Need some advice guys

[JayPea2005]

As many of you may, or may not know, I have been trying to get sponsors for next year as I embark on my quest to make a living from bass fishing.

A long time friend and tackle shop owner has allowed me to use his shop for my how to clinics. Last week he offered to sponsor me next year in the way of tackle at his cost, as well as paying for some ads in our state fishing magazines announcing my how to clinics. The ads are several hundred dollars a piece and in major state mags.

My problem is that I am just as proficient at saltwater species as I am freshwater. He pestered me all weekend about getting my Captain License to take out his over books. He is a charter Captain and has actually bugged me for 10 years to get the license. He says I won't make it to the pros without having the title of "Captain" and that boat/motor manufacturers will not give me the time of day until I do.

To top it off I have advertised my classes as "Bass fishing how to's" since I started. Now he is demanding that I lose the "Bass" and cover saltwater as well as freshwater species in my how to classes.

Guys, he has bent over backwards to help me out now, as well as in the past. I told him this weekend that Pro for me meant "Bass Pro" but he kept on and on about the saltwater thing.

Help, what do I do? Do I throw away this chance he is giving me? Or humor him? :-/ :-/ :-/

I forgot to add that I have no interest in guiding or doing charters. Saltwater or fresh. I am fishing BASS and FLW in 2006. A total of 19 tournaments. I'm sorry, I guess I did not make that part clear. I am trying to break my way into being a professional touring bass professional.

Thanks again guys for any advice you can give.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Being a captain is not an option, it is a requirement to do anything even close to what you are looking to do. You can't get insurance without it to begin with, nevermind state and federal requirements.

If you are serious about guideing and providing a safe, fun day for your clients, obtaining your captain's liscense should be somthing you look forward to. There's a ton to learn. Look into the 6-pack class to begin with.

Becoming a captain is no joke. The term is used with the same respect as the term "doctor" before someones name around here. there's alot of hard studying to do for the classes too, don't take them lightly. What you learn or don't learn can cost or save someones life,including your own.

Good luck, now hit the books.

[Will]

Wow, that can be tough. I would tell him how much you appreciate his help and how generous his offer is, but that your heart is set on a bass pro instead of saltwater. Good luck on the tour!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

my mistake, I answered thinking he said guide, not pro.  Oops.  Either way, captains liscence is good idea!

[Guest avid]

Your kind of in a tough spot.  You have this friend who is in a position to help you but he is pressuring you to do something that you just do not want.  I think if you get your captains license and work with him, you will be going down the road of being a saltwater guide/pro/expert.  If your interest is truly on the bass pro circuit you need to focus on this goal.  Lord knows it is no easy hill to climb.  

[flechero]

You need to do whatever makes the most sense for your situation.... BUT...  a Captain's license can only help you out longer term.  If you don't make it in the pro's (and thousands of great anglers don't) you'll have a big head start on another fishing career as a guide.  (that's a GREAT option to fall back on)  If I were in your situation, I'd tell him that you'll do it, let him pay your way to becoming a Captain and take his overages.  As for the classes, maybe you could keep the Bass class and do an occasional saltwater class also, that way you both get what you want.  Unless you have others looking to throw sponsorship money your way, this sounds like your best opportunity.

Lot's of guys would give up everything to be in your position, count your blessings.

-keith

[Yankee_Bassman]

I assume you want to be a bass pro because that is what you truly want to do, and you must believe you'd be happier doing that than whatever you do for a living now......in my experience, life is way too short to spend it doing something for a living that you don't want to do, and especially if you don't HAVE to do it....it sounds to me like you'll be going to WORK every day, and not real happy with your job. That ain't no way to live if you don't have to, my friend. I've been there and done that....I left a job most guys in my field would have given their right arm for, because I was miserable doing it. I made a lot less money for a long time, but I've never looked back, and I couldn't be happier. Do what makes you happy, and provides a lifestyle that you're comfortable with. Don't worry about what anybody else thinks is good for you. (Naturally, the assumption here is that if you have a family that depends on you, you'll obviously be able to meet your obligations to them as well.......). Good luck.

