What makes an angler a fishing pro? I have heard a lot of varying ideas on this one, but want to see what everyone thinks.
Here are a few descriptions I have heard:
I believe in Number 4 more than anything else.
Note that each tournament series has different criteria as to who qualifies as a pro in their series. In MMTS, we are the highest level of competition I can find for multispecies tournament fishing, we pay to compete as fishing teams, compete seriously with the top in the area, and are definitely involved in promoting fishing and placing our hobby in a good light. So technically we are all professional multispecies anglers.
Fishing leagues can remain a fishing night out with buddies or evolve and get tougher and tougher as many teams learn and become better anglers, manage the clock, prepare better, and make better decisions on the water adapting to conditions and whatever species is ready to bite. I believe anyone fishing more, like in a fishing league, will get better, but the pressure of a tournament series like ours, makes you commit, learn new things and break out of fishing memories and bad habits. That forces us to become better anglers and the competition is already stiff and professional.
I guess you make of fishing, what you want. Some of us fish to relax, others take the competition very seriously and invest thousands into it, and there are many, many different reasons in between. None are worng, as long as you are having fun and keep enjoying your time outside, you are a winner.
What do you think?
I would have to agree with number 4 as well. In the national fishing scene I think the bottom line is how much money you make and how much publicity you get and along with that come sponsors. Each big event has their own definition of what a pro is. So it's a series of test before you can move onto the big national events. Win some lower level brackets to prove yourself that you can make it in the big leagues.
Anyone can start a big walleye fishing event and say if you pay the $1000 entry fee you will be considered a pro. Even if you won, PWT probably won't consider you a pro in their event. You have to prove yourself to the PWT first, like winning their qualifying events.
So I would consider everyone in MMTS to be a pro. But a pro only in MMTS, I would not consider you as a pro in the PWT though, until you can prove to me you can make it at that level.
I got a chance to talk to Ted Takasaki when he was the Duluth Sports Show. Man this guy just loves to fish, you can just tell when he talks about fishing. Kinda of like the teams in MMTS I even asked him what he did in spare time (when he had some), he said he likes to go fishing. You won't get sponsors unless your in the limelight, thats how sponsors get promoted in the fishing scene, thru fishing pro's. He said not to forget fishing is for fun, and making money thru fishing and getting sponsors is a business and treat it like that.
Anyone can call themselves a fishing pro, but actually going out and proving it to sponsors and other anglers is the challenge
By the way, I think as MMTS pro's we can write off our expenses. After all being Pro's we are our own business. I'll have to dig into that more and find out more info on it, like can we write off pre-fishing cost?
Tight Lines....
I would also agree with #4. I fish some tourneys and leagues but in no way would I claim to be a "Pro" at anything. Ok maybe a "Pro" B.S.er. Many would agree with that unfortanutely.
Turning "Pro" is a HUGE committment and shouldnt be taken litely. I have talked to many guys who have tried it and for different reasons didnt last. Things like time, money, family, expenses and sponsorships are hard to come by the 1st several years and without all of them working in unison its very very hard to keep on the water.
Even doing the amature side of things is tough. expenses, time off of work and being away from family can be tough even as a AM if you want to do it for a full season. Also your at the mercy of whoever you get partnered with. Heck the FLW is in the $600 range to fish 2 days as a AM and you dont get any cash just prizes.
So going "Pro" isnt all its cracked up to be. But its easy to see the glory looking in from the outside. Ok Im rambling and probably preaching to the choir on this one.
Anyone who wants to hit the ice with a avid weekend warrior e-mail me and we can set something up. Walleyes4me32@aol.com
Good Fishin and be safe. Northlander