What's your opinion? Co-Angler Rights

So last night I posted a picture on Facebook.  It was a funny picture caught in the moment when we were fishing.  I thought about a good caption for the photo, considering the appearance and came up with "This is how I keep my co-anglers from casting past me"

Obviously I really don't mean that since I fished as a co-angler since I was in high school up until recently, but anyways it was funny.  The picture makes my dog look pretty viscous, but she was really just snapping at bugs and we caught her in the act.  I really don't bring her with me to tournaments....but maybe I should.

The comments turned pretty heated and people decided to debate on "Co-Angler Rights" as I'm now calling it.  What is your opinion?  Should Co-Anglers expect to be able to cast wherever they want (even over a boater's shoulder, should they be relegated to the back deck.  Let me know.  I'd like to hear your thoughts here in the comments.  If you haven't seen the Facebook post, check it out here.

The Photo in Question

VanDam Broke An Unwritten Rule of Bass Fishing

I have been following the Bassmaster Live Blog of the Diamond Drive on the Arkansas River all weekend.  I really love the coverage they have been doing this year.  One interesting story line has been the drama between Denny Brauer and Johnathan VanDam. I saw JVD blanked on Day 1 and Denny was leading it, then I heard they were fishing the same water on the second day.  What!?  That doesn't make sense and is definitely breaking one of the unwritten rules of bass fishing.  I know that if you start fishing by a guy with a chance to win and you are basically out of it, you should give up the water. Now JVD is in contention after two huge bags on Day 2 and Day 3.  Still, I think it's pretty messed up.  It seems like everyone else agrees.

Photo: James Overstreet, Bassmaster.com

Steve Wright of Bassmaster.com posted a great article called "Who owns the water?".  It has some quotes from others in the Elite field and they all seem to be slamming JVD.  Here are a few from the article:

• On stage at the Little Rock Riverfront Amphitheater Saturday, Brauer said, “I won’t be joining the Jonathan VanDam fan club, I’ll tell you that.”
• Brauer also said “when a guy goose eggs (on Day One), then comes in on the leader, that’s just unheard of.”
• “I’m an outsider looking in,” Jason Quinn said. “I think (VanDam) is in the wrong. This sport is all about making good impressions on everybody. That’s not a good way to end your rookie season.”
• Skeet Reese added: “These younger guys don’t have that etiquette yet, and they are making bad decisions. Unfortunately, that’s part of being young.”
• John Murray said “Usually if you go up to a guy and say that’s where I’m catching them, the guy will leave. He doesn’t have to, but what goes around comes around.”

Johnathan on the other hand said “I’ve got nothing to worry about, I’m not doing anything wrong, so I’m going back there.”

Another Elite Rookie Brandon Palaniuk took the high road, here is what BP said:  “I went up to Denny (Saturday) morning, and I said, ‘You’re fishing to win, so I’m not going back there,’” said Palaniuk, who dropped from 21st place to 32nd Saturday. “It will cost me a top 12 cut here, but I plan on being around for awhile."

He added: “Denny has always been one of my favorites growing up. It was a decision I had to make. It wasn’t easy. I just felt like this will get me a lot further along in my career.”

What's you opinion on this?  Is everyone making too big of a deal about this?  Does Johnathan VanDam feel he is entitled because of his last name?  Tell me what you think!

Who is the best angler in the world?

This question always seems to come up.  Currently, who is ranked number one in the world?  The BassFan.com rankings always cause debate, espescially when an FLW Tour angler takes over the top spot, like happened when Brent Ehrler and Bryan Thrift took over.  But, KVD is now number one, once again.

The other great debate, was the "Greatest Angler of All-Time" from 2005, where Rick Clunn edged out Roland Martin and KVD for the title

Now, there is a new debate: Outdoor Life's "20 Best Angler's on the Planet." This list includes all types of fishing from ice fishing to walleye to saltwater and everything in between.  It does include four pro bass anglers; KVD, Clunn, Roland Martin and Mike Iaconelli.  It's a pretty interesting list and includes several people I have never heard of.

The thing about the debates...is that it seems like KVD is near the top of all of these lists. I don't know how anyone could say he is not #1 currently, the Greatest Angler of All-Time and The Best Angler on the Planet.

Who is your pick for these three debates?

The Bassmaster Elite Series "Rookie" of the Year

If you haven't noticed, Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie Ott Defoe is running away with the Rookie of the Year race.  He has been a machine this year and has made the Top 50 in all Elite Series six events (with no finishes less than 32nd).  That's consistency!  I looked into his full Bassmaster tournament profile and saw he has fished 12 B.A.S.S. events, 12 times in the money and 12 Top 50's.  That is just amazing.  There is no doubt that he is one of the top anglers in the world and his 7th Place in the points is well deserved.  

But the thing is, he isn't really a "rookie".  He fished the FLW Tour four full seasons before making the switch to Bassmaster.  Looking at the Top 6 for this years Elite Series Rookie Standings and you will see 5 who have fished the FLW Tour for multiple years: 

1. Ott Defoe
2. Andy Montgomery (4 years on the FLW Tour)
3. David Walker (15 years on the FLW Tour with an AOY Title)
4. Brandon Palaniuk (the only true rookie in the Top 6)
5. Keith Combs (3 years on the FLW Tour) 
6. Nate Wellman (5 years on the FLW Tour)

This trend is nothing new, Steve Kennedy and Bobby Lane won the Bassmaster Rookie of the Year and Matt Herren nearly won in 2009 after all had spent years on the FLW Tour.

What do you think about the Elite Series Rookie of the Year?  I'm not knocking the guys in contention, or even B.A.S.S. I just don't know how they can be considered a true rookie, yet on the other hand I don't see any other way to do it.  What would be a better way to do it?