how to become a "pro"

[Andrew Erickson]

How do i move up in the muskie "ranks"? i love muskie fishing with a passion and i have no doubt in my mind that i want to make it my job, but how do i do that? I try and fish everyday and not only catch fish but learn something new everytime im out, but what can i do now( while im a teen) to start going on this goal?

[Hermit]

Larry Dahlberg once said something along the lines that most fisherman look at their pursuits (fisheries) thru the spectrum of a door keyhole..................do you want to live a lifestyle that allows you to fish muskies or do wish to mimmick the lifestyle of someone who guides, sponsors a tackle company or writes for an outdoor publication?

If you focus your eyes the best you can thru that keyhole, you will have to consider Biology and the D.N.R., starting out working at a baitshop while talking fishing with everyone/anyone that will listen (with a smile), eventually guiding others (well)to quality fishing in your local area and then stepping it up and being capable of guiding in waters outside your home range. Given time, good contacts and your ability to mouthpiece ; advertise/sell yourself out thru your fishing capabilties, success will follow.

If you wish to live/breathe/fish muskies , consider looking outside the keyhole. That is.........maybe study your desired location to live first. Not to knock Bloomington, but if you wish to live and breath muskies.....the job you have in mind in your head may not be important as the location of your whereabouts. Would you move away from family/friends? Do want to catch muskies that grow up be a certain length or weight, or just catch a lot of muskies?

Mostly, don't listen to "naysayers" or be influenced by others. If you truly have a passion, NOTHING wil limit your time on the water; including occupation.

[Musky_Madness]

The other part to keep in mind is the season is short. June thru December 1. You might want to keep something on the backburner that you can do on the side or in collaboration with with your musky fishing that can get you business in the offseason yet still make you money to support yourself.

[Muskiefool]

Start out with a family with deep pockets that wants to see you happy no matter what, sorta like most stock car drivers. LOL

[guideman]

First tip,

Get a degree, make some money.

There are just a hand full of people that make a real living

by just fishing or guiding for Muskies. All the real money is made off of the people that live and die, fishing for Muskies.

At your tender young age it can be difficult to understand

that our passion and livleyhood

aren't always the same thing.

Don't lose the dream, however you'll want to keep it all in perspective. People looking to pay $350 to $400 a day for a Muskie guide, expect you to have a passion, but what they want is results.

If money isn't a big deal to you then guiding is right up your alley. For 3 or 4 months a year, if you get work almost every day, you can make a few bucks. If you want to guide all year long, you'll have to move south for 6 or 7 months a year.

Oh and you can figure about 30 grand minimum to get started.

"Ace"

[JRedig]

I highly doubt it's as glamorous as you hope, i've ruined several hobbies that I loved to do by trying to make a living at them.

Think hard about if it's really what you want to rely on to put food on the table or if you'd rather just be able to enjoy it in your off/relaxed time.

If you really love fishing (no doubt you do) get a degree and get a career in the fishing industry somewhere that's more stable than guiding, or at least that's what i'd do.

[DTro]

By definition, a “Pro” is someone who can sustain his life through his profession. That is pretty hard to do in the fishing industry, especially doing it as a fisherman. There are probably a bunch of “Pros” that are guides, but less guides that are “Pros”.

The easiest and quickest way to get some attention is to enter and start winning a bunch of tournaments. No doubt, that’s a great way to get some recognition. It’s hard to ignore a name or face that keeps cashing a check. Easier said than done, but nonetheless a good way to do it.

The hardest part is having enough available Capital to manage every-day expenses to sustain the roller coaster ride that it takes to win some of these. Entry fee, lodging, gas, gear, gear, more gear. It’s not cheap.

I always tell my wife if we win the lottery that joining some sort of professional circuit would be a great way to burn through a bunch of the winnings.

and like stated above, many a great hobbies have been ruined by taking it to the "next level"

[Wanderer]

A marketing degree wouldn't hurt either.

[muskyhunter57]

I have a friend that was sponsored by his dad during his "mentoring" on the walleye tournament trail. He fished all summer and layed floors all winter. Finally hit it big by winning a Major Tourney. Dad had passed by then. This guy has worked his butt off to be the best he can be. Tournaments are not that fun. If you like that go for it and enjoy the experiences.

[john skarie]

What is YOUR definition of a "pro"?

Is it somebody who has no other job than fishing, or somebody who is "famous"? Those are two very different things.

I have a good friend who fishes for a living. He guides in the BWCA in the winter, spring and early summer. Than he goes to Alaska and guides at a fly-in lodge late summer and early fall.

Oct. - Dec. he has off and hunts.

He's a fly-fishermen, salmon, trout, smallmouth are his specialties. Winter time is sled-dog trips for lake-trout.

He's not famous, but his skills are in demand and he doesn't make money any other way.

He has a masters in Biology by the way. (get educated, it's the only thing nobody can ever take away from you!)

Working for an outfitter as a guide is a great way to learn what you need as far as skills.

