How To Go From Average To Pro 2024
thaddeusdowning reply :
I would consider my self an average fisherman when it comes to the quantity and size of bass I catch and I'm sure there are plenty of us on the site that think like this as well. This question goes out to all the vetern and "pro" fishermen out there. What are some tips to take our game to the next level?
J Francho reply :
Spend more time on the water.
Nitrofreak reply :
On 1/16/2014 at 2:11 AM, J Francho said:Spend more time on the water.
LOTS MORE ...X2
Mike2841 reply :
Fish with people who are better than you
Catt reply :
On 1/16/2014 at 2:11 AM, J Francho said:Spend more time on the water.
Lots more...X3! 
slonezp reply :
If by pro, you mean an Elite, I'd recommend you go to a seminar or BASS University, and see how the pros think. The thought process they have towards fishing is completely different than most of us. Maybe it's because fishing feeds their family, or maybe it's because they're just that much better than the rest of us. I consider myself a decent fisherman, and I'm a veteran fisherman. Nothing beats time on the water. As far as being pro, I don't think like a pro, therefore I will never be a pro.
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
Become a student of the game, make yourself well-rounded and appealing to sponsors, fish.
If it's meant to be, it's meant to be.
Dwight Hottle reply :
On 1/16/2014 at 2:11 AM, J Francho said:Spend more time on the water.
It's all about time on the water. Fishing with good sticks will help as well.
basscatcher8 reply :
As far as the fish catching part of that game its all about confidence and time on the water. They use all the same equipment we can get our hands on they just have 10 times more confidence in it than we do.
Loop_Dad reply :
On 1/16/2014 at 2:43 AM, slonezp said:If by pro, you mean an Elite, I'd recommend you go to a seminar or BASS University, and see how the pros think. The thought process they have towards fishing is completely different than most of us. Maybe it's because fishing feeds their family, or maybe it's because they're just that much better than the rest of us. I consider myself a decent fisherman, and I'm a veteran fisherman. Nothing beats time on the water. As far as being pro, I don't think like a pro, therefore I will never be a pro.
What would you say the biggest thought process differences are?
Nice_Bass reply :
time and money helps.
rmcguirk reply :
All true answers so far, but one key element is probably missing: you need to have a pretty special set of physical and mental skills, not the least of which appears to be marketing.
An example: if you're around my age (late 40s) you no doubt grew up playing baseball. Almost every kid did it for at least a few years; most did it throughout little league, etc. I enjoyed baseball. I wanted to be good at it. I practiced with my dad and my buddies and I played a lot of neighborhood ball. I was ok but I was never a star. Pracitce can make you better. Perhaps even good enough to be the best in your town, the star of your high school team or even play in college. But, to be a baseball pro, you need to be a supreme athlete and also be willing to practice constantly.
The same applies to any sport/pass time/profession/job. Practice will make you better. In many cases a lot better (at least that's what I'm hoping with fishing). But it is one thing in going from being average to being a good stick, but to jump to a "pro" is a big step, and you need to have those special abilities.
roadwarrior reply :
Besides a large dose of natural talent and drive, it takes a lot of money.
Beyond the equipment that may be partially subsidized, you need a very
flexible job (time) and the means to pay expenses.
bighed reply :
Not that I think of my ability as "pro" level, but I will say that several years of tourney fishing has taken it to the next level. I used to think I was pretty fair with a stick. That was with me choosing the lake and the time of year to fish it. When somebody else does that for you the first few times it can be humbling.
RoLo reply :
I may be alone on this, but I do not perceive 'time-on-the-water' as a key component (we all know career beginners).
In my opinion, success depends on HOW MUCH you study when you're 'not' on the water,
and WHAT you study when you 'are' on the water.
Roger
slonezp reply :
On 1/16/2014 at 4:29 AM, Loop_Dad said:What would you say the biggest thought process differences are?
I guess it's like any job. There are guys who try but can't do the job, guys who can do the job and are happy just getting the job finished, and there are guys who are perfectionists. Every job is 100% correct every time. When they're not working, they're still working in some capacity. I feel I am the latter in my career.
