The first thing you need to fish as a pro is MONEY. That way you see most of the tour level pro have lots of sponsors. But as far as getting started, as a few stated, I would start as a co-angler in the BLF/BWS to started, move up to the EverStart/Bass Opens and then FLW Tour and learn as much as you can. Then move to being a boater in the same process. Getting sponsors is very hard, its who you know and what you can do for them, fishing is second unless you win all the time.