New Article: The Cost Of Becoming A Pro

[Glenn]

Some people may not realize the amount of work and sacrifice that goes into being a pro fisherman.  This article provides a behind-the-scenes look!

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/pro-fishing-cost.html

 

[sprint61]

This is a good read, will open a lot of people's eyes.

[HoosierHawgs]

I'm interested to see what it says. I don't think the general fishing population gives a hoot about what pro uses what, but I think that the guys who are coming up on the college and Opens circuits do... And they are the biggest share of the market because even though they are the smaller portion of the population they spend the most... And then you also have the fact that you incur expenses through gas... Maybe a truck if your sponsor doesn't pay for one... Then you've got any out of pocket baits, food.. It all adds up. After all the expenses the actual profit margin is slim

[J Francho]

I wonder what costs more, a full ride for a pro, or giving thousands of college kids 10% off. I wonder which nets more return on investment.

[livemusic]

That's a good article. It's the same type of eye-opener there is for trying to go pro in any sport. Such as golf. A ton of travel, lots of expenses, away from family, and a bunch of guys better than you are.

[MIbassyaker]

Really interesting article. In a weird sort of way, it's a relief to never have been remotely good enough at any sport to consider going pro, having to weigh the prospects of such major benefits and sacrifices against each other.

[Don't Tell The Wife]

Good read but these guys life is a grind just like golfers and such.

[HoosierHawgs]

Good read but these guys life is a grind just like golfers and such.

Yeah I actually know a pro golfer named Patrick Rodgers he graduated from my high school a few years back. Its crazy how much you have to work to get to the top... It does make it a grind and less enjoyable. But I still think I'd like to do "weekend activities" for a living... I'd kinda be interested in outdoor journalism, but these days that's pretty competitive as well!

[J Francho]

Go get a job, and get to the top. Doesn't matter what it is you do, it's work to get to the top, so, you better like it.

[Ohio Dave]

Auto racing may be even worse:  everything costs a load of cash and the travel is nuts.   Almost no one even makes their money back 

 

I guess if you really love both bass fishing and the competition then you will kick yourself for not giving it a go.  As for me, as much as I like bass fishing I like seeing my family in my home every night much more.  And knowing that my pay check will be deposited at the stroke of midnight every other Thursday night regardless of how well the bass are biting or my sponsor's lures are selling makes me just about as happy.  plus I am not rolling out a sleeping bag in the back of my truck either  

[stkbassn]

Go get a job, and get to the top. Doesn't matter what it is you do, it's work to get to the top, so, you better like it.

 

Indeed it is...and lots of politics too. Better be prepared to bs and leave your principles at the door.

[J Francho]

You can hold on to those, but it's a longer climb.

[Senko lover]

I've had sooo many people tell me that I'm gonna become a pro someday, that I'll get on a bunch of pro staffs and fish a classic, but I tell them, in my opinion, being a pro is work. It's not just about fishing, it's about winning. I'd rather fun fish, anyday. 

[Ohio Dave]

follow your heart young man,  if it leads you toward fishing as a pro so be it,  if it leads you to be something else and fish on the weekends and a couple weeks of summer vacation then so be that too.   

 

You have to love being a tournament pro to be a good one.  its not nearly enough to love to fish or to be outside.  You have to love the grind, the practice days, the meetings with sponsors, the interviews and self promotions.  

 

I would hate to guess how many guys have gone after this either half hearted (meaning they just love fishing and not the business of fishing) or never really did the research and leg work to find out what they really have to do to turn bass fishing into a living.  

 

My folks' old neighbor is a classic example.  The young man was a solid fishermen.  He was strong in the local matches.  But he got married to a gal who did not have a clue what life would be like if he chased this dream down.   I took a second mortgage for a ranger and gear.  Lost his job because he kept trying to take weeks off at a time,  wife ends up dumping him because he was never home.  Short of winning every single week the semi pro leagues he was in did not offer nearly enough $ support to stay on the road much less to keep a house and wife.  18 months after he took the plunge he was flat broke, single, and homeless.  I doubt very much he even bass fishes for fun now.  

 

I guess what I am trying to say be a bit long winded about it is to be sure you really know how deep the water is before you jump off the high board  

[HoosierHawgs]

follow your heart young man,  if it leads you toward fishing as a pro so be it,  if it leads you to be something else and fish on the weekends and a couple weeks of summer vacation then so be that too.   

 

You have to love being a tournament pro to be a good one.  its not nearly enough to love to fish or to be outside.  You have to love the grind, the practice days, the meetings with sponsors, the interviews and self promotions.  

 

I would hate to guess how many guys have gone after this either half hearted (meaning they just love fishing and not the business of fishing) or never really did the research and leg work to find out what they really have to do to turn bass fishing into a living.  

 

My folks' old neighbor is a classic example.  The young man was a solid fishermen.  He was strong in the local matches.  But he got married to a gal who did not have a clue what life would be like if he chased this dream down.   I took a second mortgage for a ranger and gear.  Lost his job because he kept trying to take weeks off at a time,  wife ends up dumping him because he was never home.  Short of winning every single week the semi pro leagues he was in did not offer nearly enough $ support to stay on the road much less to keep a house and wife.  18 months after he took the plunge he was flat broke, single, and homeless.  I doubt very much he even bass fishes for fun now.  

