to fish or not to fish tis the question

[Banor]

  Quote

Jason Quinn stats since 2002

Career Winnings: $450,957.63

Avg. Per Tournament: $5,433.22

Cash Winnings: $370,122.63

Merchandise Bonus: $65,000.00

Cash Bonus: $15,835.00

That's a gross yearly average $90,191

Minus taxes

Minus tournament expenses for 12 tournament (2006)

Minus expenses for a house in South Carolina, a wife and 3 children

He has 3 major sponsors Nitro, Mercury, & Evan Williams ($300,000?)

I'm not being sarcastic here, truly curious...

Do you really think he pays his entry fees?  I'm guessing he doesnt have a boat payment like alot of us?  I'd be willing to bet alot of gear is handed to him?  Those 3 major sponsors obviously dont include the tackle sponsors.  He's promoted some lures for Brian's Bees.  I dont know if he's compensated but if he is then I'd be willing to be his crank baits are coverd.

My wife and I's yearly income combined totals 90,000 and I have enough to pay Stren(next year) and BFL entry fees plus local tournaments.  Not to mention I pay for all of my gear and my boat out of my own pocket.  I just picked up my first and only sponsor who is covering all of my BFL entry fees so that's even less of a concern.

Let's just say for the sake of argument that he's not getting 300,000 - he's only getting 50,000 in sponsorship money.  50,000 would cover my travelling expenses for about 3 years.  I just spent 6 days down in Tennessee fishing a tournament and spent a total of 1000.00 for the round trip.  That would be 50 tournaments I could have financed without factoring in entry fees.

If you budget well you can easily live on what we are estimating that Jason Quinn has made.  It's all about budgetting.

I agree with the above poster who stated we dont know what the mid level anglers are making.  I fully intend to find out first hand.

I'm definately not saying that anyone could do it but I do think we are making it out to be harder than it is financially.  The toll it takes on family has the potential of being rough, I'll agree with that.  Sacrifices have to be made.  The only question is, "are you prepared to make them?".

B

[flyphisher #]

I knew someone would say was i was making this up. :

Dont argue with me, argue with Bassmaster magazine.Those figures are for total sponsorship dollars...that is where those numbers come from. They do make cash for doing alot of seminars and other public appearance that pay as much as $5000 a day.

Entry fees for elites series - $5500 per event, $55,000 for season.

Ike was recieving $400,000 a yr. just from Ranger before he was dropped.

John Crews only got $63,600 total sponsor money in 06 w/ very little sponsorship.

Skeet Reese has won $800,000 in 9 years pro, even more with his finishs this year since publication of this article...more numbers to play with.

So yeah I want to be a mediocre/mid-tier bass pro, sounds like it would beat the hell out of what i am doing now.

[Catt]

So yeah I want to be a mediocre/mid-tier bass pro, sounds like it would beat the hell out of what I am doing now.

So why aint ya?

I wouldn't exactly call Quinn, Reece, & Ike mediocre or mid-tier

Do y'all know how many anglers are on the tournament circuits?

Do y'all know how many anglers aint making this type of money?

[flyphisher #]

I didnt call them mid-tier.

Unless something catastrophic happens I will have my chance to be "mid-tier" in the future.

I know how many people are also trying to do it. I am not ignorant about this nor am I a 14-16yr old daydreaming about winning the classic. Thanks for trying to get me banned.

[Catt]

How am I trying to get you banded?

That decision is not up to me

You are quoting facts you have read while I am quoting facts I have read; we both posted those facts here.

That is what forums do

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Banned????  Where did THAT come from?  

I'm pretty sure all Catt is saying is that sponsors don't come up to you and say here's 40k.  One company may say here's a boat (45k),...here's 40 bags of every plastic we make,...(6k),...speak in our 90 second commercial on espn (10k),...etc, etc, etc.  add these up and there's the grand total.

I was fully sponsored by many companies when I skied for US freestyle ski team.  I was given thousands of dollars in products, clothing, etc.  NEVER was I given a check to just cash and do with as I may.

I think that is CAtt's point.

and noone is getting banned as long as you continue to respect each others opinions on this.

[flyphisher #]

I probably shouldnt say anything else in this thread. Last time I disagreed was told I was wrong like this,I got a warning from a mod, even though some other person was "stirring things up." Kinda like Catt is doing now.

The #'s are in the friggin bassmaster mag. exactly like i posted.

[Catt]

Exactly what am I stirring up?

You stated sponsorship facts based on Bassmaster magazine

I stated cash earnings based on ESPN.com: Bassmaster Index Angler Profile

Up and coming anglers read these facts then make their minds up on rather the want to pursue this career or not.

That is how a forum works  

While sponsorship is a definite advantage they do not pay house notes, car notes, car insurance, hospitalization, child care, electric bills, and clothes ect ect ect.

[largemouthslayer]

I can tell you from first hand traveling as a professional at anything is not what it seems. I played golf professionaly for 5 years on and off many mini tours which would equal the Stren Series and if you don't make it. It takes the fun out. I slept in cars ,ate saltine crackers and spagittioes for monthes at a time. One time in a Nike event I stayed in a tent at camp ground in Panama City that had an outdoor ping pong table (now that sux).

I have people come up to me and ask if they should turn professional and I would never want to discourge someone from chasing a dream. But be real. If you can't win at least 90% of your local or state tournaments then don't even think about it. You are only setting yourself up for failure. Which in turn takes the fun out of it.

I love fishing too much to hate what it would become!

[Ky_Lake_Dude]

Yeah I would fish them.