You’ve probably heard the phrase “packing everything but the kitchen sink”.  If you’re a co-angler, you’ve probably even thought about it more than a few times.  You should only plan on taking 5-6 rods on the boat so that you aren’t spending all day trying to untangle them.  The art of packing light is a skill you should attempt to master if you plan on spending more than a few tournaments in the back seat. 

One of the best ways to whittle down the selection is to practice.  Be sure to read my article on co-angler practice.  To summarize, you should practice like a co-angler and be prepared for several different patterns on each lake.

Finesse fishing is another way to reduce the bait selection you will need.  Smaller worms fit more easily in a tackle bag than bulky crank bait and spinner bait boxes.  Finally, if you must take several plastic boxes of baits, take a good tackle box with plenty of space. You don’t want to be lugging several bags and boxes onto someone else’s boat.  Albackore tackle makes some great organizer bags for your tackle which can be customized by moving around the dividers.  For more information, be sure to check out www.albackore.com.

Co-Angler Note 101:  Less is more.  You can still catch fish without the kitchen sink