I wonder at what point a pro can say, "well, I won enough money to keep this up and fish for a living"

yup kvd served me a big mac once, true story

He probably owns a couple of Mcds franchises.

The strike king special.

Define "Pro"

Pro-

Any of the people who competed in this years Bassmaster Classic.

Let's go with these people for sake of this thread.

If you define "Pro" as Elite series guys, then I am sure their other jobs are promoting the products that they are sponsored by. They probably get paid to attend expos, appear in ads or commercials, or even speak at different events. I know guys from Oklahoma such as Jeff Kriet and Fred Roumbanis still fish local trails during the week. I am sure most of them do something to help their income. I don't know how many actually have full time jobs, but I doubt very few just fish for a living.

It's a common misconception that the only thing the pros do....is fish.

 

Make no mistake, being a "pro" IS a full-time job....moreso than your 9-to-5 job.  It's full-on, endless work with little break for anything else. 

 

Bottom line: you gotta love it, then it's not "work". But understand it's not a plush life.

To define a bass pro don't think professional fisherman, think promotional fisherman. The pay checks 90% of the bass pros make from catching bass doesn't pay the bills. These anglers must promote themselves to sponsors who expect the anglers to promote their products and that is their, the pros, job.

Winning a few bass tournaments helps the pro to promote himself to sponsors and in turn the sponsors fund the angler to continue to bass fish, they need each other.

Tom

Tom, that reminds me of one of my college professors. He asked us if we thought pro sports was a sport or a job. Most were "jobs" due to hours put in, sponsor and media pressure, etc.

He also said that college teams were more for sport.

Basically the pros were vessels for advertising for their companies.

Some of the elite series guys have full time jobs outside of fishing. 

 

Our local pro Marty Robinson is a plumber when he's not fishing.

He also said that college teams were more for sport.

 

 

     

Tom, that reminds me of one of my college professors. He asked us if we thought pro sports was a sport or a job. Most were "jobs" due to hours put in, sponsor and media pressure, etc.

He also said that college teams were more for sport.

Basically the pros were vessels for advertising for their companies.

I disagree with this one completely.  College athletes, and i am assuming Division I here, get paid in the form of a scholarship and promote themselves in high school just get a scholarship.  

 

I think we are confusing begin a pro, aka getting paid enough that it is all you do, with competing at the highest level.  I would also argue that just because you get paid to do something you love and enjoy doesn't mean it automatically turns into not being a sport anymore.

 

Now back to the original question....I know Alton Jones is a day trader and even does classes and clinics on how to do it and be successful. 

I disagree with this one completely.  College athletes, and i am assuming Division I here, get paid in the form of a scholarship and promote themselves in high school just get a scholarship.  

 

I think we are confusing begin a pro, aka getting paid enough that it is all you do, with competing at the highest level.  I would also argue that just because you get paid to do something you love and enjoy doesn't mean it automatically turns into not being a sport anymore.

 

Now back to the original question....I know Alton Jones is a day trader and even does classes and clinics on how to do it and be successful. 

Most college athletes start developing their skills long before they get to college, it's a constant work in progress. There is NCCA talk about compensation other than scholarship, but with or without additional compensation the cost of education is expensive, IMO a scholarship is getting paid to perform.  When and if they get to the pros, the activity is no longer a sport, it becomes a business.  Athletes incorporate themselves, have agents, negotiate contracts and have outside endorsements.

Professional fishermen are in business too, a journeyman pro may need outside income, top flight pros probably do not.  KVD for example has become a brand, he doesn't ever have to throw a lure again to make a handsome living ever year, he is a business.

I define the pro guys by the jerseys they wear to the club tournaments. We have our own KVD and Skeet reese neither of them catch anything but they look pretty doing it.

I define the pro guys by the jerseys they wear to the club tournaments. We have our own KVD and Skeet reese neither of them catch anything but they look pretty doing it.

 

That's awesome man.  That's called "enthusiasm for the sport".  Don't every try to squelch that!

My buddy and i where matching jerseys for team tournys...lol. they arent like tbe other guys though. Ours have the Local tackle store logo and the brands he carries on them vice 300 logos of varying degree lol

To answer the original question i know a few pros that guide on thier home lakes , and one that has a small real estate buisness when they are not on the trail

Thanks coldsvt. :-)

I'm friends with Elite Series pro Britt Myers he runs truck/boat customation store. Infact, he riged Brandon Palaniuk's truck and boat with all the lights. He also does alot of the other pros trucks and boats too.

Elite Series pros James Niggemeyer (Lake Fork) and Kurt Dove (Lake Amistad) are fishing guides. A few FLW series guys guide in Texas as well. 

Wasn't Cliff Pace working at roofing until relatively recently? And as others have pointed out, more than a few FLW and BASS pros guide during the off-season/free time.

This is a question that I've always been curious about too. I always assumed that these guys were doing a lot for sponsors and of course you have your relentless pluggers but hey, that's how these guys pay the bills. Sure, winning tournaments certainly helps the bank account but most guys don't win that many at that level. It's so competitive even at the local level...can't imagine fishing with those sharks...they are amazing. It may not be an easy life but I wish I was good enough to find out Sure beats what I do!!! LOL. So I guess I don't feel sorry for those guys