Was just channel surfing and come across pro fishing tournament. A guy who won it is a "first year" pro. I've always wondered about this. Anyone on here have insight to becoming a pro bass fisherman?
The way it makes the most sense to me is to join a local club that is affiliated with BASS , FLW, or any other similar National Bass fishing organization. These small clubs charge entry fees for each affiliated tournament. You can enter either as a boater or non boater. Partners are often designated by a entry drawing at the club meeting a week or so prior to the tournament. Most of the entry fee is paid back to the winners e.g. 1st place, second place & third place depending on a five fish stringer weight. You also earn points depending on your placement. This organized system identifies the best anglers by their performance at the small (three or four state ) level. Towards the end of the fishing season these small area clubs will compete against other regions and divisions as organized by BASS and FLW etc. Winners flow towards the Classic which is held at various large impoundments in the Country. The cost of competing are entry fees, shared travel , lodging, meals and heavy equipment costs etc. Your ability to grow as a Pro Bass fisherman readily becomes apparent by a positive cash flow. It takes time to develop the skill set to be successful. As you develop your skills you can solicite sponsors which may off set some of your costs of entry fees, equipment, boats, motors, trucks etc. It is a hard row to hoe but well worth the effort for the few who make it to the top.
1. Be a bachelor or have a very understanding wife. 2. Have a lot of money, A new bass boat and trailer fully rigged will run you about $75,000. Plus another $60,000 for the truck to pull it. 3. Talk with a barely understandable southern accent. 4. Don't ever kill a fish. The object is to torture, maim and annoy them. Claim that you don't like the taste of bass. 5. Carry a large supply of 1 ounce lead sinkers. They come in handy just before the weigh in. 6. Dress like a NASCAR driver. This goes along with number 3.
That's a good start. I'm sure others can fill you in on the minor details.
1. Be a bachelor or have a very understanding wife. 2. Have a lot of money, A new bass boat and trailer fully rigged will run you about $75,000. Plus another $60,000 for the truck to pull it. 3. Talk with a barely understandable southern accent. 4. Don't ever kill a fish. The object is to torture, maim and annoy them. Claim that you don't like the taste of bass. 5. Carry a large supply of 1 ounce lead sinkers. They come in handy just before the weigh in. 6. Dress like a NASCAR driver. This goes along with number 3.
That's a good start. I'm sure others can fill you in on the minor details.
You left out likely $80,000 in expenses just fishing the tournament trails.
Can't think of a better way to ruin what I consider a pleasant endeavor.
About 25 years ago I was a weekend bass tournament angler that caught a good sponsorship deal from a local boat dealership. The dealership gave me a new 19' Champion with 150 Evinrude and covered all my cost. Seemed like a dream come true and the first couple years were a heck of a lot of fun. I made a little money and had a great time. The third year I was miserable. That third year I figured out exactly where fishing fit into my life. Fishing was costing me valuable time away from family and career. I figured out fishing was not going to be a career for me. I gave my sponsorship up and was a happy weekend warrior after that.
Just tossin this out there........The fastest way to destroy the love you have for a hobby is to turn it into a business. Been there done that for 20 years with my wildlife photography.
1. Be a bachelor or have a very understanding wife. 2. Have a lot of money, A new bass boat and trailer fully rigged will run you about $75,000. Plus another $60,000 for the truck to pull it. 3. Talk with a barely understandable southern accent. 4. Don't ever kill a fish. The object is to torture, maim and annoy them. Claim that you don't like the taste of bass. 5. Carry a large supply of 1 ounce lead sinkers. They come in handy just before the weigh in. 6. Dress like a NASCAR driver. This goes along with number 3.
That's a good start. I'm sure others can fill you in on the minor details.
This plus the ability to consistently catch big bass
Although the ability to consistently catch fish under a variety of conditions is important, if you don't understand marketing and have marketing skills you won't make a living. Sponsors are attracted to those that can market their products. The top level pros are professional marketers with fishing skills.
I used to take pros fishing here prior to tournaments. Point them in the right direction, show them some spots, etc. Until the last one.
This guy was early 30's just like me and had a wife at home in Illinois, who was working nights for the phone company and they'd just had a baby. Like two weeks old. He had quit a job with UPS to go on the walleye trail. I had a two month old at home at the time, our first as well. He wondered how it was going and I told him. He was very concerned that he'd planned to take wife and baby with him to the tournament in Fort Peck in August, and was worried that it would be too hot and he might have to buy an A/C unit to take with him for that week. He had a new Lund and was hoping to sell it at the end of the season and if he broke even for the year, and didn't lose money, then he felt like that would be a success. It was all I could do not to wrap the anchor rope around his leg and push him overboard.
