wanting to go professional

[GHOSTRIDER71]

I need advice on going pro as a co-angler for now until I can get a boat. I have fished for 42 years and am dedicated and devoted, not caring what type of weather or conditions and am constantly studying and using different techniques, some I have learned and others on my own. I just need some solid advice and some help please. I am going on 46 years old and this is something I have wanted to do for a long time. Fortunately, I am off work on weekends and have vacation time every year until I can build up a reputation as being one of the best to get sponsorship. Thank you for your time. I live in Memphis Tennessee.

[Catt]

Professional Co-Angler?

[WRB]

Maybe fishing pro-am in open events. The pro who owns the boat and fishes from the front end earns 90% of the prize money, the am gets a atta boy!

Good luck.

Tom

[RoLo]

 

I'm not aware of any way to embark on a professional career "before' owning a boat.

 

Roger

[RichF]

Unfortunately, being a co-angler won't get you very far.  I don't believe you'd ever be considered a "pro" until you compete as a boater in the triple A tourneys (BASS Opens, FLW Costas) regularly.  If you're looking to get a small taste of the sponsorship/pro staff game, check out NPS.  A lot of anglers are getting pro staffer deals thru it.  You definitely have to put work into it, promoting via social media, etc but it gives you a glimpse into that side of the sport.  My suggestion is to learn all you can as a co-angler, talk to boaters/pros who compete in large tournaments, and ask them about the sponsorship side of things (if they have any sponsors).  Once you get yourself a boat, then you can get a little more serious.

[Catt]

What tournament trails y'all got in Tennessee?

 

Down here we have BassChamps, Texas Team Trail, Bass-N-Bucks, Oilman's Tournament Trail, Media Tournament Trail; all of these are just as competitive as any FLW or B.A.S.S. event. Many Pros fish BassChamps, Texas Team Trail, & Bass-N-Bucks.

 

Denny Braeur retired, moved to Texas to keep his competitive edge!

 

What I'm saying is if you cannot compete at this level no need going "Pro".

[fishballer06]

If you have never fished even at a club level, I would suggest into doing that for a year or two before ever making the jump to a high level like the BASS Opens or FLW Costa series. 

 

As far as I know, a co-angler is a co-angler. All guts, no glory. 

 

As a fellow back deck angler, best of luck!

[GHOSTRIDER71]

Thanks for the info. I caught 9 yesterday with my biggest one at 6lbs. I then lost a Hawg at least 8+ or better when he threw the hook! Nobody else was catching anything except me! Best of luck and stay in touch.