Have you seen the way Jacob Wheeler cast the line? Do you want to master techniques like Michael Laconelli and Skeet Reese to catch bass fish? We tell you, yes, you can be like one of them, and you too can master fishing and become a pro. We are here to teach you how to become a professional angler or fisherman.
Table of contents
- Do I need a degree to become a professional angler?
- Search and learn
- Join fishing clubs
- Spending on fishing gear
- Get into practice and experience it
- Fishing license and certifications
- Learn about fishing laws
- Be active on social media
- Save money
- Physical fitness
How Do I Become a Professional Angler? key Aspects To Follow
Here is a general guideline to becoming a successful angler, whether you consider lake fishing or deep sea fishing.
Do you need to have an academic education to become a professional angler?
Fishing as a profession doesn’t require a graduate degree or any college education. But basic knowledge can help you converse and understand the language of fishing grounds. In other words, there are not many things to learn from a book or a lecture, but a hands-on experience that requires practicality and active participation is more important.
Search and learn
Skills can only be developed with a lot of practice. Going to a lake or pond nearby, collecting information about its species, the abundant habitat there, the behavior, and what attracts these fish, talking to the local fishermen there, and observing them and their equipment. These are all the aspects you have to take control of by being punctual on the spot and deepening your observation of the surroundings.
Join fishing clubs
Meanwhile, consider joining fishing clubs in your area; it is a plus if they host tournaments as well. For example, get a membership in any of these clubs to get educated in this profession:
- The Billfish Foundation
- Trout Unlimited
- International Game Fish Association (IGFA)
- Bass Anglers Sportsmen Society (BASS)
- Walleye Angler Groups
- Kayak Angler Groups
- Crappie Angler Club
- Striper And Surf Club, etc.
You can also search online about the locality and the fishing activities that usually occur in your vicinity. Ask questions on online platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, is there any group of people actively going out to fish, if yes, then request a joining to participate.
Spend on fishing gear
Now that you have given time to local fishing points and gain knowledge, it’s time to invest in fishing equipment to get started your fishing excursion. Never opt for too expensive and advanced gear, instead, spend on a beginner fishing rod and reel combo. Because you are in a learning phase, professional angling equipment may be too tricky to adopt, which discourages your learning overall.
In other words, start with simple and easy fishing poles, like ultralight spinning fishing combos, or find something for yourself in a kid’s fishing rod too, as they also have a wide range of combos, designed for children of different ages and adults as well. Later you can buy equipment according to your developed fishing skills.
Get as much experience as you can
After spending on proper fishing gear, get yourself enrolled in educational organizations offering courses to develop basic to skilled fishing techniques and help individuals explore the fishing world in depth. Some of the organizations actively running in the USA are:
- Bass Pro Shops And Cabela’s
- Orvis Fly Fishing Schools
- State Fish Wildlife Agencies
Other than these, hunt for some local fishing clubs and associations, and National fishing organizations like B.A.S.S and Trout Unlimited, local fishery research, etc, that are offering events, and workshops with proper certifications.
These clubs and organizations sponsor events annually, encourage their local fishermen, and give prizes to the tournament winners. Moreover, if you can afford to go on a fishing charter, and book a slot among fellow anglers, it would bring additional opportunities to learn fishing.
Fishing licenses and certifications
You need to keep everything legal! Getting a fishing license is primitive. It varies from state to state and so do the rules and regulations. You’ll have to check with your state fishery department to get your certificate or permit. They may ask you to pay a fee and want to test your fishing skills too. It also depends on the age you belong, your residency, your locality, or whether you are eligible for any special status, like senior citizenship or having any disability. You can find all this information online or on the official website of the state.
Understanding the fishing laws
You have to understand the rules and regulations to become a fisherman. Again, this is defined under the permits and certifications given by the state. State authorities maintain regular checks on local anglers and those who come from other states or regions. There are certain types of fish prohibited from being caught, which you have to release instantly. You might also see areas where anglers are not allowed and should keep themselves away.
You have to be careful about the sign boards, keep your permits along with you every time you go fishing, refrain when authorities ask you to stay away from the water, etc. To become a professional angler, you need to keep all these things in mind and follow every decree they have made.
Social media presence
Don’t let your achievements go in vain! Your social media presence will help you in your branding. Share your fishing goals, victories, catches, and opportunities on your social media accounts. Let everyone know who you are and how you have made it through this journey. Be a mentor and increase your followers to stand out.
This practice will help you a lot to recognize and brand you. People will start observing your route to achievement, and approach you to hear your stories, and this will ultimately attract sponsors.
Save your money
In the beginning, you wouldn’t have anyone to sponsor you. Don’t let this phase disappoint, rather, start taking measures to save your money, and cut down unnecessary expenditures on the equipment. The money you will save will be used for fishing tournaments, entry feeses, and passes to get through the gates of big fishing games.
Saving money can also be fruitful for your fishing equipment’s upgrading in the future. Advanced fishing gear is expensive. Attaining fishing professionally requires a big chunk of investment to level up, leading to learning new techniques and standing tall among professional anglers.
Physical fitness
Never compromise your health. It is very important to maintain your health if you want to become a professional fisherman. If you are diabetic or have asthma, keep your medicine with you.
Fishermen have a powerful relationship with water. Any mishap or accident may lead you to a life-threatening situation. It’s more than important if you know how to swim, and you should also know CPR to save someone’s life when needed.
You might not always see live guards on the fishing spots, or you may witness isolated fishing spots with no one around, so keep a first aid box with you.
Verdict
In short, to become a professional angler, one needs to understand the basics of fishing as much as he can. It results only when you widen your social network, participate in events, and develop your relationship with anglers locally.
Moreover, if you want popular organizations to sponsor you, then keep a track record of your performance, record the timings and catches you have made, take pictures of uncommon catches, make sure to build a strong network, and most importantly, train yourself by practice and lots of practice!