I've seen seminars put on by Ike and KVD. The amount of thought and the amount of work they put into each presentation simply amazes me. Ike spoke for maybe 2 hours about fishing soft plastics and I was floored by the amount of science involved. From the rod choice, reel choice, line choice, weight, hook bait, color etc. for each specific presentation under each specific set of circumstances. When I saw KVD he was pushing the 10XD cranks with a run of the mill sales presentation. The Q&A after the presentation was when the real KVD came out. Answering the how and the why. There are a number of guys here that have a similar thought process when it comes to fishing. Although I love most everything about fishing, when it becomes work, it loses it's appeal. I've had the opportunity to qualify, travel and compete as a fisherman and to me it's too much like work. On the other hand I can work for hours and hours in extreme conditions on refrigeration equipment(it's what I do for a living) and don't see it as work, it's more of a passion. I'm just not wired to be a pro fisherman.
Montanaro reply :
Some people just love sharing their knowledge and passion with others. I know it's cliche, but it's true. Ike can go for 2 hours because he loves it so much and he wants you to love it to.
It's a cult really.
I'd have no problem creating power points for fishing techniques when compared to powerpoints about the correlation of foot size to foot diseases.
Mainebass1984 reply :
It takes time effort and money.
Attention to detail
You got to go early and stay late.
Catt reply :
Average to good to great to Pro
There are a lot of good & great anglers that do not make it as Pros.
slonezp reply :
On 1/16/2014 at 7:22 AM, Montanaro said:Some people just love sharing their knowledge and passion with others. I know it's cliche, but it's true. Ike can go for 2 hours because he loves it so much and he wants you to love it to.
It's a cult really.
I'd have no problem creating power points for fishing techniques when compared to powerpoints about the correlation of foot size to foot diseases.
It's not about the amount of time but the amount of detail. When you look at them or any of the elites who are consistent, they have, and this sounds corny, "star quality" Not everybody has that, and I guess that wasn't the original question asked. How many pro fisherman are unknowns? Plenty. Same with pro ball players. I guess when I think of a pro, I think Ike or KVD or Clunn or Parker. Chris Lane gave a seminar at my clubs tournament of champions a couple weeks after he won the classic. I just didn't feel the passion from him as I did with the others. Like he's forgettable. I'm not knocking his talent, He's just not in the same ballpark as the other guys. So, I guess when I think of "pro" I'm really thinking of the guys consistently at the top.
basscatcher8 reply :
I like listening and reading anything ike does cause he does have a true ppassion for it. You need that. I know when he goes to a new water he buys every single map available for the place scouts Google earth with maps in hand and trys to solve every fishery to the nitty grity details. When iI was racing our motto was the race on Saturday is won on Monday through Friday in the shop going over the details. We won a championship with that kind of drive. Its an attitude and willingness to work.
Brayberry reply :
Fish with people better then you, the better they are the more you'll learn. When I was around 15 I joined a bass club. I thought I was the next best thing in fishing. Then I started fishing tournaments with those guys and felt silly. I started thinking of tournaments as seminars. I'd watch every detail of my partners fishing, I studied where they cast, what they cast, lure colors, lure size, etc. I saw some amazing things in those tournaments also. I watched my partner one day win a tournament on 5 flips consecutively, each flip resulted in a 3 - 4 lb bass, he literally caught a 18 lb limit in around 2 minutes. I fished with a guy that did go pro, and actually win a Invitational. We were fishing a cove in the fall and small bass were schooling, busting shad all over the surface. I thought I was in heaven, catching bass on every cast with a crankbait, but my limit was only around 5 lbs. My partner on the other hand ignored the schooling fish, and immediately tied on big lures to fish under the schoolers. He was going for the big lazy fish in the area.
Dwight Hottle reply :
On 1/16/2014 at 6:02 AM, RoLo said:I may be alone on this, but I do not perceive 'time on the water' as the key component (we all know career beginners).
In my opinion, success depends on HOW MUCH you study when you're 'not' on the water,
and WHAT you study when you 'are' on the water.
Roger
I think you just further defined time on the water! Well put RoLo.
Sam reply :
Remember the New York tourist that stopped a native New Yorker and asked him how to get to Madison Square Garden?
"Practice, practice and practice" was the reply.
Good advice as is what is posted above.
Good luck.
mjseverson24 reply :
things it takes to go pro...
1) you must to have the ability to catch quality fish anywhere in the country at any time of year.
2) you have to be dedicated.
3) you have to be intelligent.
4) you must have a competitive nature or be a perfectionist.
5) a great family that supports you in your career.
6) good social skills.
7) lots of money.
8) experience.
Being a great fisherman is the prerequisite to becoming a professional tournament angler, but every guy out on tour is a great stick, the things above are what sets apart the top tier guys from everyone else... JMO...
Mitch
WRB reply :
I know Aaron Martens doesn't get much support on this site, he makes a good example. Aaron's family didn't have money, average wage earners. You can plug in most of the bass "pros" names into this category.
