Marshaling Elite Series Events

[Dan]

Well, I tried to sign up as the clock struck 10:00 a.m. ET to Marshal the Falcon Lake and Lake St. Clair events. I now have a printed copy of my confirmation. Hopefully all went through well. When I first hit the button at 10 and went to the sign up page it lists all the events and their availability. Right away it said St. Clair was sold out. How could that be? I hit the button as my cell phone and computer said 10:00 am. Then when I went on to register for the Falcon Lake event St. Clair became available. Very strange. Hopefully, I'm in on both events. They never tell you right away. You have to wait to get your packet in the mail to be official.

[Waterfoul]

How much does it cost Dan?

[blakstr1]

$125

[Dan]

They raised the price this year to $125 after four years at $100. In the past, they gave you a $25 Bass Pro Shop card, a nice Columbia shirt, and a hat, plus other goodies depending on the event. They also feed you a meal on Wednesday night of the registration. The meal varies as well, depending on what the local chamber of commerce provides. I was not at all happy with the hats and shirts last year and no BPS card. They went cheap and this year they are raising their price. Go figure. I did register my complaint with Chuck Harbin, and he said he was in charge of picking out shirts etc. so maybe he'll be a listener.
I still think $125 for three days of entertainment is well worth it. Try going to three concerts or even out to eat for three dinners and you're going to spend that and probably more.
I really enjoy them, and look forward to signing up today like it was Christmas morning. I was ready to rock this morning with all my cards laid out and back up computer ready, taking no chances.
My wife and I are going to make a vacation out of the Zapata trip. I know a couple of guys that live in South Texas and plan to see them and have a bit of a guide for South Texas. Never been to the Lone Star State.

PS
Everyone that signs up is placed on the "Waiting List." You have to wait about a month or more before you get confirmation from BASS. They send you a copy of the rules and tournament registration, and you have to fill out a section as a Marshal and send it back in. When you register online it will list all of the events and tell you which ones are sold out.

[Waterfoul]

I went to Texas once.  It was hot and sunny and there were lots of college babes in bikinis.  Of course that was spring break on South Padre Island... not a lot of bass fishing going on there.     Ahhhh.... memories!

[Dan]

From Buffalo Springfield to Barbara Streisand.

[motocross269]

I registered at 10:30....It said I was on the "Waiting list"..So it is good to know that is just the way it is....Hopefully I get in....I was on a hot job at work so I had to wait to get online...

I would be willing to bet that quite a few of those Marshal seats are filled with sponsors and local press.....JMHO...(I don't blame BASS if that is what they do...That is business...)

[Dan]

I don't think many are held as sponsor positions. In fact, after four years of Marshaling I have not seen one that was. Doesn't mean there wasn't, but they provide chase boats to ferry press etc. around. They will be looking on St. Clair for boats to do this and it may behoove you to inquiry in advance if you would be willing to run photographers around. They pay you to do this and most of the photographers are done by late morning. I have talked to several of these guys that ferry them and have ridden with one on Wheeler when they bumped me for a photographer for a couple of hours. We followed Skeet and when the camera guy had enough footage he waved us over and I got in. That usually doesn't happen unless you are in the final day. I got to Marshal on the final day three different times.
Most events I have been to they have needed a few Marshals and guys are asked to call their buddies to come and Marshal. You would have to go to the Wednesday Registration meeting and find Chuck Harbin and let him know you are willing to fill in if needed.

[Waterfoul]

I don't think many are held as sponsor positions. In fact, after four years of Marshaling I have not seen one that was. Doesn't mean there wasn't, but they provide chase boats to ferry press etc. around. They will be looking on St. Clair for boats to do this and it may behoove you to inquiry in advance if you would be willing to run photographers around. They pay you to do this and most of the photographers are done by late morning. I have talked to several of these guys that ferry them and have ridden with one on Wheeler when they bumped me for a photographer for a couple of hours. We followed Skeet and when the camera guy had enough footage he waved us over and I got in. That usually doesn't happen unless you are in the final day. I got to Marshal on the final day three different times.
Most events I have been to they have needed a few Marshals and guys are asked to call their buddies to come and Marshal. You would have to go to the Wednesday Registration meeting and find Chuck Harbin and let him know you are willing to fill in if needed.

Dan, if that "call your buddies" thing happens at St. Clair... CALL ME!!!

[Waterfoul]

From Buffalo Springfield to Barbara Streisand.

LOL!!

[motocross269]

I don't think many are held as sponsor positions. In fact, after four years of Marshaling I have not seen one that was. Doesn't mean there wasn't, but they provide chase boats to ferry press etc. around. They will be looking on St. Clair for boats to do this and it may behoove you to inquiry in advance if you would be willing to run photographers around. They pay you to do this and most of the photographers are done by late morning. I have talked to several of these guys that ferry them and have ridden with one on Wheeler when they bumped me for a photographer for a couple of hours. We followed Skeet and when the camera guy had enough footage he waved us over and I got in. That usually doesn't happen unless you are in the final day. I got to Marshal on the final day three different times.
Most events I have been to they have needed a few Marshals and guys are asked to call their buddies to come and Marshal. You would have to go to the Wednesday Registration meeting and find Chuck Harbin and let him know you are willing to fill in if needed.

