interesting watching the 2005 Classic Patterns Best Of DVD. several pros from the show that seemed to have moved on and don't tournament fish anymore just 6 years later.

Marty Stone didn't fish BASS last year and hasn't fished FLW since 2002. Mike Auten hasn't fished BASS since 2005 and just a few FLW local tournaments in 2007. Joe Thomas hasn't fished BASS since 2006, but fishes FLW now. Gerald Swindle, Skeet Reese, and Kelly Jordan all look so young (maybe this was filmed in 2004 and released in 2005). They have all done great since then.

Just strikes me those first guys are all obviously very sharp fisherman, boats & shirts full of sponsors, and all so energetic and intense on the fishing but yet it wasn't enough to sustain them for very many more years. All the guys that seemed to retire had a couple years before with middle of the pack finishes mostly out of the money.

what a tough sport and job!

Joe Thomas also has his own hunting show now, and Ultimate Match Fishing.

Mike Auten's busy producing outdoors shows.

Marty Stone is the emcee for Major League Fishing.

Some guys tournament fish as long as they can, some guys turn it into other business ventures.

No doubt Rob they have to put it all on the line to fish at the Pro Level. Those sponsors come with obligations for personal appearances in the off season as well as at the events.
I would think it is especially challenging for a young married Pro, that level of commitment leaves little time for family.
I would think a lot of those you see drop out lived there dream and fulfilled their personal goals and now choose to fish local and raise there families.

My cousin used to be on the pro circuit, but had to give it up for a more stable income source due to family obligations, etc. In this economy, I can see where sponsorships shrink/dry up and guys have to do the same to keep the lights on at home.

that is great to hear, I bet each one of them might prefer the stability and income of their current jobs and all still outdoors related. not bad.

I have done 2 tournaments as a marshall and out of the 7 pros I rode with Marty Stone was the nicest of all of them. That being said, I never had a bad day/time with any of them.

I call it using fishing as a stepping stone to bigger and better things. BTW, Marty Stone will be fishing FLW this year