What Aaron has and most of the other "pros" is talent to catch bass under all kinds of conditions and the drive to get out there and compete.
Time on the water doesn't do much good unless it's quality time where you learn something to improve your bass catching skill.
Competition tends to bring out your bass catching skills, you start winning and earning checks and get noticed.
The bottom line is you earn it.
Tom
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tomustang reply :
I'd say it's more about skill. Enter tournaments and see if you win them, if your A game is really better then the others. Do you have what it takes to advance. People can spend all the time on the water, read all the books, follow what others do but if you can't mentally get it together for all the obstacles that get in the way than trying to be pro isn't an option. Sure all the knowledge and time out on the water helps, what really matters is how you interpret all the data and make the right choices.
Naplock reply :
1. Keep a journal. EVERY time you return from the water, write down what you tried, things you learned about THAT body of water, etc. what worked? What did your electronics tell you (or try to that you couldn't decipher?
2. Review your notes.
3. On non-tourney trips, work on things that you don't do well. Hone the techniques you do well to stay sharp of course, but spend most non-money time getting better at the things you stink at. It will help you get to the point others have mentioned ... being able to catch fish anywhere and under any conditions.
Full disclosure, I'm not a professional angler. Never have been. In fact I mostly suck at it. Nonetheless, I was very good at some things that very few can do. I used the methods above to get and stay that way (at least during the 27 years I spent in the military).
Catt reply :
There anglers who excel in local club tournaments but struggle in tournaments like Bass Champs or Bass-N-Bucks.
There are anglers who excel in Bass Champs or Bass-N-Bucks but struggle in Elite or FLW tournanements.
Some of us are born with!
Some of `em don't ever, ever get it!
It aint about rod/reels, lures/lines, or even money!
You either have it or you don't, B.A.S.S. & FLW events are full of anglers who will never be anything but an also ran!
swagkid300 reply :
i have classes for how to bass fish like a pro elite for only $79 / hour
come visit me in Toronto
Preytorien reply :
I'm no average fisherman, I'd say I'm a bit below average because I've not been doing this very long, I'm still a rookie 
However I am a pretty avid and what I could consider "above average" cyclist. I've done some races, especially in my late teens and early 20's, I never did much good, and now I'm in my early 30's and only ride for personal enjoyment. I've been able to ride with olympic caliber riders and nationally sponsored riders, and let me tell you it was eye opening. While the physical differences were as expected (they blow everyone's doors off), the most impressive thing was their mentality. Even when conditions seemed awful for riding a bike, they never once complained, instead they got down to the business of riding. Their work ethic was one of total concentration and focus on the job at hand. That caused their preparation and training to be impeccable - they never had dirty bikes, they never wore dirty clothes, their bikes were silent and in perfect mechanical order, their form on the bike was flawless, and since their mechanics weren't around, I knew it was of their own preparation. Every single tweak-able aspect of their involvement in cycling was improved upon and improved upon until seemingly there was nothing more they could do to improve it, however, they weren't even "big time" riders, they were somewhat nationally successful, but never rode the Tour de France or any major European races (the standard by which all is measured), imagine what the true pros are like. I can't even imagine their drive and focus.
I think that aspect is one applied to about any sport. Just the consistent self-improvement of EVERY aspect of your involvement in the sport - from equipment, to boating skills, to mentality, lure techniques, your sacrifice (time and money), your self-exposure (get out there and compete), all of it adds up. It's what I like to call marginal gains. Slight improvements here and there in every single part of your hobby will soon add up to much bigger gains. Sure your a bit better this year at weightless plastics, but you're also a bit better at topwater, and you got a better rod, and learned some new boating techniques that will get you in better casting position, oh yea you also got some new electronics for the boat.......you see, everything will start to add up and soon your slight gains will start to become big advantages once they're all added up.
I once heard a guy who was on the olympic cycling coaching staff in the 90's say this, "The performance gap between you and the guys at the Tour De France is closer than the performance gap between a non-rider and you", which is a neat concept to think about. Is it possible that Bass Resource harbors the next FLW champ they just don't know it yet? There are probably more than a few guys here that are closer than you'd think, it's just ticking over that final hurdle and it'll be done......I think it'd be cool to see a Bass Resource logo on a pro's jersey and they be able to tell folks that he/she started here. This place is great!
