Proffessional fisherman??

[David Kearney]

I have been thinking alot about what it would take to be a Proffessional fisherman. It would be quite a life, almost like being in a band. On the road alot, hauling your gear, different motels, and fishing cabins every week. Hard days on the water...but tournament fishing must be such a rush. So I was wondering, are there any proffessionals on this forum, or has anyone ever been on a tour, or even fished a tournament?? I myself have never fished a tournament...I wouldn`t even know where to begin, I have never had a boat, so the whole thing would be a learning experience. Man, it is tuggin at my every being! It`s a dream, and how hard would it be too make it come true! Hmmm Well let me know what you all think about the pro life?

 

[diggyj]

I have fished a couple of Pro-Am's before. First let me say if you get the oppurtunity to fish one, if you have the money, it's worth every penny. The knowledge you get in a day from a Pro is mind blowing. Way more than getting your own experience from a lifetime of fishing.

The Pros life isn't that great unless like all solo sports you are good at it(Golf very similar).

If you are good, then you have lots of sponsors and they pay for everything. If you are average or below average, you have little or no sponsors, every cost like trailering, lodging, food, fuel, etc. Comes out of your own pocket. If you aren't finishing in the money, you are basically paying to fish.

If you aren't on the big tour, you are fishing lower circuits, qualifiers etc. Like golf, if you don't make enough money to keep your PGA tour card, you go back to Q-school. The lower echelon players struggle. Same for fishing.

If you are someone like Skeet Reese, KVD, Ike, Boyd Duckett, etc. life is great, if you aren't, you are having a hard life on the road. Looks glamorous becausethats what they want you to see. For every one of those stories, there are probably 10 stories of guys selling everything to try to make it as a Pro fisherman. It's not as easy as you think.

Dirk

 

[David Kearney]

Believe me Diggyj, I do not think it would be easy...interesting yes, tough, a challange, but not easy.