Whats it take?

I know it’s a ways away and alot to think about but I am thinking that i would want to do something along the lines of pro bass fishing when im older! I was wondering how some of you bass guys or tournament fisherman started out? what age? what education it took and what started you off? How much practice it takes? what you do for a carrer besides tournament fishing? and how much work you miss because of tournament fishing? What would be ideal would be to follow a tournament fisherman around for a day or a couple of days just to see what it’s like and to see if it’s something i would really want to do in my life. it would also be interesting to see what it cost on average for a tournament per angler for gear food entry fee ect… Any advice or information is definetly appriciated! thanks Guys

Fish,

I sent you a detailed PM on this, but wanted to add that if you aren’t blessed w/X-RAY vision and are able to see fish in the water like Champman and Jones-In, it will take time , lots of money , and patience

I think you have everyone’s dream there. I know I thought about it in my younger years.

Good idea to get some research on the job.

Best of luck

D

I chose to be a brain sturgeon instead.
A lot less stress.

I know a good number of guides and tourney fisherman and have done a little of both myself … and it wasn’t all that long ago when I was in your position. Very, very few tourney guys or guides fish as a full-time job. And being a tourney fisherman or a guide might not be what you think. Tournament fishermen are salesmen for their sponsors first and foremost. There is a lot of competition and pressure at the high levels and the demands on a guy’s time are endless. The vast majority of tournament fisherman lose money every year because it is so expensive, and most guys only do it seriously for a few years before they go broke or decide they don’t like it.

Guides are customer service specialists who often work as hard or harder than most people and for less money. Most guides would tell you that it’s a difficult job and that money is tight. A guide’s “office” is on the water, but they make a lot of sacrifices to be there.

I also know that tourney fishing and guiding (guiding especially) can be very rewarding for the guys who are willing to make the necessary sacrifices. But you can’t forget about those sacrifices if you are thinking of choosing it for a career.

For me, guiding and tournament fishing mean I have to fish on somebody else’s terms and I don’t enjoy it as much … so I chose to work hard in school and got a job that allows me (financially, and time-wise) to fish a lot. I didn’t always think it was the easiest choice, but now that I’m done with school I think it was. My job lets me fish a ton and I can afford the expenses. And if I decide I want to guide or fish tournaments again in the future it would be much easier for me to do that with savings in the bank and a career to fall back on.

If you work hard and do well in school you’ll have more job options when you’re done, and with more options you’ll have a better chance of finding a job that lets you fish a lot, guide, or fish tournaments.

If you work hard in school you’ll get to fish more in the long run. There are exceptions (guys who didn’t work hard or do well in school and get to fish all the time) but they’re just that – exceptions. Success in school will stack the odds in your favor and make it easier for you to do whatever you want. I bet that’s not the advice you wanted to hear, but I know it is good advice.

Another option is to marry a very rich and generous girl… (don’t sign the pre-nup!! )

John

thanks john that is exactly the advice i needed and what i was planning on! i was just trying to see some of the paths that some of the guys like slop and B.C. and those guys have taken. thanks to every one that has replied to this post you guys are giviing me some great advice for my future thank you

John, that was a great reply and a lot of wise advice. I hope he listens to it; especially the rich and generous woman part.

hey i won’t have a problom listening to that advice thanks again john

Well said John!!!

Most people get the perception that guides and tournament fisherman are full timers and making alot of money at it.

Almost like how people focus dreams of becoming an NBA star basketball player. Only a very, very, very small percentage make it big time, yet they are dreams of many……

Luckily for me, my dream was to become a recruiter for a bed company! I’m living the dream!