[K_Mac]

I assume you want to be a bass pro because that is what you truly want to do, and you must believe you'd be happier doing that than whatever you do for a living now......in my experience, life is way too short to spend it doing something for a living that you don't want to do, and especially if you don't HAVE to do it....it sounds to me like you'll be going to WORK every day, and not real happy with your job. That ain't no way to live if you don't have to, my friend. I've been there and done that....I left a job most guys in my field would have given their right arm for, because I was miserable doing it. I made a lot less money for a long time, but I've never looked back, and I couldn't be happier. Do what makes you happy, and provides a lifestyle that you're comfortable with. Don't worry about what anybody else thinks is good for you. (Naturally, the assumption here is that if you have a family that depends on you, you'll obviously be able to meet your obligations to them as well.......). Good luck.

I could not be more in agreement with Yankee. I will only add one thing, at the risk of being politically incorrect: There is power in prayer. Good luck.

[Panamoka_Bassin]

I think that there's much to be said for getting a 6-pack license for all kinds of reasons.  Personally, I didn't think the test was as tough as alot of people made it out to be, but I also took a Captain's Course, which basically is a 20 hour course that goes over absolutley everything on the test.  I don't know where you're at, but I know you can find these courses in local fishing mags, as well as National Fisherman (a commercial fishing mag), and I"m pretty sure Ive seen ads in Saltwater Sportsman and other fishing ttypes.  If they don't help you, contact the US Coast Guard...They really love to help people get to these courses as it makes their jobs much easier when they have educated captains out there.

One other tip that I should have heeded...If it's possible, skip the 6-pack and just go for the 100 ton Master's license.  Takes a little more time and studiing, but in the long run when you want to get bigger, you won't have to go through the rigamarole of taking another course and test.

[JayPea2005]

Thanks to all of you who responded to my delema. All of you made valid points and I sincerely appreciate them all.

I think Keith made the best point that really opened my eyes. It reminded me that my dad always told me to have something to fall back on in the event plans don't go as planned.

I am going to go ahead and get the six pack and have it in my back pocket in the event I need to use it. Saltwater guides down here are pulling down $475 for a full day, not bad money.

By the way, any of you guys who responded to my response have an open invitation if ever in the Tampa Bay area to join me for huge redfish, snook, trout, cobia, or my personal favorite... bass on beautiful lake Tarpon. Lake Tarpon is one of the best bass lakes in the state, and in my back yard. Would love to meet some of the great people who use this forum.

Thanks again and keep the lines tight!  

[Capt. George]

don't shoot yourself in the foot....Capt license mandatory to expanding your career options.

go for the 100 ton.....not a big difference in test...BIG difference in opportunity.

have had a 100 ton Masters for 30 years...most money made was in the I.U.O.E. Local 15 running crew boats on construction sites in NYC.

Did it all, I'm 60 now and still keep my 100 ton current,,,don't be a fool. if you're gonna do it, do it all the way......get a license to be proud of...six pack? a dime a dozen..

best of luck pal....

ran charters from Cape Cod to the FL Keys, most points in between....guided on the beautiful flats of the lower Florida Keys...bones to 13, Tarpon to 200, permit to 35 etc. Now fishing in Baja Sur Mexico...

but, more important, at this stage of my life, returning to my roots......fresh water and the unique and beautiful largemouth bass.....many similarities to my beloved "stripered" bass...

george

[Yankee_Bassman]

By the way, any of you guys who responded to my response have an open invitation if ever in the Tampa Bay area to join me for huge redfish, snook, trout, cobia, or my personal favorite... bass on beautiful lake Tarpon. Lake Tarpon is one of the best bass lakes in the state, and in my back yard. Would love to meet some of the great people who use this forum.

Thanks again and keep the lines tight!