So you want to be a Pro Fishermen.

[dartag]

This is an interesting but kind of sad article.  I see so many young anglers that think being a pro is all Sunshine and Big Paychecks.


http://www.mattvermilyea.com/blog/difficult-decisions/

[bob o]

no thanks, ill just be me for now

[djkimmel]

Sorry to see he is already calling it quits but the cost is very high, and very tough if you plan to win money to help along the way. The odds aren't the best for doing that especially as a rookie - there's so much to learn beyond just catching some bass. I think it's harder than it looks to consistently put up good catches 4 days in a row.

[dartag]

I re-read the article and wonder who wrote his Business Plan.  Does look like he was going into it figuring he would get checks at every event.  With entry fee, expenses if he finished in the out of the top 10 but in the top 50 he would get 10,000.00 which he has to pay taxes.  Leaving very little left over as profit. 

[BNL]

Dartag, that was more what I felt when I read the article. He financially wasn't ready and didn't have a true plan that lasted beyond a month or so.

Also really didn't like the commentary of what an advantage it is for the guys that are financially secure.  That's right on the edge of whining/making excuses, in my opinion. Feel like someone needs to remind the guy that the people who are more financially secure in their fishing career than he is, got there for a reason and undoubtedly made their own sacrifices along the way. Or maybe they really are just that much better at tournament fishing than he is.

[raisinrat]

Matt is a friend of mine I have know him a long time. Matt was way behind the 8 ball because of when he found out he was qualified to fish the elite. He knew what he was doing was a gamble and he would need a little luck to make this season work. But as a 1st year rookie you are behind big time on getting sponsor help because budgets are already spent by the time many of them find out they can go. There was an article by Kevin Short that explains things pretty dang well. And basically calls out guys with out naming names of those that have a well off wife, built a career up in another industry, or having the help from well off parents. There is nothing wrong with that at all. But many guys on the tour where like matt and had to take that leap somewhere the along the way and try for.

He got to try something many of us will never have the chance to do so. He tried it, it didn't work out and he stopped it all before it costed his family dearly and long term. Many guys have not been that forward thinking and messed up marriages and there lives trying to fish for a living like this.

Knowing a few of these guys and talking with them when come through the shop is eye opening.

[Hollada]

He got in by his placing in the northern opens, correct?

[raisinrat]

Correct didn't know until the very last day got done, but still had to wait for the official word also from BASS