 Many
people would like to compete on the tournament trails,
and would do very well, even win large sums of money.
The first thing you have to ask yourself is, "do
I have what it takes"? I will try to outline below
some of the roadblocks and requirements to answer your
questions?
Well to start with, you need angling know-how. A good
understanding of the lifestyle and habitat of the fish
you want to catch, including feeding and mating habits.
Then, you have to think like a fish! These are just a
few of the prerequisites you will need before "stepping
up to the plate". I began fishing in London, England
at the age of six on the banks of the river Thames. Ten
years later, I was competing in local tournaments or matches
against some of the best in the country. Using the oldest
cliche' of all " I was hooked". By the age of
twenty, I was fishing in championship competition in different
lakes, rivers and streams, all over Europe.
 When
I arrived in the United States twelve years ago, I fished
European style and kept catching these unusual fish called
largemouth bass (they are not native to Europe, however
some have been found in Italy and Spain). Four years ago
I joined a local Long Island bass club and it was there
that I laid down the foundation for what I do today. I
began watching the senior club member's catch bass consistently.
I learned and used their styles combining them with my
own and formed a set of techniques that I use today.
Once you have established a track record in tournaments
at a local level, sponsorship is a great way to start.
When selecting a sponsor, use their product because if
you like it and it works for you, you will have no trouble
whatsoever promoting its benefits on the road. Remember
if you have no confidence in a product, you will never
successfully convince others to use it. Always contact
the marketing division of the company and get a name to
whom you can write a letter, attaching your resume and
relevant information about your fishing capabilities.
Most sponsorship in the beginning will be in the form
of product. Once you have established a professional track
record, then dollars become part of the bargaining process.
This can be a lump sum per annum, or a "salary"
based on sales and seminar or trade show appearances.
A fact worth remembering is that there is more sponsorship
dollars in fishing today than golf and tennis combined!
While on the subject of dollars, this sport, like so many
others is not inexpensive. A typical tour of four, one-week
tournaments will cost you $2400.00 just to enter. Next
comes food, lodging, fuel and equipment, plus "on
the road" vehicle and vessel repairs. The amounts
can vary, but a general rule of thumb is between $6000.00
and $8000.00 per annum for this one tournament trail.
One-day tournaments are cheaper, but still require overnight
accommodations, entry fees and all the other items previously
mentioned. A weekend tournament (typically Saturday and
Sunday) will average between $300.00 and $600.00 dependent
upon location. Travel and vacation time play an important
role in your decision to turn pro. You will need a minimum
6 weeks vacation per year if you hold down a full time
job. That can be tough and you will need an understanding
boss. Virtually every weekend you will be on the water,
fishing or practicing. I was once told while fishing with
the legendary angler Woo Daves, "there is no substitute
for time on the water". How right he was.
When you begin fishing from the back of another angler's
boat, you must have the basic skills to catch fish from
various locations regardless of who is in control of the
boat. The "back seat" angler's who does his
or her homework have won many tournaments.
As if all that was not enough, you should be prepared
to address large crowds and speak to the press or television
crews who will come to you for comment and information.
The spectator and weekend angler is the bread and butter
of this $70 billion per annum industry. Without him or
her, there would be no tournaments, no new lures, rods,
reels or equipment, simply because there would be no one
to buy the goods or watch the shows on the weekend! Some
of the touring anglers can sometimes become aloof when
dealing with the public. Their success is usually short
lived and they pay the price for forgetting their beginnings.
When dealing with the press, they can be your best friend,
or your worst enemy. Personally, I prefer the first of
the two choices. Always make time for them, tell them
what they need to know and make sure you use the name
of your sponsor/s in your conversations with them.
Well if that has not scared you away from the tournament
trail, then feel free to contact me for further information
and hints on getting started.
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