Young Fisherman Please Read 2024
bass angler tyler morgan reply :
I noticed on here that alot of the kids are asking for sponsorships and people are talking them down. i am only 14 and i have 8 sponsors. if you put your mind to it anything can happen. just because some one has doubt's you it doesnt mean it can't happen. i also have a fan page on facebook with over 500 likes. and i only started it a year ago. please dont stop what you like. we are the future of fishing
CKFishin reply :
Facebook likes = Real life...
slonezp reply :
Tyler, No one is talking them down. We are being realistic. The most important thing you kids need to do with your lives is get an education. Making a career in sports, whether its fishing or football or basketball etc is reserved for a select few. You all need something to fall back on when you have a bad season or two and don't have someone else paying your way. If you've been paying attention to these threads, big name companies are dropping seasoned tourney fisherman. No one is telling you not to follow a dream, but your odds of being a KVD or Ike is about as much as winning the lottery
flyfisher reply :
I gotta agree that education is important. With the advent of college fishing series there is no reason not to go to college because you can fish there too and earn a degree.
Think of it this way.....two equal fishermen both win tournaments both are likable etc.....one has a degree in marketing and one doesn't, who do you think they are going to want to work for them? If I am doing the hiring, I am picking the guy with the degree as would the majority of people out there......
And out of curiosity what sponsors do you have and what do you do for them and vice versa?
Teal reply :
Talking down? Would it be better that we either not respond or simply fill their heads with false hope? I think the guys here do a good job of being realistic and attempting to focus the young person on the things that they can do to help themselves be successful in life as much as fishing.
Long Mike reply :
Facebook likes? What the hell does that mean when it comes to being a successful fisherman? Get real! Above all else, as said above, your education must come first.
momoffisherman reply :
As the mom of bassanglertylermorgan, I agree with the post of what my son said. But with that being said, I also agree with many of the posts on here from the men saying get an education. I tell Tyler, education is #1. Always have something to fall back on. If you become a KVD - great! but the chances are slim to none. Get an education, make good money and enjoy fishing for the rest of your life. BUT, I will never discourage my son from going after his dreams and with hard work anything is possible. Tyler plans on going to college and fishing the college team all while getting an education.
Tyler is very fortunate to have parents and grandparents that travel to allow him to fish many tournaments with 99% of them being against grown men. Take a look at his fb page and you will see his tournament results and placing. He does pretty well for 14 but has alot to learn yet. (who doesn't?) He will also get a job this summer to help support his love of fishing and to learn to save money and the value of a dollar.
I think most of these posts on here come from a realistic view, they may sound harsh to teenagers but that is life. Nothing is handed to you on a silver platter. If you want something, go get it!!!
If fishing companies want to sponsor a young child that is great. It's advertisement for them. They don't give out $1000's of dollars, they give tackle or discounts. In return, the kids tell everyone they know about that awesome bait they got in the mail.
To the adult men,,,,some kids on here may not have a role model in their life and they look to you guys for guidance. Remember that when you type your reply. You may be the only one having a conversation with that impressionable teenager. And you know what, if these kids are on here talking fishing, they are off the street and away from trouble.
More power to you young fisherman, chase your dreams!
flyfisher reply :
Wow....not trying to start a riot here but come on dude, I know you are only 14 but you had to tell your mom to come on here and defend your stance? One thing i will say is grow a little thicker skin and be prepared to take criticism and learn from it not defend yourself against it, otherwise you are going to have a tough time in all aspects of life.
momoffisherman reply :
my son is in school. I know every website he is on and have his passwords. Nothing is a secret in my home, he is a child. I decided myself to respond, he probably won't be happy with it but I don't care. I have no intentions to start a riot just voice my opinion just like you do
Felix77 reply :
I am relatively new to this forum and there is one thing that I have seen consistently is honesty. A majority of the posts are honest, sometimes brutally honest but that is life. I did not read one single post here which said not to follow your dream.
Instead all I heard was
1) Education
2) Be real about your expectations
3) Never stop having fun fishing
If you (Tyler) could get sponsors, have the support of your family and are off the "streets" then I am good as long as you keep #1 - #3 in perspective.
