At the Richmond Expo this weekend I met a very nice young man that was working for Legend Boats.

 

I asked him how he got the job and he told me that his father was a Legend rep for this area of the country and his dad got him the position, which he loves.

 

He is a COLLEGE GRADUATE and goes around the east coast represeneting Legend boats.

 

So how do you get into the fishing industry?

1.  Get that college degree.

2.  Know somebody in the industry via fishing or writing articles, etc.

 

This proves it is not what you know but who you know.

 

So if you want a career in the fishing industry get out there and meet people.

 

Invest in you future: Attend the Bassmaster and FLW Classics and meet people telling them you want to get into the industry and what they think about their careers and how they got into the fishing industry.

Also don't wear skinny jeans!  

 

Great advice Sam!

Here is a blog from KVD on the 25th. It is a little off topic but you can also apply it to what Sam suggests.

 

http://www.bassmaster.com/blog/fishing-side-becoming-pro

Someone you know can get you a job, or put in a good word for you that help with the selection process.  In the long run, however, it will be your performance that will decide if you will continue with that job or not.

So how do you get into the fishing industry?

1.  Get that college degree.

2.  Know somebody in the industry via fishing or writing articles, etc.

 

This proves it is not what you know but who you know.

 

So if you want a career in the fishing industry get out there and meet people.

 

That may be true, it certainly can't hurt, but even if you know someone, still get that degree if you're able to.

Or start carving your own 'unique' lure...(which I am thinking about doing.)

Currently getting my Masters in Sport Management......kind of a combination of Business/Ethics/Leadership but all in terms of sport. Maybe someday I will be able to help out the fishing industry!

 

 

Or start carving your own 'unique' lure...(which I am thinking about doing.)

You and every other guy at a fishing expo.

Best way to get contacts is to actually fish tournaments with a team. College teams are the best to start and gain contacts with. Trust me there are some complete morons in the fishing industry that have degrees and work pretty good jobs. You dont have to be the brightest person to work in the industry but you have to be able to market yourself.

Getting a degree in marketing and applying to a marketing company that specializes in fishing tackle. Shimano/Tufline/Seaguar and many others all use independent companies to push their products. You will be their face at trade shows.

 

On a smaller scale is to donate your time to local or regional tournaments or pick up a part time job at a fishing tackle store.

 

Get a job at Bass Pro or cabelas to open up some networks.

You and every other guy at a fishing expo.

 

ok, if that's the case, I'll pour some worm.

 

 

Getting a degree in marketing and applying to a marketing company that specializes in fishing tackle. Shimano/Tufline/Seaguar and many others all use independent companies to push their products. You will be their face at trade shows.

 

On a smaller scale is to donate your time to local or regional tournaments or pick up a part time job at a fishing tackle store.

 

Get a job at Bass Pro or cabelas to open up some networks.

 

Good idea.

I went to Culinary School and got my Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management. While I was in school, I realized that food was not my real passion. It has always been fishing.... always. I had a few long talks with myself, and decided that I was going to finish what I started, knowing that educating myself (although it cost me $100,000), was an investment in myself and my future.

After graduating, I became a sales rep for a food manufacturer. I attend food show (like outdoor expos, but FOOD), make sales calls, and manage my market. I am in charge of all sales in a fairly large geographic area. I love meeting and talking to new people, which is why sales is a great career for me. Plus, I get to use my college education I so heavily paid for.

I chose a career in sales with the hopes that, once I gain enough knowledge, I can switch into the fishing industry one day. I have the passion and knowledge of fishing; I just need to build some knowledge on how to be a good representative and manager.

I hope, one day, to live my dream and become a professional in the industry that I love.

 

Wish me luck.

I have 2 bachelor degrees in Fisheries and Biology, i am pursuing a career on the scientific side of fishing. Haha catching them on the weekend and studying them during the week.