It's my bed time, but I'll share one of my less successful ventures on B.A.S.S. at Lake Bistineau in the early 80's. Larry Nixon won it down by the dam fishing some hydrilla. I was fishing stumps with a jig and pig and catching a few fish but my last day's catch left me 5oz out of the money. Before I weighed, Ray made the comment that he was afraid I would be a little short and I agreed and casually said that I hoped I had enough money to get home. He pulled me aside after I weighed and offered to loan me some money if I needed some. I declined, didn't make a check, and when I rolled back into Crystal River, Fl. I had 5 cents in my pocket. Yeah sometimes it was tough but I loved it while it lasted.
TomJ

The enthusiasm that propelled it after an anglers-only meeting at Guntersville in 2005 or 2006 finally fizzled out. I can't recall what that meeting was about but they were furious with BASS about something and decided to try again to band together. In the first few years, I was told, there were some decisions made that caused some of the bigger name pros to eventually move on. IMO there were many problems that contributed to the eventual demise but the people trying to make it go were dedicated and badly wanted it to work, as did some of the anglers. It was fun and I'm proud to have been part of it even just for a short time.

Years ago, I fished some of the BASS trails and saltwater trails as well. #1. You have to be able to promote yourself (you are not going to be able to do this unless you win a reputable tournament or know some prominent people in the fishing industry)#2. You have to have sponsors. (our saltwater team did very well, but we were sponsored by Fountain boats, mercury, BP, etc.. (could not have done it with out these sponsors) #3. You better be prepared to leave your family on many occasions. #4. You need a back up source of income. (there are no guarantees in tournament fishing)#5. Tournament fishing is not fun! it is a constant grind. Winning is fun and can be profitable. I have had many people over the years tell me how lucky I was to be able to tournament fish and for my success. I just look at them and laugh. Spend a whole day trailering a boat, the next day or two pre fishing, the next day catching live bait,(if you are fishing a saltwater tournament), and the next two -three days fishing the tournament, and the next day driving home. As someone else stated, the payouts seem to be getting less and less, (especially in the saltwater tournaments). That is one of the biggest reasons I got out, and I also enjoy fishing a lot more now with the pressure off.

TopCat that is awesome! As a saltwater fisherman I know very little about bass fishing but I love any and all fishing. Man I like others here would love to have a beer with you and hear some stories. I know you're also good on the grill from previous post so we could burn some red meat during this. I'll provide the rib eye's .

The last thing I want to do is fish for a living. Then it becomes work, not enjoyment.

IMO, Peach and TexasNative nailed it with the "it becomes work, not fun" thoughts.

Several times I've been with some of the pros, some y'all would know if you follow BASS and FLW, just talking and fishing at a writer's event. Nothing serious. Nothing on the line, other than hoping to catch a 3+ pounder for some photos. Inevitably these guys would start talking about pressure, having a bad season or seasons, wife on their case, sponsor deals maybe ending, affecting their fishing, etc.

I've always asked them, "When's the last time you went bluegill or catfishing or fishing for white bass? Or saltwater fishing? Anything not related to tournament fishing, and just for fun and relaxation like when you were younger"

"Can't remember. Years, I guess."

Too often when you turn your passion or hobby into work, the fun disappears and the pressure mounts.

Lots of truth being spoken here.

No need in repeating what has already been said very well by others.

Only things I would like to add are

1) the next time you think you feel stressed out at work, just think about how stressed out you would be if your power bill payment had you wrapped around a dock piling on 8lb test....it sucks.

2) if you enjoy fishing, I mean truly love it, don't try to do it for a living. It will make you hate it.

3) don't believe 90% of what you see on TV, the Internet, and in magazines. Most of it is made for TV

Ray Scott is one of the nicest person you'll ever meet. And so is his family.

Yes, he is. In line to pay at a restaurant and he struck up a nice conversation with me and up until then I was a complete stranger. Extremely nice and outgoing, but alas, no fishing invite came my way.

My dad didn't fish for a living but he did pretty good at it as a hobby. He won the Tom Mann National Open in 1980 and 1981 with both years winning fully rigged out boats.
I sure do miss him.

I was a Marshall for a pro angler on the elites a year or two ago and the morning before take off we were discussing the lifestyle of a touring angler. There are several great anglers out there that are a threat to win any event that they fish, but there are other, like this angler for example that are just trying to make the top 50 cut for a $10K payday. I asked about expenses, he said $45,000 in entry fees, $1,000 to $1,500 per week for lodging, fuel, meals x 8 weeks. He told me after expenses if he cashed a $10K check in each event (8 total) that after all expenses, he would make $23K for the year. At that point, he had already missed the top 50 cut in 3 events. He was not one of the big names, and had a very minor sponsor. He said that due to BASS rules, boats had to be wrapped and that several of the anglers on tour basically had a name on their boat that the company paid for as their sponsorship, no other support. Those are the younger guys with wealthy families. Then you have the big name guys with all the big sponsors, they perform, as well as they have salaries with the big name sponsors in addition to winnings and endorsements, bait percentages and so on. It's not a place for guys that are needing a substantial payday. I saw just today where Matt Reed pulled out of the elites, stating that he had $16,000 in entry fees due, and $5000 in expenses for a chance to make $20,000. He said it doesn't make good business sense.

Here's the story on Matt leaving the Tour due to finances. He's a really good guy and I wish him well with his guiding. Smart move on his part, given the upcoming expenses and negligible ROI:

http://www.bassfan.com/docktalk_article/15611/reed-leaving-elite-series-(updated)#.V2nmzOcrJ-U

I have no clue why anyone wants to be a touring pro. You can buy one of several new boats and fish for $10,000-$20,000 every weekend locally. You win 1 or 2 tournaments a year and you have done better than 99.9% of touring pros

TC, is that your name on top?

No, he's on down the list a little ways, but only a little ways...You wouldn't know it by the grin on his face, though!

Ben is correct. A new boat can add 7-10k in winnings on a big tournament easily. Win an ABT or similar and you walk away with 15-20k

I do feel like I could be on the water nearly every day. Rain sleet or shine, I enjoy every bit of it. There are tough days and days that are absolutely miserable, but at the end of the day, I always look back and ask what I would've done differently. That keeps me going back time and time again because I love the challenge.

However, I feel like you can make just as much money by fishing the big local events VS being on tour. I personally don't think I could leave my family for weeks or months at a time for a chance to make a living.

That new boat you just won on tourney day also has a tax bill to be paid. No one trumpets that fact in the ABT, BASS, FLW, GooberTour or any other trail.

The two top tours are unique. It's a different way of life, tough, and no guarantees. But as noted, a guy could really sit down with a regional schedule of tournaments, entry fees, payouts, expenses and such, and figure out how to fish competitively to have fun and make some potentially good money without being gone for weeks.

The same goes for hunting for a living.


I Promise......