Good luck.
bass angler tyler morgan reply :
On 3/7/2013 at 11:36 AM, flyfisher said:I gotta agree that education is important. With the advent of college fishing series there is no reason not to go to college because you can fish there too and earn a degree. Think of it this way.....two equal fishermen both win tournaments both are likable etc.....one has a degree in marketing and one doesn't, who do you think they are going to want to work for them? If I am doing the hiring, I am picking the guy with the degree as would the majority of people out there...... And out of curiosity what sponsors do you have and what do you do for them and vice versa
Ryans custom lures, Lockett lures outlett, Lure Concept fishing lures, Morgans custom baits, and tommyhead jigs all give me free stuff. Big Bear fishing rods, Bassgrubb hand poured baits, el grande lures, strike works, give me a really good discount on there stuff. to help each and every one of them i tell people about them at club meetings, pre tournament meeting, and at the end of tournaments. also every were i go i carry their business card so i can hand them out to other fisherman.
J Francho reply :
On 3/7/2013 at 10:26 PM, momoffisherman said:my son is in school. I know every website he is on and have his passwords. Nothing is a secret in my home, he is a child. I decided myself to respond, he probably won't be happy with it but I don't care. I have no intentions to start a riot just voice my opinion just like you do
That's kind of what I figured. Thanks for coming on here. The only thing I could add, is that Tyler's situation sounds unique. Many parents see fishing as a "distraction, " and don't support them. Others young anglers are looking for handouts. that's where some of the cynicism lies.
Advice for Tyler: stay humble. Listen to your parents. Work hard, both at school and your jobs. Make the most of your time on the water. Life circumstances as you get older often limit this time. Fish hard.
CKFishin reply :
Did his mom seriously just come on the internet and yell at us?
kevfishin reply :
On 3/7/2013 at 1:38 PM, Long Mike said:Facebook likes? What the hell does that mean when it comes to being a successful fisherman? Get real! Above all else, as said above, your education must come first.
Well said
J Francho reply :
I agree, education comes first, but a "like" translates to a quantifiable "impression" that a sponsor can use to measure the market penetration a particular pro staffer has. That's all he meant, that there is potential to reach several consumers.On 3/7/2013 at 1:38 PM, Long Mike said:Facebook likes? What the hell does that mean when it comes to being a successful fisherman? Get real! Above all else, as said above, your education must come first.
kevfishin reply :
Fishing Education (The study of fish and there habitats) should always come before sponsorship. And self education should always come first.
Wouldn't it be a awesome feeling to pay your own entry fees from your tournament winnings?
(i spend $1500 in entry fees, $600 in hotels, $400 in gas out of my own pocket and you possibily will be giving me $50,000 depending on how smart and hard i work).
Wouldn't it be a great feeling to say no to sponsors you have no interest in?
Wouldn't it be a great feeling to get free rods and reels from a company that makes quality products that you like?
(i can't feel my jig on the reservoir bottom basin but i would gladly wear your company rod logo on my chest. no way!)
Wouldn't it a great feeling to get a check from your sponsors that you seeked out rather than they seeking you out because you placed well?
i rather build up my skills and try to get into x,y,z company(a company i admire) thank you for the offer but....
This kid might have 8 sponsors which is great but the really question in sponsorship is.
Are these the companies i really want to be with?
If they are not don't milk them get busy on trying to get to your ultimate sponsors.
At the beginning i understand getting your foot into the door. I totally understand supporting your family. I totally understand that fuel is expensive.
The trick to sponsorship is not to sell out for entry fees but to get yourself into companies you admire.
NEjitterbugger reply :
I am almost 16 and as much as I love fishing, the odds of me becoming a pro angler or something is slim to none... Something that I am thinking about is going to college for business and try to get into marketing and sales, possibly for fishing companies and what not. Since a lot of marketing is done in this industry...
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My dad does technology sales and marketing and makes a good living, I am motivated to get a good job and make good money so I can then move to where I please (if I do so) and or buy all the fishing stuff I want!!!!
Of course there is a chance of going pro but be smart and have a B plan that is better than your A plan...
Turner9087 reply :
leave him alone and let him follow his dreams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NEjitterbugger reply :
@ Turner9087, I don't think anyone is halting him from doing so...
JT Bagwell reply :
Awesome response Kevfishin. That was spot on my dude.
kevfishin reply :
On 3/19/2013 at 4:56 AM, JT Bagwell said:Awesome response Kevfishin. That was spot on my dude.
