Did you read??

[Danny]

How many of you read the article on BassFan about how little pros actually make? According to that article, there are only around 20-25 that make a decent living unless they win tournaments.

What do you think... true or made up?

Danny

[MarkW]

Well, what do you consider a "decent living"? I have heard certain money amounts---I'd quit my job for the prices I heard. That wasn't even for the big guys. But, it's all relative---some company might pay someone 100 grand to fish--but, the fisherman may have to pay for everything. Sounds like decent money, but if you don't know the details of their contracts---you really don't know what's decent or not.

[DJD]

I did not read the article but i believe that a small percentage make decent money and an even smaller percentage do very well, the rest just keep trying. That life style of being a bass pro would not be for me. More power to the men and women who do that for a living.

[Danny]

Hey Mark,

Basically the article says that three top pros, who would remain anonymous gave details of their contracts. According to the article, the contracts rarely pay cash, mostly products at cost, reduced cost, delayed billing, etc... They did have one who said he had one sponsor that would pay him $500 a month, but that seemed to be the exception, rather than the norm. Now how many of those sponsors would make the difference. They said only a very few anglers got free boats. But most of them got reduced price and delayed billing, but normally did not make much money off of them. One said he got two boats a year, and tried to make enough to pay entry fees, although this year he would not. One of them said he only made enough fishing once in the last ten years to pay income taxes.

It is also made clear that these guys supposedly have won major tournaments, are household names and have been around 10-15 yrs or longer.

Here is a link to the story:

http://www.bassfan.com/news_article.asp?id=1666

After reading it, I'd like both of your opinions again.

Thanks


Danny

[MarkW]

Danny,
Actually I read this article before I even saw your post. Sorry, but I don't believe everything I read. Again, their personal story may be true, but I think what they are saying about the others is not all true and only speculation. I think that corporate America has slowly gotten into this sport and I think there are some very good deals out there. Marketing is where it's at. I think the good marketing guys--not necessarily the good fishermen are making some good deals. Like I said, I have heard stories of what some of them get---some good deals and some not so good. I also never meant they would get rich, unless you were a KVD or Denny Brauer, but they can make a decent living.
One more thought----if I could fish all of the time,travel to new lakes and catch big bass and take a chance to win some real money and have my bills paid and expenses taken care of and can "break-even". I'd do it in a heart beat. It's just like any other job----just a lot more fun.

[bassin101]

Being a professional fisherman is a hard life. Can you imagine forking out that much cash for entry fees, food and lodging? Then practice for two or three days 12-15 hours a day coming in respooling all you poles reorganizing all your tackle grab a bite to eat then get ready for the tournamnent. Wake up at 4 in the morning fish an 8 hour tournament 3 or 4 straight days if you make the cut, waiting to weigh in your fish respool your poles, eat, then go to bed and do it all over agiain. That sounds absolutely exhausting. I know how tired I am if I just fish a little two day tournament much less a 4 day tournament and 2 or three days of practice.

[mattplapp]

I personally know about 40 pros and have pretty good knowledge of their incomes and it's very tough. There are about 30-40 guys getting paid really well, but that's year to year, most of them don't have long contracts. Then there's a portion of them that don't have the big sponsorships and must win to pay the bills. Look at the Elite Series, it's about $90,000 for expenses and entry fees. If finish in the top 50 in all 11 that's at least $110,000 ($10,000 for 15-50th places). Now if you take into consideration a house payment, wife and kids and some fun here and there and that extra $20,000 does not go far.

I have not read the story yet, but I can tell you there will be some bankrupt pros at the end of this year.

Matt

[MarkW]

I stand corrected Danny---Matt should know for sure what the expenses are. I trust his answer on this one. But, overall, I still look at it like a regular job---it's all about what you like to do and at what expense you are willing to take to do it.

[VMAXX]

I dont see how they do it either, medical ins. probably eats them alive (unless their wife works and gets it through her job)
not to mention what will they do for a retirement? I thought the PAA used to offer them something not sure tho. Im sure the pro's in the lower ranks sleep in there trucks and live on beenie weinees alot (lol) But like Mark if I were single and no family that struggle would be enjoyable



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Vmaxx >)))^((">

[BillDay]

I have been blessed enough to be able to fish in the bigger tournaments and have made a few really good friends while doing so. Three of which are real big names with FLW Outdoors and BASS.

What I have learned from these guys is that they basically live the life of a vagabond. They run their cards up to live and then pay them down with the money they win. I have done enough of it to know how truly hard it is to not only cash checks in the big tournaments but also how hard they have to live. They are always exhausted, physically and financially. But, it's a culture unto itself and these guys, for the most part, are happy. They are frustrated, worn out, beat up, sunburned and sometimes very lonely, but they are a happy group. It is also very neat to see how the folks in this traveling circus help each other out with equipment, tools, etc. They are like a family.

The sad fact is that they really only have their next tournament to look forward to and nothing else with regards to their future. This culture can ##### you in to the point that you really don't care what happens in the future as long as you are with your friends at the next tournament. Plus, the yearly schedule keeps them so busy that they really can't afford to concentrate on anything other than the "NOW" of getting on fish and making good fishing decisions. It is great but reality will catch up. I have seen it many times. A guy may be the "big name of the month" among his peers, but nobody in the "real" world has ever, or likely will ever, hear of him. Then when fishing is over, the guy has a hard time adapting to normal life with regards to work and relationships.

All the guys I am referring to are running sponsored boats, have entry fees partially or wholly paid, and get some sort of financial help from time to time. But the reality of the fishing business is that it simply takes way more to operate than people ever realize until they try it.

Hopefully, fishing will get to the point where guys like this can get paid for WHAT they do and not HOW they do. I don't see it any time soon, but I sure hope for my friends sake that it does. I'm just glad I've got a real job. Lord knows I'd starve if I had to fish for a living.
BIll

[Danny]

Thanks guys and to everyone else too. I appreciate your inputs.

I'm kind of like Mark and VMAX, I think if I were in my early twenties again, and single, no children, etc... it would be fun for a while anyway.

I made the prediction a while back that fishing will evolve to a team sport. It is taking longer than I thought, but the movement was there for awhile.

Remember the USA team vs. the world team that eSPN had? Remember FLW has "teams" sort of... they have several sponsored by the same company.

Now we ahve the colleges geting bass clubs going. I can see that evolving into a recognized sport.

Then teams could be formed, and a draft of sorts could be put in place to draft the fishermen from college. A salary would be paid, and the companies would foot the bills and keep the winnings. More security for the anglers, and a bigger payback potential for the companies footing the risk of fees.

Remember, you guys read it here first. I do think this will still happen, if fishing does continue to grow. Just imagine, made for tv matches... kind of like Ultimate Match Fishing... only it would be teams agains teams. Oh yeah, Bass Champs has something like that now, only not as organized.

Too bad Irwin Jacobs is not breaking down my door to hire me and to get me to help make this a reality. LMAO

Danny

[artcarney_agr]

I've heard countless pros talk about the hardships of being a pro angler. Most say you should avoid it if you can! As with all things in life, you can't be in it for the money. To some, fishing everyday and loving what you do is worth more than anything in the world - but it usually always comes at great sacrifice.

Remember: Great success comes with great sacrifice and success should never be measured by your bank statement.

Regards,

Scott