Bassin' USA - Bass Fishing Forum Archives

Just wondering how you pros went about becomeing a pro. Really think i have alot to offer in this fishing world. lol at least i do. just for my own info thats all. thank you all.

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First off let me explain that I do not consider myself as a "PRO" I make my living doing another job. There are very few "PRO'S" that make their living fishing tournaments. There are alot of folks that are "PRO's" in the feild that are very PROFESSIONAL in the way that they conduct themselves and are able to help others with questions that they have about bass fishing. Our Own Jonnie Crane comes to mind when you talk about this catagory of "PRO" He is always (pardon the pun) Jonnie on the spot with answers to questions and the way that he presents himself and gives of his time helping other and doing seminars teaching others what he really LOVES to do, and from what I understand HE'S ONE HECK OF A FISHERMAN.

Now if your talking about PRO's that make their living fishing the one I would be pattering myself after would be VANDAM what a class act he is.. He probably works harder than any other out there to be a PROFFESIONAL..

Guides are another form of PRO that are out there these guys spend 365 days a year on the water and work very hard to keep their clients on fish. IF they don't they don't get payed.

So I guess what I'm tring to say is you need to deside what you WANT to be and how you would like to be considered as a "PRO"
and go for it. Places like this board are a great way to start. Remember that alot of what you say is just opinion when it comes to fishing NOTHING is ever written in stone, these little green fish that we chase have minds of their own and never seem to follow the rules. So the best advise you get from the "PRO's" is just what works for them. Everyone has their own way of doing things..

Hope I answered your question if not maybe some of the others can offer some of their input..

Thank you verry much for your awser. i do agree that kevin works hard at what he does and is my fav overall fisherman. i love watching him and the kind of mind he uses when he's fishing for largemouth, any sort of fish at that matter. thank you verry much. just would like to get in some tourneys but it hard without a boat. i have a little bass Hunter 2 seater but if there would be 5hp winds i would flip lol. thank you once again. good luck fishing.

I think the word Pro is over rated. I mean anyone can go and get a pro card. I consider a true Pro, someone who makes his entire living from the fishing industry, doesn't necessarily have to come from tournament fishing. As an outdoor writer, tournament angler and tackle shop owner, I guess I have that covered but I don't consider myself a Pro. There are a handfull of elite guys maybe the top 10 or 15. After that, everyone else is pretty even keel. I was at the Classic wearing my sponsor TX shirt and people were asking for autographs. It was funny but I signed for them.

I totally agree with the term Pro being used loosely. Most anglers have to hold down jobs as sponsorships rarely provide adequate compensation to cover all costs associated. Some of my neighbors have asked me: "are you a pro"? Because they see preparing my rig and equipment while dressed in my tournament apparel. I answer: "I wish I was because I cant envision a better job to have". If you cant leave a real job to fish this doesn't mean your not a pro. You can always act like a Professional such as: assisting at a casting for kids event, taking a person out who never fished before to teach them, helping a person select a lure in a store and so on. Regarding a small boat: The boat is just a platform to fish from nothing more and nothing less. I remember entering my 1st tournament with then my trusty "Tracker 16 ft Aluminium", guys in high dollar rigs looking at me like as if I had 3 eye*****. At the end I thoroughly enjoyed the 3 pound win over the 2ND place guy. Don't ever think the boat will do anything to improve angling skill, that is entirely angler dependent. Study a lake map, pre-fish, find areas and do your best. Remember: Act like a pro at all times, fish often, and you are on your way.


Bassin
Butch

Basscastin
The only qualification needed to be called a "pro" is that you have won money at a tournament.The guys gave you some good information above. To be a pro you have to act like a pro.
Truthfully, you have to start at the very bottom rung of the ladder umless your are rich. You can buy your way into the Pro circuit, but you can't buy the designation of being a real pro. That encompasses everything from field testing, writing, radio and tv show, seminars, instructor and pro staff positions. I consider most everyone on Bassin' a pro angler in their own right.
Pros nearly always start out fishing local bass events at the club level, some even out of the back of the boat. Then after you gain confidence you can move up to regional events. You've got to make a name for yourself, by getting write-ups in loccal papers, having a writer take enough inyerest in you to write about you and just basically been seen and heard as often as possible. ALWAYS be very careful how you present yourself in public. Someone will be watching. When you win or place high in tournaments, send a photo of you and your catch along with the product used to the company that produces the bait/baits. Get to know these people, they may come in handy later. Ask for a low level field test position, this can become a bigger and better project once you've proven yourself. You must be able to convince companies that you can not only catch fish, but can represent the company in various ways.
Be a gracious loser, we all lose and when we do it tells a lot about us by the way we react to the loss. Be the first to congratulate the winners.
You must be able to write resumes and promo materials and definately use spell check and grammer check. If you have questions about a specific product call the manufacturer and ask. This lets them know you are interested in their products and may help seal a deal later.
You really need to seek employment in the "outdoor" field. Tackle shop, marine biology, tackle sales-rep. anything to do with the industry.
Just don't get into a big hurry, because nothing happens over night. It has taken me 30 years to become even considered a "pro". I do make my living in the fishing industry, but that requires doing about five different jobs all at once.
If you really desire to become a professional angler, it can be done, lots of hard work and a good clean record!! Good luck, Johnnie

Thank you guys for you information. It really put a whole new light on how I look at becoming a professional.
I now got a better look on how to approach this situation. Thank you very much and thank you once again.
: Luke

I once read that a touring pro has somewhere in the neighborhood of 80,000 yearly in out of pocket expenses. Why do you think many sleep in their trucks? I always get a kick out of the story about how Rick Clunn likes to stay in campgrounds, and that's how he befriended the Japanese fello who won the Classic. The latter also slept in his truck. carl

Carl, you're right. it costs a bunch to be a touring pro. After all Rick Clunn has accomplished and how much money he has won, he still has to watch the old budget. A lot of these guys have won $1 million , but they have done so over a period of thirty years, I made that much working in a factory! Of course, I woul;d have traded places with them