Is the Road to Professional Bass Fishing a Rich Man’s Sport?

Growing up, I wanted to be a professional bass angler. On the weekends, I would watch the Elite Series tournaments on TV, when I wasn't fishing of course. These were the days where my mom would have to drive me to neighborhood lakes and drop me off so I could fish. Regardless, I wanted to be competing with the likes of Edwin Evers, Kevin VanDam, Jason Christie, and Aaron Martens. These were just some of the anglers I got to watch on those Saturday mornings. All I knew was I wanted to be a part of that.

Fast forward almost twenty years, and a lot has changed. I still want to be a part of the industry, just in a different way. Professional fishing has changed in many different ways during those twenty years. The FLW Tour no longer exists, MLF and BASS are now the big two, and Forward Facing Sonar is today's hot topic. Another thing that has changed is the road to becoming a pro. It used to be that you would have to work you way through different tournament trails to get a shot at the Elite Series or FLW, one of these being the Bassmaster Opens. Still, only a few people achieved these coveted spots. 

Nowadays, there are several ways to get into these tournament trails. One of which is through fishing collegiate tournaments. In order to be truly competitive in collegiate fishing, you need to have a nice boat, with all the electronics, Power Poles, and the financial backing to go to a school with a good fishing team. All this costs quite a bit of money. Oftentimes, the kids who do really well have rich parents who are able to put them into a position to succeed. So that puts the question out there, has professional bass fishing become a rich man's sport and a rich man's sport only? We asked Chat GPT and here's its answer.

Question: Has the sport of professional bass fishing become a rich man's sport?

Professional bass fishing is the dream for many anglers. The idea of spending your days on the water, competing for big prizes, and landing sponsorships is appealing. But a question that often arises is: Is professional bass fishing a rich man’s sport?

The Costs of Becoming a Professional Bass Angler

The path to becoming a professional bass angler is not cheap. From entry fees to gear, the costs can add up quickly. Here’s a breakdown of some key expenses:

1. Tournament Entry Fees

Most professional bass fishing circuits, such as Major League Fishing (MLF) and Bassmaster, require substantial entry fees.

• Bassmaster Elite Series: Entry fees can be around $5,000 per tournament, with a full-season cost exceeding $40,000.

• MLF Bass Pro Tour: Entry fees can range from $5,000 to $6,000 per event.

If you’re fishing multiple circuits or trying to qualify through lower-level tournaments, these costs only increase.

2. Boats & Equipment

Having a competitive boat is essential, and a high-end bass boat can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000+. On top of that, maintenance, fuel, and accessories such as electronics and trolling motors can add thousands more each year.

3. Travel & Lodging

Tournament anglers travel across the country, meaning expenses for gas, lodging, and food quickly add up. Many pros spend over $20,000 per year just on travel.

4. Tackle & Gear

A serious angler needs multiple rod-and-reel combos, lures, and other gear. Stocking up on high-quality fishing tackle can cost thousands annually.

The Role of Sponsorships

Sponsorships play a significant role in covering the costs of professional fishing. Companies in the fishing industry, as well as outside brands, often sponsor anglers to promote their products. However, securing sponsorships requires more than just fishing skills—it takes marketing, social media presence, and networking.

Can the Average Angler Go Pro?

While the costs are high, it’s not impossible for an angler without a large bank account to go pro. Many professional anglers start at local and regional levels, building their skills and reputation before making the leap. Here are some ways aspiring anglers can offset costs:

• Fishing Smaller Circuits First: Competing in lower-cost local and regional tournaments allows anglers to gain experience without massive financial risk.

• Seeking Sponsorships Early: Even small sponsorships can help cover expenses like bait, fuel, or entry fees.

• Social Media & Content Creation: Building an online following can attract sponsors and generate income through YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok.

• Buying Used Equipment: Purchasing a used boat and quality second-hand gear can help reduce initial investment costs.

Conclusion: Is It a Rich Man’s Sport?

While having financial backing certainly makes the road to professional bass fishing easier, it’s not an exclusive sport for the wealthy. Hard work, smart financial decisions, and leveraging opportunities like sponsorships and social media can help anglers turn their passion into a profession.

Our response

Well, there you have it, fishing is expensive. Professional fishing is REALLY expensive. All of the things mentioned above add up really quickly. The road to professional bass fishing is one that requires a lot of finances or finding a way to leverage other people's finances. The good news is that there is always hope. If you are dead set on fishing tournaments for a living, there is a lot of information out there to help you get there. There are also a tons of people who are willing to help you along the way. If you're thinking maybe the tournament side isn't for you, there are also tons of other jobs in the fishing industry that doesn't involve fishing tournaments, and frankly, aren't as expensive.

Social media has made a ton of people "professional anglers" meaning they make money in the sport and don't fish derbies. People from the likes of Flukemaster to Jon B have made a great living making Youtube videos about fishing. You could also go into the retail side of the industry like we did making fishing apparel. Becoming a fisheries biologist is also a fantastic way to get close to the sport of fishing. There are many ways to skin a cat is what I'm getting at. If you want to make waves in the fishing industry, there are plenty of ways to do just that.

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What do you think? Is the cost of professional bass fishing too high, or is there still room for dedicated anglers to break through? Let us know in the comments!