Thanks for all the info Dan....
I am sure they go over this at the meeting but...What do you usually bring... PFD, Rain suit and snack???  Do the pros leave you a little room in their coolers?? I read someplace that a small backpack is a hot setup but being a big water tournament I know I like everything below the deck so I would think the Pros are even more critical with that.....

[Dan]

The pros are suppose to have one storage compartment available for your use. I take an old KVD tackle bag that came with plano boxes that have long been removed and stored elsewhere. In the bag I take my BPS rainsuit, a Save Phase mask or a helmet, extra hat (don't want to make them turn around to get your hat when they're fishing for 100K), sun screen (I reapply several times ), a bag of medicinal supplies to cover a case of the green apple quick step, head aches, sinus issues, etc. I also bring what I want to drink, and eat. I bring a camera with an extra battery and an extra memory card. I make sure I have a water tight bag for my camera and phone. You can bring a phone and a camera, but you can't bring a video camera. I know phones and pocket cameras now shoot video, but I think their intent is not to have someone filming something that may compete with BASS coverage. They don't like you to be on your phone or be texting locations etc., but you definitely should have it. I have had a BASS official call me in the boat twice and I've had to call them once.
I usually don't use the pro's compartments. I like my stuff right in front of me on the floor. When they fish I put the bag behind the seat, so if they use the seat to land a fish I don't have stuff in their way.
I also bought a strap at a medical supply store that was intended to be use to help old people get out of cars. I use it if the boat I'm in doesn't have a good right side "sissy bar." Believe me riding as a passenger in an open cockpit boat can leave your hand rubbed raw. I haven't had to use it much, but these guys go one speed regardless of distance. I have had several draws where we ran for more than an hour one way. Having a good handle grip, and a helmet or mask makes a ride much more comfortable. The air noise alone riding a long ways can give you a good headache.
This year at Okeechobee I used one of those buffs that pull up over your face ala Shaw Grigsby. I thought it would be uncomfortable, but when it's really hot, it keeps you cooler. Being older, I know a number of guys that have fished and golfed for many years that are now having skin cancer issues. I try to stay covered up and always use sun screen.
I also bring a couple of permanent markers that I keep in my pocket. I like to have one for autographs. Each year I try to get one hat signed by as many of the Elite anglers as I can. I have four so far.
One biggy, for me any way, is to ask the pro if they will leave their back seat in. A number of the pros take them out, but will put them in if you ask. I don't like sitting in the regular passenger seat. You can't see as well and when they cast, it can get dicey. I stand a lot, but really like the option of a back seat.
Can't think of really too much more to say. I'm sure I probably left something out, but that's a pretty good beginning.
Most pros either back their own boat in or have someone else that does it, wife, friend, etc. There are times though when I have offered and they have wanted me to back them in or pull them out. Your job ends officially after the pro bags their fish, but I always ask if they want help pulling out. You often don't get to watch too much of the weigh-in, especially if you are in one of the later flights. You do get back stage access being a Marshal.

[djkimmel]

I hope to fill 1 or 2 'media' seats at this event but Marshals fill the vast majority of them. The few events I've been to seem to always need an extra Marshal or 2 or 4 at the last minute. If you really want to get in and don't get in the draw, you might still show up and make yourself available.

I have always felt that this first one in Michigan will probably be packed full, with a plethora of Marshals, but you never know for sure with all the variables involved.

Dan, how or what do you hook your 'custom' strap to? I had some quality 'air time' during my 2 hour+ ride back in the Bayou Classic of 2011. I think I'm looking more for a seat belt kind of thing maybe though... and probably an extra seat cushion if I can keep it all in one piece... I have seen it done before.

Don't they ask the pro to provide a 2nd PFD for the rider? I can't recall for sure but that sounds familiar.

[Dan]

I knew I forgot something. The pros are required to provide a PFD, but I take my Mustang with me. They always want to check it when I fly and they always pull it out. Twice they didn't know what it was. It is legal to fly with even though it has that Co2 canister as part of the suspenders. That one canister is okay, but you may not take a separate one as a back on in your carry on.
In regards to the strap I use, I use it as an extender. I can hook it to the existing "sissy bar." Some are so low in the boat that you have to lean forward, and doing so for extended runs is not at all comfortable.
I have been waiting to hear about Marshaling for the Classic on Grand Lake. I've been on the list to Marshal since last year's Classic.

[dartag]

Maybe we could take my pontoon and get MOJO to bring his and have a spectator outing.  Weather permitting.