Nice_Bass reply :
I guess I think the opposite. When I think of Ike I think of emotional teenager, kvd a salesman, etc. I don't necessarily think of them as pros because of type A personalities or attention seeking behavior. When I think of pro I actually think about the people who "act like they have been there before" Aaron Martens, Brent Ehler, etc. Who can also catch some fish when it matters. One thing they all do have is an intense drive no matter what I think of them!On 1/16/2014 at 7:49 AM, slonezp said:It's not about the amount of time but the amount of detail. When you look at them or any of the elites who are consistent, they have, and this sounds corny, "star quality" Not everybody has that, and I guess that wasn't the original question asked. How many pro fisherman are unknowns? Plenty. Same with pro ball players. I guess when I think of a pro, I think Ike or KVD or Clunn or Parker. Chris Lane gave a seminar at my clubs tournament of champions a couple weeks after he won the classic. I just didn't feel the passion from him as I did with the others. Like he's forgettable. I'm not knocking his talent, He's just not in the same ballpark as the other guys. So, I guess when I think of "pro" I'm really thinking of the guys consistently at the top.
slonezp reply :
On 1/16/2014 at 9:47 PM, Nice_Bass said:I guess I think the opposite. When I think of Ike I think of emotional teenager, kvd a salesman, etc. I don't necessarily think of them as pros because of type A personalities or attention seeking behavior. When I think of pro I actually think about the people who "act like they have been there before" Aaron Martens, Brent Ehler, etc. Who can also catch some fish when it matters. One thing they all do have is an intense drive no matter what I think of them!
Not disagreeing with you. If you get a chance check out a seminar. When I say seminar, I don't mean the sales presentation. Either a paid seminar or BASS University. There are many pros out there, not many naturals. There's only so many Michael Jordans or Tiger woods of the bass fishing world.
K_Mac reply :
PSN81 you make some good points. The differences between good or great at the local level and making it as a top professional are hard to quantify. Even if they could all be listed, defining them clearly is harder yet. The one key that all have IMO is a commitment and focus most of us are not able to achieve.
basscatcher8 reply :
On 1/16/2014 at 9:47 PM, Nice_Bass said:I guess I think the opposite. When I think of Ike I think of emotional teenager, kvd a salesman, etc. I don't necessarily think of them as pros because of type A personalities or attention seeking behavior. When I think of pro I actually think about the people who "act like they have been there before" Aaron Martens, Brent Ehler, etc. Who can also catch some fish when it matters. One thing they all do have is an intense drive no matter what I think of them!
Trust me Ehler has his moments too FLW just doesnt let them get to TV. My best friend was his Co-Angler last year on a day he blanked or didnt limit and he was throwing a fit like a little kid.
Nice_Bass reply :
On 1/16/2014 at 11:06 PM, basscatcher8 said:Trust me Ehler has his moments too FLW just doesnt let them get to TV. My best friend was his Co-Angler last year on a day he blanked or didnt limit and he was throwing a fit like a little kid.
true....
I guess we have all been there and done that. I know I have.
Glenn reply :
It's important to stop here and define what the OP is asking. Is it "how do I become a professional angler", or is it "how do I improve my fishing skills"?
Two distinctly different topics.
Felix77 reply :
Buy a tournament jersey with brands all over it 
Kidding!
jhoffman reply :
The biggest aspect is the money. Second biggest aspect is Want and Third is Time.
I made it to the top as far as I was concerned with a fly rod. I still get questions from guys I taught to fish, one just asked me about a fly pattern today after I told him his last wouldnt work on a certain creek. Its those minor details that can make or break a day.
Without the money to have the right gear, you dont stand a chance. Sure we all know a guy who has a row boat who can catch fish but hes not the norm. If you wanna run with the big dogs you better have the gear to do it. If I can cover half the lake in a day and you can cover it three times over you will spend more time fishing then me and have a wider range of structure/conditions to work with. Theres also something to be said for always thinking the grass is greener though. Most of us fish way too fast, by that I mean rather than knowing that stump has six or eight bass on it, we catch one and think we need to go to the next stump or we think that one little stick is no way holding a fish.
Time without a doubt is what it takes to be consistent. On the stream I grew up on, which is a C&R trout stream that sees pressure from excellent anglers 365 days a year, if I couldnt put 60 fish in the net fishing all day I had a bad day. Some guys were happy to catch one an hour. I remember friends commenting how I just slayed them one night three of us were fishing a pool and I really didnt think much of it. I actually thought that we didnt do that well. We probably caught 20 in that hole, but I knew that hole itself had 60 so we shouldve caught way more in my mind. That came from spending so much time on the water. It wasnt a matter of if I was going to catch fish, I was going to catch them and in places guys never even thought to look. I knew that creek bottom to the point I could navigate and fish it in pitch black darkness with no light. I had to force myself to stop one summer because I had tennis elbow. When I lost the time to fish that often the catch rates declined drastically. I can still go to my best holes on that creek and catch fish, but the sixth sense I almost had of knowing to set the hook when there was no indication to set the hook is gone. I can still nymph without indicators but no way would I expect a 60 fish day anytime in the near future.
