rings.
He brought a few favorites from California as well like a hard-jointed swimbait.
He brought a few favorites from California as well like a hard-jointed swimbait.
He shows off a topwater and crankbait, two key lures on Ozark lakes during the fall.
He shows off a topwater and crankbait, two key lures on Ozark lakes during the fall.
His tackle bag also doubles as a bag for some hygiene essentials. Packing for a plane flight will teach anglers to be resourceful and use every pocket possible.
His tackle bag also doubles as a bag for some hygiene essentials. Packing for a plane flight will teach anglers to be resourceful and use every pocket possible.
Some deodorant and airborne tablets to stay healthy traveling through airports.
Some deodorant and airborne tablets to stay healthy traveling through airports.
In another zippered pocket is his cull tags like Smith.
In another zippered pocket is his cull tags like Smith.
These are compact, non-penetrating clips for keeping track of the three-fish limit.
These are compact, non-penetrating clips for keeping track of the three-fish limit.
He showed off a couple jigs he packed. A jig is one of the most versatile baits to fish across the country during all stages of the year.
He showed off a couple jigs he packed. A jig is one of the most versatile baits to fish across the country during all stages of the year.
His B.A.S.S. membership bag doubles as a soft plastic holder.
His B.A.S.S. membership bag doubles as a soft plastic holder.
From craw-style plastics to straight-tailed worms.
From craw-style plastics to straight-tailed worms.
He also had a spare reel or two, which he can easily switch to a rod if needed. Instead of carrying two extra rods, carry reels that can be fished on other rod actions.
He also had a spare reel or two, which he can easily switch to a rod if needed. Instead of carrying two extra rods, carry reels that can be fished on other rod actions.
Bonjour poses with Carl Jocumsen. One great benefit of fishing as a co-angler is competing alongside seasoned pros that help teach and create memories.
Bonjour poses with Carl Jocumsen. One great benefit of fishing as a co-angler is competing alongside seasoned pros that help teach and create memories.

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