When is a Pro fisherman considered a Pro?

[cwilt]

A couple big league tournaments under your belt? A couple sponsors paying your entry? Maybe a look at me tube video. I dont really consider a college kid who made the big leagues fishing his first couple of tournaments a "Pro". Is it when you are totally funded by your sponsors and start making a living in the biz? Seems like alot of turn over in Pro's.

[BigFishSteve]

I don’t know.

[BassinPaPaw]

I’d say you’re a pro when it’s your main source of income, or you’re on either the BPT/Elite Series

[Dixie-Raven]

I would say when you quality for the major trails offered and are either competitive and or winning some number of events each season. If allowed and you are on the trail just because you paid your way in without qualifying I wouldn't consider you a pro.

[c rig]

Ray Scott said if you could pay your entry fee, you’re a pro.

”Pro fishermen” in essence are nothing but gamblers. They pay an entry fee, and gamble that they’ll catch enough to get a ROI.

Rick Clunn has been a pro from the day he started, he had to pawn his rifle to have enough expense money to fish in one of the Classics.

[MichAngler]

There are several in these big series because they have more money than they could ever make fishing

Take the Kid that won Fork he got there because his parent could afford to groom him for this
Don’t get me wrong the kid has talent but that talent was gained in a way most will never have a chance to experience

Like many things these days you can buy your way to the top but it takes talent to stay there

[BigFishSteve]

Wonder if they regret not spending $200,000 sending him to college?

[WAWI]

I think it has to do with how many stickers you have on your jersey.

[pabasshawk]

When someone who doesn't know much about fishing asks me.

[Highcentered]

To me a "pro" is someone who can make it happen from winnings and sponsors alone. There's a pretty good chance most of us on here could do better than some of the "pros" you always see at the bottom of the pack.

[NW.Ind.Basser]

Professional or promotional?

[ManxFishing]

I worked with a guy who introduced himsef has a semi pro
I was working working 50 plus hours and fishing week night tournaments. And the Boat was a larger tiller
It was interesting to hear him talk down to me

But he didn't own a boat and I sold him a couple back up jig rods
Had a Jersey, the swagger and talked a good game.

I say hats off to anyone who can gamble on the bigger field
I myself know. I'm not bad and could win on any givin day, But I'm also not as good as others
As a hobby, If the weather sucks, I'm not feeling well or there's other things going on in my life
I just don't go fishing. And I like that

[Capw]

As soon as he’s efficient with FFS.

[CaymasRodney]

You take Swindle and try your best to be another Gerald S, hes a very good example of being a pro.

[Jbass123]

I consider someone a pro when they do it full-time, regardless of their degree of success.

[light wire]

When he puts that jersey on.

[wareagle24]

I consider someone a pro when they do it full-time, regardless of their degree of success.

I agree.

[Toni]

When someone writes you a check to do it. Not winnings, but an actual week to week check paying you to do it. To me it doesn't have to be full time income, you can be paid part time as a ball player or whatever, just play the game during the season, do other jobs the rest of the year. But you can consider yourself a professional competitor when someone "hires" you to play/compete or represent their brand in competition and pays you to be there.

[Kramos26]

"engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation rather than as a pastime"

Definition of professional

[Rider99XX]

Some think just because they enter a tournament with the name "Pro League" then they are a pro