Thank you. Your positive response is motivation for me to write more.
roadwarrior reply :
Sounds to me like this young man has his head on his shoulders and is kept under the watchful eyes
of his mother. I especially like her oversight on anything "internet". Good for you and thank your parents
for their help and support!
gripnrip reply :
For the short time I've been on here, I have never read anything that was negative towards following one's dreams. What I have seen is a bunch of members extending their hand and helping people. Don't get discouraged at the few who rub you the wrong way.
The only sound piece of advice I can give you is when things are typed or texted words can seem bad but they really aren't. You can not see facial expressions are hear the tone of voice someone has based on these things. Good Luck in your quest young man.
Shoop05 reply :
Someone once told me that you shouldn't make a jump to the next level (opens) until you are winning 80 percent of the tournaments you fish locally and finishing in the top 3 90 percent of the time. Once you can do that in regionals, then jump again. Im not saying that it can't be done, but in every tournament I fish I see a bunch of guys who were local "studs" who end up zeroing, or finishing out of the money. Nothing against you kid, but you have to develop thick skin. In all honesty, it shouldn't matter what people tell you. Get an education, then go pro. If you want it bad enough, and get some breaks along the way you'll get there. Just think of it this way, you can go out and "fish perfect". Catch every bite, never break off, stay efficient the entire tournament, then go to the weigh in and finish 88th. It happens. I just hope you can stand the ups and downs. When you come up against some of us though, don't expect a break. We pay our money like everyone else, and we'll take it like the rest of em'. Good luck to you, and I hope to see you out there!
YoungProdigy19 reply :
" Be Real " " Be Realistic " While Im at it? How about you put me 6 ft under and left for dead because that is when Ill quit. When Im dead. That what makes people adults. They give up there dreams and they lose their youth. I might as well be peter pan and live in neverland where you never grow up because I wont give up on my dream just because some "Adults" who sit in a cubicle and have eventful conversations at a water cooler, tell me to. I respect your view, respect mine.
Kendog reply :
I agree. If you put your mind to it, you can do anything. Bass Fishing is a very modern and ever changing sport, and you have to be young and enthusiastic to be most sucessful in my opinion. I am 14 as well, and I wrote a very professional fishing resume with the help of my parents, teacher, and professional fishermen friends. You have to get the right format, and get the point across short and effictively. Any young anglers requesting to see my resume as an example, feel free to message me, I'm glad to help. But keep in mind, 100% of people who get sponsored, fish tournaments. That's the big thing. There are local and youth tournament that are easy to access and are usually close to you. If you play your cards right, landing yourself a sponsorship can be easy because most companies want young anglers, because they are the FUTURE in Bass Fishing, and we get a lot of attention. Like I said let me know if you want to see my resume as an example.
gripnrip reply :
On 4/15/2013 at 12:36 PM, YoungProdigy19 said:" Be Real " " Be Realistic " While Im at it? How about you put me 6 ft under and left for dead because that is when Ill quit. When Im dead. That what makes people adults. They give up there dreams and they lose their youth. I might as well be peter pan and live in neverland where you never grow up because I wont give up on my dream just because some "Adults" who sit in a cubicle and have eventful conversations at a water cooler, tell me to. I respect your view, respect mine.
What makes people adults are their responsibilities. You'll be laughing at your comment in 20 years.
slonezp reply :
On 4/19/2013 at 6:13 AM, gripnrip said:What makes people adults are their responsibilities. You'll be laughing at your comment in 20 years.
You're just an old man with no dreams drinking water at your cubicle. What do you know? 
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to look for this place they call Neverland. I hear the fishing is pretty good.
Brian Needham reply :
way to go kid!!!
this thread got weird......yeah it came from a weird spot, then maybe others made it weirder. Who cares, the kid loves to fish. At least he aint shooting up behind the bowling alley.
Its somewhat amazing(not to sound harsh) that a group of middle aged men cant support a kid doing what we all love, it seems to be some "hatin" going on.........I wish could have lived the "pipe dream" at 14, hell why not? Reality is going to set in soon enough and the big bad world will crash down....let the kid learn that lesson in time, he's a young man, and young men learn a lot of things about the world at and around his age, so IMO there is no reason to rush it.
He seems like a good egg with good parents and stable life.......enjoy it, have the zest to do what you love and love what you do. I think it is awesome his mom takes part in his life enough to check his internet usage, WAY TO GO MOM!
now lets go catch some haaaawgs.
