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

[jrbass]

I'm going to do it. I am 18 years old after I get through with all of my schooling. I plan on going for the moon. I'm going to work a job and fish small tournaments till I can afford for one full year on the tour. Then I'm going to do it. That is if i'm good enough.I have brought home some money as a nonboater already.One more thing I am not going to get married.

[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

[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

[MarkW]

Yes, I am single---in my twenties I am not--LOL!!!! 36 to be exact. I do have a teenage son, not married,own my house,truck,boat etc. etc. and having him at his age has kept me from "taking the plunge" sort of speak. But, if you really wanted to do it, I would take the approach like it was a new career and a new business. Let's face it---it's their jobs, just like mine is now. I work everyday,buy work supplies,pay bills,go fish some local and some not so local tourney's, and I try to get by, just like everbody else. I think the guys in the article aren't living the glitz and glamour, but they are doing something they enjoy. I work everyday and make a decent living,try to get by just like them-----BUT don't enjoy it. I'd rather be on the road,fishing, traveling, etc. etc. Like Bill said, it's a way of life, just like we made our own life. Hopefully someday it will match the income of other professional sports---it will take a while to reach that.

[buzzking]

by your description, me and a couple guys I know are right in that 20s, single, unnattached category, but if Irwan or Jerry called me tommorrow and asked me to come live that life I would have to pass. I eat this fishing thing up as much as anyone here but let me give a little advise. Do not EVER turn your hobby into your job, unless you are willing to sacrifice every aspect of your life to your new hobby/job. by making your hobby your job, you no longer have time for a hobby, or any time to just get away, every lasting minute will be taken. Think Ill just keep fishing as my hobby, I like it to much to make it my job, my two cents

[Viper201]

The absolute worst part of the professional side is all the countless hours spent on the interstate driving from one event to the next.Fishing hard for 8-12 hours a day for 6 days is bad enough and harder than most people realize but packing up and getting on the road afterwards and driving anywhere from 2-12 hours to the next event definetly takes a toll on you.Its a whole different world than what people think it is,everything bill said is 100% true.

[fishin350]

If the fishermen don't make any money how come everything is going thru the roof. Baits reels rods boats line

[mattplapp]

we're talking about the pros. And besides that, I'm not sure what items are going through the roof. New items that are improved and better quality are going to cost more, besides that not a whole lot has changed on tackle pricing versus other industry's.

Matt

[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.