I could be a professional guide, but that don't make me even close to a professional bass fishermen.

I would agree with this 100%.

That's a nice endorsement.

Preach4Bass

I may not have made a clear statement. As a professional guide, I do not consider "Guides" to be professional fisherman. A guides income comes from putting the client on the fish. The "Pro" earns his money fishing tournaments and from sponsor endorsements, etc. I just consider the two occupations to be different.

Preach4Bass

I may not have made a clear statement. As a professional guide, I do not consider "Guides" to be professional fisherman. A guides income comes from putting the client on the fish. The "Pro" earns his money fishing tournaments and from sponsor endorsements, etc. I just consider the two occupations to be different.

Oh, my mistake.  I thought you were stepping up to back up etommy's BOLD statement.

This is just how "I" look at it:

A pro is the guys who are either fishing the top level of FLW events or the BASS Elites Series. Everybody else is in the minors. It's just how I define the title of "pro". With that said, there are many great angler's and even legends who have never stepped up on the big stage.

my BOLD statement was a quote from Matt Fly Which I dont agree with.

my BOLD statement was a quote from Matt Fly Which I dont agree with.

Sorry.  My mistake again.

This is just how "I" look at it:

A pro is the guys who are either fishing the top level of FLW events or the BASS Elites Series. Everybody else is in the minors. It's just how I define the title of "pro". With that said, there are many great angler's and even legends who have never stepped up on the big stage.

You and I are on the same page then. 

It looks like we are using two definitions of a "pro". Some use the word to describe a status level, while others use the word to describe a person's occupation.

If I fish for a living, I would describe myself as a professional fisherman. Whether or not I ever entered an elite series event.

If I am fishing at a "pro" level, I would also probably use the same description. Even if I relied on other income to support myself.

I don't have a dog in the fight, just chiming in with some thoughts.

It looks like we are using two definitions of a "pro". Some use the word to describe a status level, while others use the word to describe a person's occupation.

If I fish for a living, I would describe myself as a professional fisherman. Whether or not I ever entered an elite series event.

If I am fishing at a "pro" level, I would also probably use the same description. Even if I relied on other income to support myself.

I don't have a dog in the fight, just chiming in with some thoughts.

I think you are right.

I asked this question some time back and it really was not about the money you bring in but more so about the knowledge and desire you have along with the personality and the willingness to teach others who so love this sport of ours.

I do not consider myself a pro in the aspect of catching fish and no matter how good I get, I probably never will.

KVD for example...If you were to strip all of his title's and sponsorships and put all of that aside... He is one who works hard and can catch fish on any body of water on any given day it seems.

But to me if he were to have the...I'm better than you are and you are not worthy to grace my presence attitude then the pro status goes out the window.

I know people who can fish like KVD and consistently can win big money tournaments but they wont do it, They are happy the way things are and they take the time to share a lot of their knowledge with others especially the younger generation and this is what I consider to be a pro.