At a Crossroads...

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

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

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

"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.

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.

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.

Warren, those 12-hour shifts won't end if you own a tackle shop. Someone
already suggested that as a tackle shop owner, you might spend LESS time
outdoors. I often wondered if working in a tackle shop made one feel like
they were involved with fishing, or if they just felt they were involved
with WORK. In your sports collectibles business, do you feel like you're
involved in sports?

As to fishing for a living, there's no time like the present. You know as
well as anyone that a small number of guys really make a living on
tournament fishing. But it might be worth a shot if you have an itch you
need to scratch and have a supportive family and other income while you try
to get established.

You didn't mention guiding. Does that interest you at all, perhaps on a
parttime basis?

Whatever happens, I wish you the best.

"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

Thanks Marty - no, I don't feel like I'm involved in sports at all. I have
very little love for the items I'm selling. My heart just isn't in it.

Guiding sounds great, I'd love to get paid for taking others out &
instructing them.

Warren

"Marty" wrote in message
...
Warren, those 12-hour shifts won't end if you own a tackle shop. Someone
already suggested that as a tackle shop owner, you might spend LESS time
outdoors. I often wondered if working in a tackle shop made one feel like
they were involved with fishing, or if they just felt they were involved
with WORK. In your sports collectibles business, do you feel like you're
involved in sports?

As to fishing for a living, there's no time like the present. You know as
well as anyone that a small number of guys really make a living on
tournament fishing. But it might be worth a shot if you have an itch you
need to scratch and have a supportive family and other income while you
try
to get established.

You didn't mention guiding. Does that interest you at all, perhaps on a
parttime basis?

Whatever happens, I wish you the best.

"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

When I first read your comments the first thing that came to mind for me was
guiding. I have the advantrage in haivng a helped a friend (Dave Willihide
of Goin Fishin Productions) build up a guide business.

YOU WILL NOT GET RICH GUIDING.

You might be able to get by on it if you have your major bills paid or have
another income.

It is like any business. You have to take care of business. That means
advertising, promoting, selling. I don't mean posting a few notices int eh
local tackel shops. I mean being willing to share information in the hopes
that people will appreciate it and come back to hire you. It means spending
days on end making notices and fliers and pamphlets. It means getting
somebody with real graphic arts talent to help you make your stuff standout.
It means getting permission to put your notices in restaurants, chamber of
commerce offices, RV parks, and other places where people who are interested
will really find them.

Also, one of the fishing rags had a good article recently on proffessional
guides. There were a couple things they suggested very strongly suggested.
Don't tournament fish if you guide. Don't fish when you take clients
fishing. Hmmm... That soubnds counter to what you want. I'm not saying
you can't do those things. Dave tournament fishes and he is usually in the
top ten. He has had mostly satisfied clients.

Now lets look at the busines end of it. Whne I first started helping Dave
promote he was getting one trip a month on avergae. It has taken almost a
year and a half, and now he get three or four a month, and if he wanted to
give up tournament fishing and his day job he might be able to book about 8
per month. He spent abotu a year trying to build it before. Now I admit
the Sonoran Desert in Southwest Arizona is not exactly what most folks think
of as an ideal fishing area, but it works for a guideline for my purposes.
Roughly 2 1/2 years to get to a point where he could survive off his guide
service. You live in a stronger fishing area, and you have lots of
connection so you might be able to do it a little faster, but...

There are some benefits to running a guide service. (if appropriately
licensed) Lots of tackle companies have guides and captains programs that
will get you a substantial discount on products. This may include tackle
and products you could never pick up as sponsors as a straight tournament
angler.

Of course that is paired up with the added headache of keeping records on
all of this. Add-on the tax burden. If you do it while keeping a day job
you have the added risk of having all your expenses disallowed as part of
your hobby if you don't make money. I don't care what the tax guys say
abotu you got so many years... Yes if you don't start showing a profit
after three years you run the risk of having your business declared a hobby.
The problem is that isn't a hard and fast rule. There are ways around it.
To incorporate is one option. Of course that has its problems too with
increased book keeping and increased taxes if you do make money.

There are also expenses you may want to consider. I am sure you know what
it costs to operate your boat. A tank of fuel for mine costs about a
hundred dollars at today's gas prices. Then there is maintenance, repairs,
upgrades, and under the increased wear and tear of (hopefully) having lost
of amateurs on your boat the more frequent replacement of equipment, and the
boat itself. Those are pretty straight forward, but what about commercial
insurance, business licenses, maybe a state tax license, and maybe even a
local license form your county or city. Most of those licenses are
reasonable, but they all add up. You might think you already have insurance
covered, but the odds are you do not. That $100 a year liability insurance
from Progessive does say it covers you for fishing tournaments, but it
definitely does not cover you for a commercial for hire venture. That costs
a whole lot more. Slap a couple signs on your truck, and now you need to
have commercial plates on your truck and commercial insurance on it too.
You might consider also getting a general liability policy for your business
too. Guess what? Watercraft are one of those things often written as as
not covered as part of commercial auto or commercial general policies, so
you may wind up having three different insurance policies to cover your
business.

If you are well organized, and successful you will still find yourself
spending a couple days a week doing paperwork and taking care of details,
chasing down stock in materials, etc etc etc... On top of that... the
busiest time to book charters is ont he weekends, so if you are serious you
have to count on giving up a lot if not most of your weekends.

You know when you will get to fish? All those days yo don't have a charter.
Think you might want to take those days off and ssave the expense of running
your rig Not if you want to be a successful guide. Psuh comes to shove.
No matter how personable you are and how great the scenerey is if your
clients dont catch fish they won't come back and your guide service won't
grow. You have to spend your off days locating fish.

Will you get to spend more time on the water. Maybe. Probably more than
running your sports memorabilia business. Will you get to fish more. Not
more than if you went for a straight tournament career, but to be honest. I
think that most folks would a have better chance of surviving as a guide
than as a tournament pro.

Let me know Warren. I am the same age as you with similar aspirations.
Makes it tought for me though because my contracting company is making
money. Its pretty hard to trade a steady paycheck for a gamble, but it sure
is tempting some days.

Bob La Londe
www.YUmaBassMan.com

So you want to be in the Guiding, Charter Captain, First Mate business? You
feel you have what it takes, well read this article by a man who has real
knowledge of what it takes. This article may just change you mind on getting
into the business.

http://www.outdoor-links.com/news.htm#miles

Max
www.rodholster.com
www.outdoor-links.com