TNBassin' reply :
On 4/19/2013 at 6:13 AM, gripnrip said:What makes people adults are their responsibilities. You'll be laughing at your comment in 20 years.
Responsibilities definitely get in the way of your dreams.
slonezp reply :
On 4/22/2013 at 6:20 PM, TNBassin said:Responsibilities definitely get in the way of your dreams.
Before responsibilities, there are choices. Anyone can choose to fish 7 days a week as long as they accept the repercussions. Some people choose to go to school, some choose to work, some choose to get into relationships, some choose to raise families, some choose to be active in church and their community, some choose to play video games, some choose to stand on the corner and beg for change, some choose to abuse substances, and so on. Whatever choices we make as human beings, we have to live with the consequences either good or bad. We cannot blame others for our misfortune just as we do not give credit to others for our success'. To all you adult bashers, I don't give a rats arse if you want to spend the rest of your life pursuing the fishing dream. More power to you. You cannot rely on that alone to secure your future. The elites didn't become elite overnight, BUT, one or two bad years and all those sponsors who have helped along the way will dump you for the next prodigy(No, I am not referring to you youngprodigy) Choosing to become a professional fisherman, and hoping to be at the caliber of the elites is going to require other sacrifices just to work your way up to such a point. Especially if you don't know people. If you're willing to give up a "home" to be on the road all the time, giving up a family, giving up a steady paycheck, pay huge operating expenses, sleep in your truck, etc. then by all means go for it. l wish you success. If it doesn't work out for you and you're not educated, keep this in mind. I don't like pickles on my hamburger. We "old people" also know that the advice we are giving you doesn't apply to just a fishing career. It's applicable to just about any career you may strive for. There are some exceptions, but job security in many fields is based on individuals who are better than the "norm", and involves sacrificing other things in our lives to stay on top. Also, any business owner knows you need to be married to your business for it to be a success. (A professional fisherman is a business owner. Without an education you will be paying others to do things you are not able to do, which is taking money out of your pocket.)The vibe we are getting from some of these posts is you younger guys think you deserve a break. Frankly, you don't deserve anything. Work for it and have a backup plan. Something else to think about, What would fall back on if you had a career ending accident? Ike could have injured himself badly at the classic. There was a pro a couple years ago, his name escapes me, who was almost decapitated while running WOT by a cable of some sort. Spine and back problems are prevalent in the circuit. God forbid you're involved in a car accident and loose the use of your hands or legs. Without an education or a backup plan you couldn't even get a job making my burgers without pickles.
mjseverson24 reply :
Follow your dreams, pursue your passions, take care of your responsibilities, have no regrets, be true to your self, and above all else be faithful to God. If one of the ways you can acomplish all of these things is through a career in competitive fishing, why would you not do it, or atleast give it a chance. "No regrets" dont look back on your life and think if only I would have given that pro fishing thing a chance. dont be that guy.
Mitch
derekxec reply :
my advice take it or leave it...drop the trying to be a pro thing for now and concentrate on your education because free baits and discounts dont pay the bills and since you are marketing their product and basically doing their work for them you arent getting anything for free you are actually getting under paid
i dont care to be a pro cause its a long lonely trip to the top and an uncertain one especially when your sponsors are paying for everything...you could lose them in a heart beat (dont think you cant because business is business) and then you will have nothing
my plan is to get paid now so i can retire early and fish everyday without worrying...also personally i didnt go to college and im not sure about other countries but in the US you dont need a degree to be a successful business owner
i have to tell you to get an education and all because thats the norm and your mom would probably kill me if i told you not to lol...but look carefully at all of your options and best of luck to you
Ratherbfishing reply :
Youthful exuberance and inexperience can often come off as arrogance or "privilege" and I think some people chafe against that.
Kudos for Young Fisherman's mom keeping a watchful eye on his internet activities. There are too many parents who treat their children like adults (in terms of privileges, choices, etc) at far too young an age. I also give her praise for encouraging her son to do something he wants to do rather than, perhaps, what she would expect him to do. I certainly am a believer in "reality checks" as the world (often for selfish reasons) will promise the world and seldom deliver. But I am also an advocate of encouragement and praise (when it's deserved). Perhaps he will not become successful tournament fisherman (insert "basketball star", "astronaut", "rock star", etc here) but it is better, in my opinion, to say he "can" than to say he can't. If all we ever hear is "can't", how do we ever think we "can" hold a good job or "can" be a good parent, etc.
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