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So You Want to Turn Pro?

Charles Stuart
All Rights Reserved By Author

    Many people would like to compete on the tournament trails, and
would do very well, even win large sums of money. The first thing you
have to ask yourself is, "do I have what it takes"? I will try to outline
below some of the roadblocks and requirements to answer your
questions?
 

      Well to start with, you need angling know-how. A good understanding of the lifestyle and habitat of the fish
you want to catch, including feeding and mating habits. Then, you have to think like a fish! These are just a
few of the prerequisites you will need before "stepping up to the plate".

    I began fishing in London, England at the age of six on the banks of the river Thames. Ten years later, I
was competing in local tournaments or matches against some of the best in the country. Using the oldest
cliche of all " I was hooked". By the age of twenty, I was fishing in championship competition in different
lakes, rivers and streams, all over Europe.

    When I arrived in the United States twelve years ago, I fished European style and kept catching these
unusual fish called largemouth bass (they are not native to Europe, however some have been found in Italy
and Spain). Four years ago I joined a local Long Island bass club and it was there that I laid down the
foundation for what I do today. I began watching the senior club member's catch bass consistently. I learned
and used their styles combining them with my own and formed a set of techniques that I use today.

    Once you have established a track record in tournaments at a local level, sponsorship is a great way to
start. When selecting a sponsor, use their product because if you like it and it works for you, you will have no
trouble whatsoever promoting its benefits on the road. Remember if you have no confidence in a product, you
will never successfully convince others to use it. Always contact the marketing division of the company and
get a name to whom you can write a letter, attaching your resume and relevant information about your fishing
capabilities.

    Most sponsorship in the beginning will be in the form of product. Once you have established a professional
track record, then dollars become part of the bargaining process. This can be a lump sum per annum, or a
"salary" based on sales and seminar or trade show appearances. A fact worth remembering is that there is
more sponsorship dollars in fishing today than golf and tennis combined!

    While on the subject of dollars, this sport, like so many others is not inexpensive. A typical tour of four,
one-week tournaments will cost you $2400.00 just to enter. Next comes food, lodging, fuel and equipment,
plus "on the road" vehicle and vessel repairs. The amounts can vary, but a general rule of thumb is between
$6000.00 and $8000.00 per annum for this one tournament trail.

    One-day tournaments are cheaper, but still require overnight accommodations, entry fees and all the other
items previously mentioned. A weekend tournament (typically Saturday and Sunday) will average between
$300.00 and $600.00 dependent upon location.

    Travel and vacation time play an important role in your decision to turn pro. You will need a minimum 6
weeks vacation per year if you hold down a full time job. That can be tough and you will need an understanding
boss. Virtually every weekend you will be on the water, fishing or practicing. I was once told while fishing with
the legendary angler Woo Daves, "there is no substitute for time on the water". How right he was.

    When you begin fishing from the back of another angler's boat, you must have the basic skills to catch fish
from various locations regardless of who is in control of the boat. The "back seat" angler's who does his or her
homework have won many tournaments.

    As if all that was not enough, you should be prepared to address large crowds and speak to the press or
television crews who will come to you for comment and information. The spectator and weekend angler is the
bread and butter of this $70 billion per annum industry. Without him or her, there would be no tournaments,
no new lures, rods, reels or equipment, simply because there would be no one to buy the goods or watch the
shows on the weekend!

    Some of the touring anglers can sometimes become aloof when dealing with the public. Their success is
usually short lived and they pay the price for forgetting their beginnings. When dealing with the press, they
can be your best friend, or your worst enemy. Personally, I prefer the first of the two choices. Always make
time for them, tell them what they need to know and make sure you use the name of your sponsor/s in your
conversations with them.

    Well if that has not scared you away from the tournament trail, then feel free to contact me for further
information and hints on getting started.

************* back to the top **************

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