I used to fish with Mark Woodruff, Lake Fork guide. Worked as an
application engineer for a Dallas based company and got a few trips a year
to there. So would book a 1/2 day before coming home. He is a former pro
fisherman, and understand he did pretty well. But was on the road 6-8
months a year and cost him a wife. He says he makes about as much money
now, as when he pro fished after taking away all the expenses of travel. He
is a popular guide and stays busy, which is easier to do in Texas than up
north where it snows. At one of the local fishing shows, talking to a pro
in the upper echelon of the sport, and a young man I know asked about
becoming a pro. As to the money, he said he netted about $80k out of $250k
income a year. A lot of time spent to make $80k. A couple words of advice.
No one ever laid on their death bed, and said 'damn, I should of spent more
time at the office'. Also, family is important. I used to race cars.
SCCA B Production Corvette. I loved racing, and still like to go fast. But
when we had our first child and I was 30 years old, I figured they needed a
dad more than I needed to drive 150+ mph, on racetracks. Still have a great
wife, and my 2 daughters at 32 and 29 still have a dad to love.
Bill
"gobassn" wrote in message
...
Pure Fishing, my friend just got spoonsorship from them. Thanks Bill.
Warren
--
http://www.warrenwolk.com
Http://www.tri-statebassmasters.com
2004 NJ B.A.S.S. Federation State Champions
"Bill McKee" wrote in message
nk.net...
"Jerry Barton" wrote in message
...
If you do consider a tackle store, the Mall would be a perfect spot. The
guys would have a store to browse around while their wives are shopping.
But, you've had this dream to compete professionally since I've known
you,
and as long as you can maintain your responsibility to your family, give
it
hell. Follow your dream!
"Charles B. Summers" wrote in message
news:v5qdnZl68eOuX_Tf
A tackle shop is going to be risky Warren... and from what I've heard,
once
you get into the fishing business, you really spend less time fishing
than
you ever have.
If you can afford to compete in the opens... I'd stick with that plan.
As
far as your current business... you're never too old to start over. If
I
felt that what I was doing was headed downhill, I'd get out in a hurry.
39
isn't old, young man... 49 is getting close.
"gobassn" wrote in message
...
Hi guys. It's 10:45 PM, I just worked a 12-hr shift & I'm going back
to
do
another one in a few hours. I work in the same room in a giant
shopping
mall every day. I'm 39 now & totally burned out on my lifelong
business.
I'm not enjoying my work at all anymore. My business has been
somewhat
non-profitable for almost 2 years now. I'm dealing in a dying market
(sports collectibles), and the worth of my present location has been
deteriorating for roughly 3 years now.
I hope you don't mind me spewing all this cr-p here, but I consider
so
many
of you "fishin' buddies" that I feel like I'm among friends (for the
most
part lol).
I think about fishing 24-7. I'm talking chronic fellas. I am 100%
obsessed
with bass fishing. I doubt the pros think about fishing as much as I
do.
Well, maybe a few.
When I fished the B.A.S.S. Opens two years ago I know I didn't set
any
worlds on fire; Lord knows I made my mistakes in every tournament I
fished.
The Opens were like a much-needed vacation for me. I learned more
about
bass fishing competitively in those 3 events than I'd learned over
the
past
few years. But the most important thing I learned was that I can
find
good
fish on big water. In the last two tourneys I fished (Erie &
Onieda), I
felt like, well, that I belonged there. I finished just out of the
money
in
both, but more importantly I was "on" good quality fish, and I found
them
myself. I made bad decisions that cost me checks in both of those
tournaments. Lessons learned.
I want to go back. In the worst way. I want to fish for a living.
I
want
to fish every day, all day.
OK, I'm not in a good position here. We're like 120-something days
into
2005. I've spent a single 8-hour tournament day on the water. Sure,
it
felt like I fished just the day before when I was finally fishing,
but
the
fact was that I hadn't casted a bait in almost half-a-year (my arm
didn't
even hurt the next day). To me that is astonishing & very upsetting.
Aside from doing nothing on-the-water to improve my game, it's also
making
me generally unhappy.
I'm at a crossroads in my life. I want to be part of the fishing
industry,
in some capacity. I don't care what it is. Preferably tournament
fishing,
but I'm open to anything. I need to be outdoors more. There are
lots
of
people working in fishing.
Why not me?
Is it really impossible for someone to build an excellent local
tackle
shop,
& I mean excellent, and succeed? I know I'd much rather visit a
"real"
tackle shop than Dick's, WalM-rt, etc.
There are NO really good tackle shops in my area. None.
Should I put it on the line & make a real go of fishing tournaments?
I
know
in 10 years it'll be to late & I'll hate myself for it.
I need a plan & I know I need to make a move.
You only live once, right?
I have a wife, child, home & other assorted overheads to be
reponsible
for,
please keep this in mind when replying. I can't jeapordize any of
them.
Hence my dilemna folks.
ideas, opinions & criticisms welcome
Warren
--
http://www.warrenwolk.com
Http://www.tri-statebassmasters.com
2004 NJ B.A.S.S. Federation State Champions
Since you are a salesman. Look at working for Pure Fishing, or one of
the other larger tackle companies as a rep or salesman. That way you
make a decent salary, health benefits for the family and get to fish and
also make contacts. Or look at managerships of large sporting goods
stores in your area. Gives you time also to fish.