I think you have a much better chance at fishing for a living if it isn't all about muskies.

JS

[jsondag]

The financial aspect of being of it is the most difficult. This season I have averaged at least one cancellation per week. Plus, a blown motor that cost me several thousand dollars to repair. 6 blown reels 2 broken rods and a partridge in a pear tree. Just kidding. But seriously passion for it is just step 1. Another source of income is a must unless you can be a border jumper and guide in several states through out the year. In that case you better have a decent repair fund for your whole rig so when it gets vandalized at out of state accesses it doesn't slow you down. Plus, muskies don't have a medical/dental plan or retirement. So plan ahead. Also, unless you are a local stay at home guide, you can almost rule out any sort of relationship with the opposite sex unless you find the perfect spouse.

Confidence is huge - If you exude confidence it usually translates into your image and your fishing. Musky fishing has become insanely competitive however, confidence can and often is, mistaken for ego. Be careful of that. If have a confidence that is down to earth, people will take notice and want to fish with you because you are that way. If you stumble and seem unconfident people won't have faith in your ability.

I lacked a lot of confidence when chasing muskies early on. I had caught some but not enough to be comfortable getting paid to do so. Several years ago I got the pleasure of fishing with Dan Craven. I told him about many of my fishing exploits outside of muskies and that I would really like to be proficient enough to fish for muskies on a "professional" level. However, I just simply didn't have the confidence or maybe skill needed to do so. I went out with him an just absorbed everything I could. Not just about the fishing, but about the essence of being a paid fishing professional. To this day I feel I owe most of my on the water confidence to Dan. He was a great teacher without even trying.

Then I decided that when I felt I could be more "Automatic" on the water, I could start taking people out. So 5 years ago I took out my first client. Unadvertised and completely green, I was out on a full day trip that yielded not a bite.

I questioned my skill as a newbie guide and my confidence sank - Then the gent handed me a hundred dollar tip and told me he learned more today in 9 hours than he had the last year of fishing by himself. It gave me the boost I needed to keep on truckin!

As guides we all love to catch fish, but in truth, that isn't what guiding is about. Sure for the client it is, but most importantly it's about teaching and learning from every client. Even the most skilled fisherman that still hires guides are looking to learn something. When they do it is the greatest reward... A big toothy critter helps as well!

To be at the top is a dream shared by a good portion of musky fisherman. To be at that level is an awesome task, however, thick skin, confidence, and the willingness to keep learning throughout your career.

One of the problems that face many big name fisherman is due to TV, print, and web exposure they feel like they are bigger than the microcosm of an industry that is musky fishing. They turn their nose up at the new guy or the weekend warrior, and often feel they don't need to show respect for others. They often become too self involved in their fishing and forget what it is like to be a guy who just goes out and catches a fish. Don't get me wrong, it is important to defend your position and be visible and proud, but don't abuse the resources and benefits provided to you.

Remaining humble, friendly and approachable is almost as important as being able to sustain your financial wellness. Remember muskies don't care who you are, but your clients notice every subtle nuance of your personality.

There is a lot more and I would be happy to chat about it, just keep on following your dream!

[B420]

Get a boat, box full of DCG's and bulldawgs, throw up a HSOforum and you are set!!! That's the way it seems to be going lately!!!

[HugoBox]

I like fishing about as much as I like oxygen and my wife would tell you that my fishing deal is worse than drugs or booze. That said, I'd not own a single bucktail or rod and reel without a decent day job to help pay for it. I have no idea what it takes to be a "Pro" (lots of definitions of that), but I look at guys like Rob Kimm and others that have enjoyed great success in the fishing industry and the common thing for a lot of them has been education. Again, I don't work in the fishing industry, but in the world I make money in, the most successful people are more than willing to mentor the younger folks - help them focus on what's important and give them feedback. I'm not suggesting you attach a rope to Jerry Sondag's boat and steal his GPS plotter but I'm guessing that a trip with good guy could teach you a lot - maybe even get a guy to take you under his wing a bit and get some real advice about the non-on-the-water part of making a living in that world.

[10,000 Casts]

Maybe try a way to find a way into the Muskie Industy. There are plenty of good companies to work for. Guiding and tournament fishing aren't the only ways to get into the industry. Like stated above, get a degree in something like Marketing or business or whatever then start making contact by going to sports shows and networking or talking to "pros" that are already in the business. If you can make a good living in the industry you can eat sleep and live Muskies and then you get to fish where you want when you want and with whom you want. In this world $$$ talks.

Now if you can't sit still and need to be on the water at all times then move somewhere where there are muskies, spend each and everyday on the water, start catching fish and building confidence, post signs at baitshops, ganders, resteraunts ect. and try to provide a good service at a better than competetive price. Build your reputation until you can afford a Ranger and all the best gear then you still have to feed yourself and pay your bills. Fish everyday in the summer and spend the winter doing seminars and shows for your sponsers.

There are plenty of ways to do it, none are easy.