Topic: how do you become a pro?what steps?

Wrap, Jersey, Youtube channel ...

An actual pro

Honestly, if you have some cash you can part with, $100-150k a year, and the ability to qualify to fish one of the 2 big tours then you can do it. The problem is a lot of the guys with the ability do not have the money to tour.

win tournaments
win bigger tournaments
decide you want to try to do it for a living

For the Elite Series you have to finish in the top 5 overall in one of the three Opens circuits and have around 80 grand cash to pay for your first year.

The first thing you need to do is get a good day job.

I know this guy that bought him a shirt and covered it in patches. Calls himself a pro. Not sure I've ever seen him weigh a fish in but can tell you how to catch them.

this is exactly how it's done.

"professional" doesn't mean Elite series angler

There is a difference between trying to survive in professional fishing and maintaining a career. It has about 50% to do with cashing checks in tournaments and the other 50% is marketing to bring an income outside of your tournament checks. If you can brand yourself properly, you can have a sustainable career. Ike, Skeet, VanDam, Evers, Duckett, Monroe, Palanuik, Swindle, Crews, and Rojas are a few of the Elite guys who probably don't need to cash checks to survive because they have marketed themselves and it brings in a consistent paycheck enough for them to be able to fish with less pressure and confidence. It also has a WHOLE LOT to do with who you know. Make connections, get your name out to big name people and show them what you can do. That, plus having serious skills will help you go from "taking a shot" and "living the dream".

Good points, how do you do it with a day job? Practice and all that, only work 2 days a week, what about flw?

Talent is also a big reason, some anglers are just simply more talented than others!

You really can't do it with a day job if you plan on fishing the Elites or the FLW tour. It IS your job. Between tournaments, you do events and expos, sponsor appearances, etc. Those will keep you busy and on the road. When I start officially working towards the elites, I will be spending 100% of my free time with my family. It is so much easier if you don't have a wife and kids since you're on the road so much practicing for upcoming tournaments, practicing new lakes that are on the schedule, doing shows, expos and everything else.