How to go Pro?

Angler Categories
Professional: A professional is a competitive angler who is registered to fish in the Pro Division of a tournament. Pros operate their own boats in a tournament and are randomly paired with co-anglers, who fish from the back deck. Pros pay higher entry fees because they stand to win a larger share of the tournament purse.

Co-angler: A co-angler is an amateur competitive angler who is registered to fish in the Co-angler Division of a tournament. Co-anglers do not use their own boats in a tournament, but are randomly paired with professionals and fish from the back of their boats. Co-anglers pay lower entry fees because they stand to win a smaller share of the tournament purse.

Boater: A boater serves the same role as a professional angler as described above. Specifically, the term “boater” is reserved for the competitive anglers who operate their own boats – and fish in the Boater Division – of a BFL or FLW Walleye League event, the grass-roots circuits of FLW Outdoors. For practical purposes, the terms “professional” and “boater” are interchangeable in meaning.

If you are just getting started in tournament fishing, check out the Co-Angler Clinic section of the website for several articles covering topics from etiquette to what is expected of a co-angler. Competing as a co-angler is a great way to learn more about the sport of fishing while gaining experience to pave the way to the next level of tournament angling.

elvis1 Said:
I've been thinking abuot it alot lately.

I'm sick of being a scrubby amateur.

snow Said:
hell look at "tailpipe Ted Takisakie" he never won anything major until last season,infact up until last year his best finish was 18th in either the PWT or FLW,but he was good at selling and promoting,of course it helps to have deep pockets.

CLS Said:
Cash, A boat, No kids, no wife.  5 girlfriends at each FLW stop.  A gas sponsor, a ride along buddy and a big swingin dick attitude so you feel cool at every weigh in.

hurryhard Said:
Ted Takasaki is a very well known Man in the fishing industry. He Won the Pwt Championship held here in bismarck in 98' won on the mississippi river this year, qualified for the pwt championship 11 times, and on top of all that owns the tackle company Lindy Little Joe. He's a quite accomplished and well known fisherman.

Going Pro

Let me give you some background on myself. I fished a lot in FL for bass, fishing local events, club tournaments ect and had a blast at it and not trying to toot my horn, but I was good at it. So, I decided to try to gander up some sponsors and take it to the next level being some FLW and Red Man tournaments on lakes in FL. I got two sponsors, Sports Authority and the best one Hooters! I did NOT have a full ride from either of the sponsors but putting a good resume together with past accomplishments helped to offset SOME expenses (let me assure you, from week to week I HAD to win/place or I would be beyond broke even with sponsors). After running this way for about a year or so, you get to know a few of the “long term” pro’s. I finally got my break with a couple of them and got “invited” to additional sponsors and the complete tours. Tours included B.A.S.S and FLW. Time to make a run at it….. I did not pull the trigger. Why? Well, it’s a full time gig and you will be on the road 200+ days a year if you are a serious pro. Money, sponsors are good but they don’t pay all the bills. Family, kiss that good bye, sponsors once again don’t pay alimony or child support. Do I regret my decision? Sometimes but at that given moment in time I just couldn’t do it.

Definition of a PRO in my opinion is a person that does this for a living, full time, eats, drinks, and breaths the JOB. The reason I say job vs sport is because if you do not look at it like it’s a job you will fail.