I just received notice that I got in the LSC Elite tournament as a marshal. I've never marshaled before but I'm fired up to get to spend a few days in the boat with an Elite pro. I'm sure I'll be watching a fair amount of dropshot smallie fishing but should still be fun to watch from the passenger seat. I'll be getting my packet soon, but if anyone has any advice send it my way. I'll be working on getting fitted for a full length bubble suit and will be bringing plenty of pain killers with me since I'll probably get the pro that runs to the big lake every day!
I received a letter letting me know I am confirmed as a marshal for three days. When the elites were here is 2013 I marshaled for one day in a case of right place, right time. They were short a few marshals on day two, so I inquired with Chuck Harbin about filling in and he signed me up and gave me a short list of anglers who still needed marshals and told me to pick. As soon as I saw Jason Christie on that list I picked him, as he was one of the most dominant anglers on tour that year.
I was fortunate that he stayed in Lake St. Clair, but even then, he had spots all over the lake so we did a lot of running from spot to spot. Granted it wasn't a run to Erie, but it was still a rough ride at times. I had a great time as a marshal which I why I signed up as soon as I could for this year.
Here are my suggestions. Bring rain gear, water, sun screen, any meds you might need/want, and a camera. As for talking with the pro, this is how I approached it. When I first boarded the boat, I introduced myself and said "I understand and respect that this is how you earn your living. I don't want to do anything to hinder your ability to do that, so please do not be afraid to let me know if I am in your way at anytime. As for the conversation, if you want it quiet, I will be quiet. Let me know what works best for you."
Jason Christie was a nice guy. We talked a lot throughout the day, he answered questions I had, offered me bottled water, and was all around friendly. And I really give him credit for that because he wasn't having a good tournament, plus it had been over seven weeks since he had been home.
Congrats on getting selected to marshal. It is truly a great experience.
I have Marshalled every year since they started having Marshalls, seven years ago. Been all around the country. Have lots of advice. Am presently typing this from Nashville TN where we are spending the night. Tomorrow we will head for Guntersville. Will be Marshalling there. I Marshalled all four days of the last Guntersville tournament.
I also signed up for Kentucky Lake. I did not sign up for LSC. I Marshalled that 3 days two years ago. Be prepared for long brutal rides. Helmet, back brace/kidney belt, ear plugs, a very good rain suit, dramamine, etc. I went to Erie two of three days. Went to Pelee in 5 to 6 footers. Got sea sick for the first time in a bass boat. Chipped a tooth on the ride. It was 2 1/2 hours each way. I rode with Cliff Pirch, and he said it was the second worse bass boat ride he'd ever been on. The worst ride he'd ever had was on Erie as well.
PM me and I'll give you some info I've gleaned after having Marshalled 12 times. Two events a year is what I shoot for. I also have a number of my Marshalling trips blogged on my kind of defunct website, teardropbass.com
How hard is it to get picked?
If you want to go three days, you have to actively watch for when registration opens up. It's not always the same date and time from year to year. You get to register early if you are a member of the Michigan Fed. Nation or whatever they call themselves now. If you register at the stroke of midnight, actually it's usually like 8:00 am or something, and you get a 1-50 time stamp then you get to Marshall three days. However, even if you get selected often times people don't choose to go the third day and there are often several third day openings. You have to be there in person at the meeting after the second day weigh-in. This is the first year I was put on a waiting list for a tournament, Guntersville. However, they did email me several weeks ago and said I was now in for two days. My traveling partner waffled on going and didn't sign in right away and is 52 on the waiting list. We both signed up in the second sign in period because we are not Mich Fed members. I have signed up for a number of years with the Fed Nation just so I could get priority entry, but this year I rolled the dice. You do need to be a BASS member. If you get the magazine you are a member. I am sure you will find many openings for the third day on St. Clair. After newbies experience the opening ride they say never again. One gal who signed up didn't even bring a rain suit and ran with Tommy Biffle to Erie. He said she looked like a drowned rat. He couldn't give her his rain suit because she was a tad bit hefty. The rides on St. Clair even if you know the drill can be back breakers. These guys only know one speed whether they go 100 yards or 70 miles.
PS At the Wednesday 4:00 pm mandatory meeting they will draw to see who gets to ride Sunday. Only six Marshalls go out on Sunday. Camera guys are in the first six. Also, I have been bumped and relegated to a chase boat before if the guy you draw third day is in the top few. Camera guy gets his footage and then you switch out for the remainder of the day.
They now want you to download the Basstrakk app for iPhone or Android to use during the tournament. If you don't have one of those phones they will give you one of theirs. You then record the approx weight of each fish your pro catches during the day. They also like it when you send them photos of fish etc your angler catches. They will give you the number to send photos etc. to.