Back Story: Getting Closer to the Front

Fishermen choose to be co-anglers in FLW Outdoors tournaments for various reasons. Some simply enjoy the whole competition scene and they want to stay plugged into it. Some just want to learn from the pros, and become more equipped to solve various bass-fishing problems on their own. And still others aspire to become full-fledged pros themselves.

For 20-year-old Keeton Blaylock of Arkansas, it’s the third option that motivates him, though he’s in no hurry. Blaylock, who’s currently ranked second in the FLW Tour co-angler standings behind Patrick Bone of Georgia (with the Pickwick Lake makeup tournament to go), is following a family tradition in that regard. His older brother Stetson started out as a co-angler when he was 17. After winning a ton of money as a co-angler in FLW Tour Majors, Opens, EverStarts and Walmart Bass Fishing League events during four seasons, Stetson went pro in 2009. Today he’s a member of the AMP Energy team and currently ranked 13th in the Angler of the Year race.

Keeton, who runs a landscaping business in Little Rock, seems to be on the same career path. After a slow start, he’s come on strong in 2011, having won two co-angler titles (at Beaver Lake and Chickamauga) and collected more than $43,000 in prize money. You could make the argument that there isn’t much need for Keeton to join the pro ranks, because he’s doing OK where he is. However, Stetson blazed the trail, and Keeton aims to follow it to the top himself. The path to glory went through the back of a boat for Stetson, National Guard pros Justin Lucas and Scott Martin, Chevy pro Bryan Thrift, and several other successful pros who began their fishing careers as co-anglers.

If and when Keeton does decide to switch to the front of the boat, Stetson’s own journey provides clues regarding when it might happen.

“There comes a time when you realize that you’re answering as many or more questions from the pro as you’re asking of him,” says Stetson. “You get to where he’s asking you what you’re doing to catch fish when he can’t, or why your fish are bigger. When that starts happening on a regular basis, it’s time to make some decisions.”

It doesn’t hurt that Keeton gets to practice for tournaments with Stetson, and his regular traveling companions include co-angler luminaries Richard Peek of Alabama and JR Wright of California. He’s also been fortunate to draw such partners as David Dudley, Tom Monsoor and Clifford Pirch, from whom he’s learned a lot. Keeton knows what to do when he gets around fish, as some of his stringers can attest. At Chickamauga, for instance, his three-day haul included stringers of 18-8, 11-8 and 11-8.

If you looked into Keeton’s tackle box, you’d see plenty of shaky head components (“shaky heads will catch bass anywhere”) along with a sizeable assortment of finesse worms, drop-shot weights, crankbaits, swimbaits, a few random jigs, lipless crankbaits, topwaters, spinnerbaits and ChatterBaits. Typically, he takes along three baitcasting outfits and a couple of spinning rigs for a day’s fishing.

“I guess it sounds pretty basic, but I always try to use a different kind of bait than what the pro is using, without picking something that’s too far off for the conditions,” says Keeton. “I also watch the pro to see where he’s casting and what he misses. I try to find the sweet spots between the spots where he throws. I want to fish new water, not something he’s already fished.”

As good as his brother is now, Stetson thinks Keeton still isn’t ready to make the big leap from apprentice to master. It took Stetson four years, one tournament at a time, to reach the point that he knew he was ready for the FLW Tour Majors.

“Keeton is really good at figuring out how to catch bass, that’s for sure. But there’s a lot more to it. You have to be able to locate fish and then manage them. Being a pro is all about making the right decisions, even when it means taking big chances. You have to develop versatility, and not just rely on your favorite ways to fish. Keeton will know when he’s ready to step up.”

No argument from younger brother. Until he can’t learn any more, Keeton plans to stay in the back of the boat, soak up what the more experienced pros have to teach, and wait for that inner voice to tell him it’s time.