What I mean is, do these guys start out as weekend warriors and do well enough that they start getting sponsorships or do they jump right to the bigger series and earn their stripes up there?

I've always been curious about this and it seems like there are a ton of tournament guys on this board, some weekend warriors and some big name pros.

Spill your story.

How to end up with a million dollars in bass fishing:

Start off with 2 million.

Funny but true.

It's a business like any other business: either invest money and roll the dice (I.e. hit the big open tourneys with high entree fees). Or work the local and regional ranks until you can break into the FLW or BASS. Our little club has a TBF (FLW) component that can help you out if you choose to participate. You can work those tourneys and try to win at the state level which gets you points to earn for the circuit. Talk to our Tourney Director (Danny Joiner) if you want the skinny.

The most honest answer there is!

End up with a Million????
I would have thought to end up with $10,000!!!

very true

I hate reality.

Too true!!!! LOL. Perfect example: Boyd Duckett. He can fish, but having money before hand allowed him to pursue fishing.

The days of guys coming up from rags to riches are in the past.

Man, way to poo poo the guys question by telling him its a dumb idea and don't ever try it. While the fishing industry has changed big time in the last decade, it's still something worth chasing if you have the mindset set right for it. If it was something I was truly interested in then I would send a PM to one of the many FLW or BASS Pros that are on here from time to time. Most are great guys who will tell you the honest answer you are looking for.

For me, being a business owner, it would be like anything else but I don't think fishing smaller local circuits is necessarily a jump off point but more of a training ground for how to win fishing tournaments. The business side of the "big leagues" is really where it's at. It's knowing business and most importantly how to market yourself and the products you may be supporting. I've never won a tournament outside of a small JCO tourney on Fork and I've had companies come to me asking me to work with them....it has nothing to do with tourney results and everything to do with what I can do for them in business.

So if you have a goal of making it to the big leagues in bass fishing, in my opinion, you need to start with the ability to market yourself and your products, learn how to compete on a big stage and then take some risks, because no one is going to give you anything other than maybe some free baits before you have made a name for yourself in those 1st 2 areas. That means putting up some larger entries fees, travel money, etc in order for the chance to make it to the next level.

No more Grass Roots...

The days of Tile Layers, Carpenters, Guides becoming pro is a thing of the past. The good ol days of the 80s!

+1

You gotta put Pros before Ho's

I wasn't necessarily asking because it is something I am interested in pursuing. I was just curious how most of these guys end up where they are.

Sounds like they decided to go big or go home and it worked out for them.

CoachWhite,

Does your shirt say McMurry Basketball? I was there in 96 and 97 on the football team.

ask the...... ProStaffer.