Ask The Pros

I want to be a pro bass fisherman when I get older and I have no idea on how to get started

Question:
I want to become a professional bass fisherman when I get older and I have no idea on how to get started. I'm 13 years old and my family doesn't have a boat, so I don't fish that much. I fish with my grandpa sometimes but he lives at the bottom of Arkansas. I've read articles on how to get started but they all said the same thing, "You need to get in a bass club", so I want to know the truth. I also want to know how to get in the youth tournaments like the ones on the B.A.S.S. website because I think that it would help me if I was a part of that. Oh and one last thing, when you explain what I should do to get to the pros can you please tell me exactly what I have to do because I REALLY want to make it to the pros!!!!! Thank you!

-Justin


Answer:
Thanks for being a part of Bass Edge and sending in your question.

There is not just "One Path" to becoming a professional angler so the best I can do is offer my personal recommendations:

* Education is at the top of the list. Professional angling is as much about representing yourself and sponsors as it is about catching fish. I strongly recommend seeking a degree in business/marketing/advertising/entrepreneurship. Most colleges now have fishing teams that allow you to compete and earn a degree at the same time!

* Go to this link for information about getting involved with a Jr. Club within Arkansas: http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/youth/index

* A boat is not needed until you decide and are ready to move to the front of the boat. Walking the shoreline of local streams, ponds and reservoirs forces you to figure out how to attract fish into biting with a lot of limitations such as: speed of moving to a new spot, limited tackle that you can carry while walking, etc. So spending time on the shoreline will be an advantage as your career develops.

* Develop a set of goals along with a plan. If you are going to build a house you need a plan along with a list of materials. Your angling plan will need to include such things as education, practice times, financial goals etc.

* Find a mentor that can work with you. Perhaps at first it is your grandfather then maybe a club director you meet and so on.

I hope this helps and best of luck both on and off the water.

Sincerely,

Aaron Martin