 

I guess what I am trying to say be a bit long winded about it is to be sure you really know how deep the water is before you jump off the high board  

Yeah... I'm looking at being a lawyer so I think either way its gonna be a grind. I mean I'm a swimmer now.. And I love getting up at 4:50 every morning, I've honestly gotten use to it. But I don't think I'll end up going pro or anything... I'm an ok fisherman, but throwing in so much money at the start is very scary. 

[Ohio Dave]

Don't let fear get to pick what you are going to do with your life.  I have students all the time tell me they are not going to college because they don't want to take out a loan.  I get that but the loan is an investment in your self.  

 

If being a lawyer is what your heart is set on then got for that!!  The only voice talking you in or out of something needs to be the one coming from your own heart 

[bigbill]

About 15 years ago I was in the zone, on top of my game and probably as good as shore fishing as I was going to get. I was fishing seven days a week. I was stocking my tackle room with everything. Planning on starting to fish local tornies. The two Torpedos hit me. I had two knees go bad and two knee operations followed. Forced retirement followed. Now my fishing time is limited. I still fish with the dedication and heart of any pro. I have no ego. When I'm fishing I take the time to educate kids how to catch bass. I like to see everyone catch fish. I'm like a field rep for fishing equipment.

It takes lots of time and dedication to be a pro. you better have it in your heart and have the drive for success. Life is a roller coaster of ups and downs. We win and lose either way we move forward. My point is once your committed there's no going back. There's more behind the scenes than you think.

I been a car and jeep mechanic, a machine rebuilder, a cnc machine builder, a logger inbetween jobs, and the last twenty years of my working life a lead tech in a engineering r&d lab. I build machines to make parts for the M1 Abrams tank, assembled the 155mm howitzer for the US Army. I helped design the Disney tower of terror ride. I built machines for the auto and truck industry. I build machines to manufacture disc brakes for every auto manufacturer. Every time you step on the brakes they were machined on my machine.

The bottom line is I rather be bass fishing.

[bigbill]

My dad taught me if your going to pick something your going to do for the rest of your life be the best at it. Do your best.

Never accept others telling you it can't be done. Just keep working towards your goals. Pick something you enjoy doing. Don't worry if your still in school as life continues on it all comes together and will workout. No need to worry. Don't let life scare you. Once we enter the workforce were all a tooth on the gear of life. It would be so boring if we all were clones and did the same thing.

God bless, bill

[gardnerjigman]

Go get a job, and get to the top. Doesn't matter what it is you do, it's work to get to the top, so, you better like it.

 

Exactly. Doesn't matter if it's a professional sport, college, working at McDonald's, or a fortune 500 company... Every aspect of life has different levels of success. 

 

Each level presents it's own challenges and commitment. 

 

Think about it... Take Sears for example. They have thousands and thousands of employees... Your chances of being a guy on the floor selling tools is great. How much sacrifice, determination and commitment do you think it takes to be the CEO of Sears? 

[senile1]

Don't let fear get to pick what you are going to do with your life.  I have students all the time tell me they are not going to college because they don't want to take out a loan.  I get that but the loan is an investment in your self.  

 

If being a lawyer is what your heart is set on then got for that!!  The only voice talking you in or out of something needs to be the one coming from your own heart 

 

The problem with following your heart is that you have to have the open-mindedness to gauge if you really have the skills to do what you have your heart set on.  That's why many people who chased really big dreams are living check to check.  They aren't very good at assessing their abilities.  So . . . . if you have your heart set on something, you should also analyze yourself to see if you have the inherent skills and mindset to make that dream a reality.  Otherwise, come up with a different dream, or at least have a plan B if plan A doesn't work out.

 

I know a lot of musicians who never made it and had no fallback plan.  Careers in dishwashing aren't very lucrative.

[J Francho]

I never considered the lucrative side of music. I focussed on the path, not the destination. Same goes for fishing.

http://theconcussed.bandcamp.com/track/champlain-dervish

[senile1]

I never considered the lucrative side of music. I focussed on the path, not the destination. Same goes for fishing.

http://theconcussed.bandcamp.com/track/champlain-dervish

 

You and I are both in the same boat with regard to music.  But we also have other careers that pay well.  We didn't just decide we were going to go for broke with music and not have a plan B (or a plan A2).  

[J Francho]

I didn't really think about it. I didn't start getting paid decent money until a few years ago. I don't have a degree, and my fallback plan b is working at my family's restaurant. I wouldn't say I went for broke, but I spent most my life broke, lol.

[fish devil]

Local FLW pro Adrian Avena has a budget of over $70,000 for this year.  He's having fun out there....boat loads!!!   Only a select few make it and stay on top. That's the way life is.

[bigbill]

But getting sponcers is tough. You need to win or compete at a high level. That's eat, sleep, fish, dream about fishing 24/7. That's worst than marriage time wise.