Yeah usually the way in is to fish the open qualifiers and place high enough in the year end results to qualifiy for elite series events. And yes it will take some money and alot of extra time. The guys you are competing against are the best. As far as sponsorships go they are alot of work and very rarely free stuff (unless your like a KVD or Skeete reese). The best way to sponsorships is compete in tourneys and compile a good resume. You have to be able to show them you are a good investment for thier company. You are still young so take classes that envolve public speaking and buisness classes they will help on the resume. Always dress your best for your tourneys it doesn't look good to present yourself in workout shorts and a cutoff shirt. There are several more things along these roads and there are guys on here who can give you a better answer than me. But i tried and i hope this helps.

-James

+1 on education. Be a pro when you get older. Spend time growing up, learning the sport and enjoying life.

Save money, practice and maybe at some point down the road you can take a year off and see where the tournament trail takes you and test your abilities.

P.S. You're not alone in wanting to be a pro; we've ALL been there

Another question: Stillhouse/Belton up here by Ft. Hood have tournaments constantly, do you have to pay to get in those? What are some examples of top prizes?

Yes, all tournaments require an entry fee, that is where the money comes from.

Tournaments are basically gambling on yourself, the low level ones work about the same as the "pros."

Read Ike`s book. It`s a great book about his life, and what it takes to become an Elite Angler.

How much is an entry fee? [Stillhouse/Belton]

normally the stillhouse ones are 20 or thirty bucks, there is a bass club in Killeen that you should look into to, they are called the Central Texas Bass Anglers, they have a webpage, they fish stillhouse a lot and I am sure there are some guys that would be more then willing to let you fish with them since you do not currently have a boat

I was in the same boat when i was your age. Basically raised on bass fishing and always wanted to get into tournament bass fishing but back then i didn't get up the nerve to ask around and figure out how to get into it. After a couple years in college and a little living, i finally got into it with college tournaments. I'd say start there. Find a school that has a good bass fishing team and get involved with the Boat U.S. National championship as well as college bass. Those tournaments are free and can get your foot in the door with sponsors. Theres some solid competition in it as well. But being that your only 16 and still in high school, it would probly be a good idea to get involved with a local club first. Other than that, keep getting on the water, that's the best way to learn how to catch me! Hope this helps.

Also i think BASS has a junior bassmasters program...might want to look into that.

Pft, first need a boat to get into it.

Go to college. Join the bass club. And stay in school as long as you possibly can

Such as Tarleton State University, we have one of the strongest college teams in the nation, having close to 20 active members that fish these tournaments such as the Assoication of College Anglers and the FLW college tournaments.
Most of the college tournaments are free; some like the FLW tournaments do not require you to have a boat to fish and even pay your travel costs to offer you a chance to fish.

If you really like to fish, you really should look at a school that has a strong bass club. Most of the pros realize that we (young anglers) are the future of the sport and are really inclined to offer advice and help. Plus it�s something to add to a resume that looks great.

In addition there are a lot of college clubs that are sponsored by the big tackle companies in the fishing world.

http://www.collegiatebasschampionship.com/
http://www.collegefishing.com/
http://collegebass.com/

Here's a better to become a pro that everyone is missing. Learn to become a guide. What better way to make a living than guiding client professionally. May not be the easiest, but sure would be the life.

I do not believe you have to fish for a living to become a professional fisherman. Actually, the odds of success taking the traditional route is extremly low at best. The guys who have made it to the top on talent alone can be counted on one hand (KVD, Ike, Skeet, etc.) So be realistic and focus on your highest hurdel first; $$$. Set goals, stay focused, study hard, graduate, and work towards becoming financially independent as quickly as possible. Competing on tour without the stress of financial obligations will not only make the experience 100x more enjoyable but will also enable you to fish much differently then those just hoping to cash a check.

When you have a moment, take the time to learn about Boyd Duckett and the path he took to becoming an elite series pro and bassmaster classic champion. He flies to tournements in his private plane while the vast majority of the field lie awake at night worrying about sponsor renewals and wondering how they are going to pay their morgage next month.

Long story short, there is more then one way to become a professional. Be smart and put the odds in your favor. The worst thing that could happen is that you don't make the cut and are forced to play golf the rest of your life. It sure beats the alternative.

Best of luck!!!!

You don't have to have a boat to fish some tourneys. Check around, there are some clubs that are a draw format where they pair boaters and non-boaters. You can learn a lot(some good and some bad) from this type of format. Plus, you can make some new friends in these tournaments.