WRB reply :
Good point Glenn.
I believe the OP just wants to know what it takes to improve his bass fishing skills or take it to the next level.
My first interpretation was how to improve my bass fishing skills to become a pro, very different questions.
Tom
flyfisher reply :
On 1/17/2014 at 12:33 AM, jhoffman said:The biggest aspect is the money. Second biggest aspect is Want and Third is Time.
I made it to the top as far as I was concerned with a fly rod. I still get questions from guys I taught to fish, one just asked me about a fly pattern today after I told him his last wouldnt work on a certain creek. Its those minor details that can make or break a day.
Without the money to have the right gear, you dont stand a chance. Sure we all know a guy who has a row boat who can catch fish but hes not the norm. If you wanna run with the big dogs you better have the gear to do it. If I can cover half the lake in a day and you can cover it three times over you will spend more time fishing then me and have a wider range of structure/conditions to work with. Theres also something to be said for always thinking the grass is greener though. Most of us fish way too fast, by that I mean rather than knowing that stump has six or eight bass on it, we catch one and think we need to go to the next stump or we think that one little stick is no way holding a fish.
Time without a doubt is what it takes to be consistent. On the stream I grew up on, which is a C&R trout stream that sees pressure from excellent anglers 365 days a year, if I couldnt put 60 fish in the net fishing all day I had a bad day. Some guys were happy to catch one an hour. I remember friends commenting how I just slayed them one night three of us were fishing a pool and I really didnt think much of it. I actually thought that we didnt do that well. We probably caught 20 in that hole, but I knew that hole itself had 60 so we shouldve caught way more in my mind. That came from spending so much time on the water. It wasnt a matter of if I was going to catch fish, I was going to catch them and in places guys never even thought to look. I knew that creek bottom to the point I could navigate and fish it in pitch black darkness with no light. I had to force myself to stop one summer because I had tennis elbow. When I lost the time to fish that often the catch rates declined drastically. I can still go to my best holes on that creek and catch fish, but the sixth sense I almost had of knowing to set the hook when there was no indication to set the hook is gone. I can still nymph without indicators but no way would I expect a 60 fish day anytime in the near future.
Just curious but what is the top in fly fishing?
jhoffman reply :
Free fishing trips/Free rods/Giving seminars to other anglers/Guiding
Theres no big money really in fly fishing on the actual fishing side. No competitive organization for big money.
That was the top for me, which is why I said in my opinion. When you start having rods recommended based on who you are as a fisherman then you did something amazing.
I knew I would never be the next Joe Humphreys.... although we share the same water 
Catt reply :
So let me get this right!
Take away KVD's money, highend equiptment & he's just another angler like us!
Yea I don't so!!!
BassLass reply :
The best way to go Pro: spend countless hours/days on the water for a few years, at least. Then: get a job in the fishing industry(tackle store). Work in the industry for a few years at least to get your name in the public eye and to make contacts of potential sponsors. Then start fishing local tournaments, club events then open team events. Next: start fishing a tournament trail that goes to water and states that you are unfamiliar with. Do this for at least a few years. While you are gaining experience, develope a fishing resume and persue sponsors. When you have sponsorship, the ability to travel, good financials and the experience and confidence needed, go for it. This is how it is done, no magic just time, money and hard work. Good luck. Mary Hencken
A-Jay reply :
Several interesting and thought provoking responses in this thread.
This would be an excellent question for Glenn to ask a few of the top pros during his interviews at the Classic this year.
A-Jay
slonezp reply :
On 1/18/2014 at 11:15 PM, A-Jay said:Several interesting and thought provoking responses in this thread.
This would be an excellent question for Glenn to ask a few of the top pros during his interviews at the Classic this year.
A-Jay
There's a video series on youtube asking pros what it takes financially to make it. Most Americans couldn't afford it and 90% of the top pros wouldn't be there if it wasn't for their sponsors.
WRB reply :
If being a pro bass angler is taking it to the next level, then several BR members are at the next level.
If you intend to become top level pro bass angler then you need more than bass fishing skills.
Tom
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