Just to start a discussion:  Are there any well known fishermen that you think would have done well if they had gone down the Tourney Pro route?  I'm a big fan of Al Lindner  and I've often wondered how we would have fared if he had stuck with Bass tournaments.  He won a couple, and then decided to devote himself to In-Fisherman (for which I'm glad).  Back in those days a yankee on the tournament trail was a rare thing.

Zona. He was this _ close to making it big. In the end I think he got the better end of the deal though. Steady checks in the mail his own show and gets to MC bassmasters events. Still gets the sponsorships with out as much risks.   

 

   50k a year in tournament entries is probably the biggest risk for a pro, next to buying the boat which you don't have to have a new one every single year even though they do. Then they have to pay fuel lodging etc... Although I'm sure theirs some help for these things from sponsors, someone like zona is likely having these things paid for by the outdoor channel or