I agree with Mr. Barde. I think as long as your boat is safe and in good working order you should be fine.  There are however contingency programs that offer $$ for using their products i.e. Phoenix pays an extra $7k if you win a tournament on of their boats 2 years old or newer I believe.

You get my vote!!

No worries, Brian.  I got the impression that logistics were being handled by someone else.  Thank you.

Wow! Lots of good answers from the SUF folks. Like everyone else I believe it would be an incredible learning experience to spend time on the water getting to know BLat on a more personal level and see firsthand so many of the nuances of his years of tournament fishing.  Additionally, I want to understand the off the water things involved with tournament fishing as a career.  I'm 100% sure whomever gets this opportunity will GROW their fishing knowledge greatly.

Not only have I done it, but I didn’t know it and then tossed it in the water in preparation of reeling up the slack and watched a big spoon sink to the bottom.

Brian Latimer oh I believe it but I’m sure you can understand with the volume of edited content at our disposal it is easy get caught up in that notion catching em.

Maybe a good topic for conversation. The reel sides of fishing. Puns intended

Oh I withdrew from tournament, due to it was my anniversary and just didn’t feel good

Brian Latimer in my defense, when I have tried all I know plus all the fun internet stuff, and still no bite I don’t know where or what try next. Just trying to frame my challenges differently. I’m sure some folks can relate.

I do appreciate your encouragement and perspective