Question for profesonal fisherpeople?

[moreyes]

Always have dreamed about fishing tourny's someday. Just wondering what do you guys do for a job? Guides or whatever else? Fishing tourny's can not be enough to live on. I have read some stuff about the people and they list there occupation as fishing? Just imagine a job that you would really like, or do you actually get sick of it after a while? Also how did some of you get into it at a higher level?

Thank's and "GOOD LUCK" moreyes

[chadk66]

Some sort of self employment is a must or at least an extremely understandable boss.

[Nofish]

Hey Moreyes,

I for one can tell you, even the most understanding employer can turn into a boss after a short time. The demands of fishing competitively are tremendous. Both financially and with employment concerns in the real world.The time constraints are demanding and relationships get strained, even if you have an understanding spouse and employer.

The fact is, not many Pro anglers make their living entirely in the fishing business. Some do, but they also work very hard to do so. I have been stompin around the tournament arena for more than 18 years, with the last 11 as a "Pro".

I cannot think of any angler that makes the majority of their income from tournaments alone. Every angler I can think of also does seminars, sponsor promotions, guides, writes etc.

If you are hired on and disclose your tournament aspirations and plans, most employers are better prepaired to deal with this. If you are long time employed, some employers are willing to give a bit for a good employee, but even that can strain relations eventually. Many employers don't bend, and you are limited to vacation time and seniority issues.

I also know many who are self employed and they will tell you that it is also very taxing. Say you run off for a week to fish a tourney. You are self employed. Who is there at work to watch your back? If you are fishing, no business is being done.

If you yourself are an employer it is a little easier, as there are people back at the shop/plant/office to take care of the day to day. But even then, the guys in this position spend a great deal of time "checking in."

As to the guides and such, they will also tell you it is tough to do. Again, if you are not guiding, you are not making money. If you are fishing a tourney instead of guiding, you are spending more money in 5 days than you could have made with clients.

Please do not take my words wrong here. I am just trying to tell you some of the real concerns if you want to enter the Professional arena. I am all for tournament angling and know many anglers in several tourney fields, and I can tell you the level of dedication and sacrifice can be high. More than many can bear.

You basically have to find your nice, and ferret your way into and through the business. Sponsors help tremendously, but will also add to time demands and financial concerns, and travel time.

As to your point of getting tired of it all, many do. But then many don't. Get to know a few guys really workin hard in the business and see how they are doing it. You may want to consider new employment options or talking seriously to your current employer to find out where you may be standing.

And please, if you are married, consider your family. I have had 3 former partners end up in very ugly divorce situations and financial problems over their fishing career.

And above all, have fun.............R

[Peluso]

I have a job where it gives me time in the summers to fish (Pro Hockey). I don't always get as much time to fish as I would like but that is all part of it for now. I still have to work out (train) before I hit the water everyday, but it is a routine I am used to, and love every minute of it.
Now the question as to how I have gotten to fish in these (PWT) events. I have been fishing walleyes since I was knee high to a grasshopper. My father used to pull the boat to a ramp daily when I was 13 and shove me off. I didn't have my drivers permit yet, so he would drop me off lock the trailer to a tree and head to work. He would give me a time to be back at the ramp and I would meet him at that time. We got into a couple of arguments with the Game and Fish, but they realized I was very serious about what I was doing and my Dad used to tell them would you rather have him getting in trouble. Plus, one of our really good friends worked at the G and F and told all the wardens to leave me alone. He said I knew the water better then anyone including the G and F.
I started to fish tournaments when I was 16 all over the state of ND. For some reason with a lot of luck we did really well. Probably because my only job at the time was mowing lawns in the morning and the rest of the day I was able to fish. I think I knew where every walleye was in the state back then. After doing well for a few years I began to build knowledge both on the water and off. Scott and Marty Glorvigen are close family friends and helped me aong. I used to hang on them to learn whatever I could. They were great for me, helping me get my foot in the door with a lot of people. I have since moved this fishing and hockey thing forward. I like where I am at and the direction I am going. I used to say I was going to do this someday and now I am. The old saying if you put your mind to it you can do anything you want is true in my case. I still have a lot to learn and accomplish. I am making new goals everyday and plan on reaching them. I also have some great sponsors now that pay for all my fishing I do. Without them this would be very difficult. So thanks to all of them! Another goal of mine is to pass everything I have learned on to other people who are interested in the sport. I think this is the only way we can better. Plus, I am totally in love with fishing! I can't think what I would rather be doing right now. I have a great situation and for that, I thank the big guy upstairs for helping me. Good fishing and don't forget to shoot the puck. Mike Peluso #999

[cisco]

Read Daryl Christensen's book, "Diary of a Walleye Pro" (or some such title, it's close). Check his website linked to WC. It gives you a pretty good glimpse of two years in the life of a full-time pro angler. Remember, too, Christensen works hard at writing and speaking as well as fishing.

[TBO/MN]

Well, here is a perspective that comes from someone that has wanted to fish pro. tournaments all his life, but had to raise a family,and hold down a "regular" job. I have fished for walleyes for 45 years, and thought I was pretty good at it. I had goals of being a pro. walleye fisherman, even before it was a known occupation. After 6 years in the Marine Corps, a wife, and a baby son, I thought maybe that fishing should be put down a ways on the list of my lifes priorities, and it was...yet, really always there. I graduated from college and went on to do my other passion, teach. I have spent the last 26 years building a life for myself and my family, and yet still had that itch to fish at a higher level. Well, my children are grown and out on their own now, and "grandpa" still had this dream of fishing as a pro. I knew that I was going into "very" stiff competition, and knew that I wasn't going to win any events, at least at first. So, I saved some money over a 2 year period, and took my whole summer to fish. The money thing was a big part of it, the cost of being on the road, entry fees, equipment, and upkeep on equipment is tremendous. I did it on my own, only some thanks to Mercury outboards for helping out with their "Pro Team Program" that helped get me into a new outboard. Now that I am wide awake about this style of life, I have to commend those that can do it, and reallize that it isn't all glory. I did it, and loved it, but to think of making a living at it is crazy. I only spent one year with it, and this year will reevaluate, plan new stratagies, and save for next year. I can do it, I love it, and maybe, just maybe I will someday cash a check.....I don't think I'll cash it...I think I'll frame it, and hang it on the wall. If you have a family, spend the time with them, now.......and wait until it is "your" time, it feels better that way.

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[GORD]

It's a rich mans sport. You need both time and money. A regular working stiff can only do a few tournaments here and there. It's out of the price range of most guides and river rats. Alot of guides and river rats give tournaments a try, but they soon learn how expensive it is. They also learn how hard it is to win.

[Caleb]

WEll I want to tell you guys that watch out in a few years for the name CALEB DODSON cause he will be winning those tournaments and making a name for himself.
CALEB
PS Just a warning