Torn

[Devan S.]

2 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

I talked to my kids about probabilities in a career.  A high percentage of doctors make decent coin but ditch diggers make ditch digger coin no matter what.  I wonder what the percentage of just STL area kids that play "select soccer" ever get to the pros.  My daughter went to a Class 6 high school and there was a bunch of crying "select soccer" players that couldn't even make her team.  And I mean a bunch!  Pursuing pro sports as a career is low percentage game.

I think the NCAA did some research on this at one time and published % of high school athletes that go D1 or D2 and then go onto a pro level. 

As I recall for the major "pro" sports that get you into making serious money its something like less than 10% to college and then like low single digit percentage or less than 1% to pros. So effectively a tenth of a percent chance your high school standout makes it pro. Some sports don't make squat when you factor in the "real" costs and I would assume pro fishing would be that way for all but a handful of the actual guys(even then they make their money elsewhere). In fact, I would bet there's more money to be made as a BAD doctor, scientist, engineer, salesman, or project manager than there is being a mid of the pack pro fisherman. 

If someone had a serious interest in fishing. I would highly recommend pushing them towards marketing, engineering, business and get in the industry and work there. A lot more money to be made with the stability of not having to chance everything to make your next entry fee count unless you can really beat the top dogs day in and day out. If they decide then someday they don't like it there not just a washed up fisherman selling junk on TV, they have skills that put them somewhere else. 

 

[tjm]

13 minutes ago, Devan S. said:

marketing,

From an outsider's view point that looks to be where the long term money is in pro fishing. But, if the pro fishing thing ever dries up a marketing degree and the experience can be turned to any other commodity. 

[Al Agnew]

You gotta also think that the absolute number of pro fishermen who actually make a good living is what...less than a couple hundred?  Less than that?  You see the same 50 or so that are consistently in the money at tournaments.  What are the chances of making it into that tiny fraternity?  Local club tournaments are like the high school level, regional tournaments are college level...you better fish those kinds of tournaments for a few years and WIN a lot before you even think about going pro.  My brother fished pro-am tournaments on the amateur side these days, just for the fun of it, and he sees quite a few young guys fishing the pro side who are only there because they were able to scrape up the money or their parents were willing to foot the bill for boat, equipment, travel, and entry fees, and they are usually spectacularly unsuccessful.  Of all the sports I can think of that furnish the better pros with good livings, bass fishing is one of the most expensive to gain entry to, though one of the least difficult to get into IF you have the money and the time.

As for the marketing aspect, that is very important, AND you better be a GOOD marketer.  That's one of the underestimated areas of importance to making a living at things like this.  You can parlay a tournament win or two into a LOT of lucrative contracts if you are personable, articulate, and knowledgeable.  But companies shy away from people, no matter how good they are, who are too shy, can't express themselves--or even if they are just not good looking.

I don't know...you want to encourage kids to "follow their dreams", but somehow you also have to make them see the realities.  And that's tough to do when you're dealing with teenagers.

[Seth]

I think encouraging kids to get in to fishing is good enough. If they decide they want to pursue it a higher level, make them understand that they need to have the income to support that hobby/habit first and foremost. I'm not saying to not encourage people to chase their dreams, but always have a back up plan in case it doesn't pan out. Kevin Vandam started out with the intentions of going back to the family construction business if it didn't pan out for him. I'm sure several others had similar plans in place, but it worked out and they were able to continue living the fishing dream.

I enjoy tournament bass fishing, but I don't think I could ever do it on a high level. One day of tournament fishing is enough for me. If I had to practice for several days BEFORE actually fishing the tournament then I think I would get burned out really quick. Some guys have that drive and will fish every single day though.

[Mitch f]

1 hour ago, Al Agnew said:

 

1 hour ago, Al Agnew said:

Of all the sports I can think of that furnish the better pros with good livings, bass fishing is one of the most expensive to gain entry to, though one of the least difficult to get into IF you have the money and the time.

 

This ^^^^
 

Also, I spoke with a well known pro for quite a while and he expressed some guilt about the toll it took on his family.

[Quillback]

A pro who was a rookie on the Elite series lives near me.  I spoke to him a couple of years ago about going pro, he qualified two years ago, but wasn't financially set to join the tour then.  He thought he had someone lined up to help out with the finances but that fell through.  But he did fish the tour this year, so he must have gotten things worked out.  He didn't do too well unfortunately, don't know if he will be back next year or not, haven't talked to him.

This summer I was waiting at one of the Bella Vista lakes for my fishing partner to arrive, couple of young guys pull up in a new pickup and launch a full sized bass boat.  I was talking to the kid in the boat while his buddy was parking the truck - couple of high school kids, the guy parking the truck was the high school bass fishing champ.  I'm assuming it was the old man's truck and boat,  but times sure have changed since I was in high school.   Not saying it's a bad change, but it is a change.

[snagged in outlet 3]

28 minutes ago, Quillback said:

A pro who was a rookie on the Elite series lives near me.  I spoke to him a couple of years ago about going pro, he qualified two years ago, but wasn't financially set to join the tour then.  He thought he had someone lined up to help out with the finances but that fell through.  But he did fish the tour this year, so he must have gotten things worked out.  He didn't do too well unfortunately, don't know if he will be back next year or not, haven't talked to him.

This summer I was waiting at one of the Bella Vista lakes for my fishing partner to arrive, couple of young guys pull up in a new pickup and launch a full sized bass boat.  I was talking to the kid in the boat while his buddy was parking the truck - couple of high school kids, the guy parking the truck was the high school bass fishing champ.  I'm assuming it was the old man's truck and boat,  but times sure have changed since I was in high school.   Not saying it's a bad change, but it is a change.

If someone offered me a career but I needed money to do it I would have to pass on that deal.  

[Quillback]

4 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

If someone offered me a career but I needed money to do it I would have to pass on that deal.  

I liken it to borrowing money to play high stakes poker.  You might be an excellent poker player, but you're going to be playing against guys who are all excellent players themselves.  And if you win, you've got to use some of your winnings to pay your backers.  Of course there is the sponsor thing, but the big sponsor money isn't going to show up unless you are successful.  

[liphunter]

Just from personal experience and observation. I think people as a general rule, with plenty of exceptions. A person is kind of what there exposed to in life. If a child is exposed to nothing more than wine coolers and wake boats, then that's probably what they think of when in comes to water and fun. So by all means, show them how to fish!  

[Flysmallie]

You know the other side of this is the not fishing part. You might be the greatest tournament fisherman that ever lived but if you really want to make it in that sport you have to have sponsors. And sponsors want appearances. You are going to spend more time in your jersey inside a building than what you will on the actual water. I think that's what takes the real toll on your life. And if you aren't great at schmoozing the masses then it really doesn't matter how good you are at fishing.

My buddy that was my best man in my wedding is an NHRA Top Fuel Dragster driver and it has taken a toll on his life. He loves it. But it still has taken a toll.