Are you looking to take your hobby to the next level? Passionate anglers with the desire to take the next step in their fishing career can turn their hobby into a revenue source through a variety of methods. Whether you are looking to become a guide, tournament angler at the professional level or an influencer for the fishing industry the path is very similar.
Types of Professional Anglers
First, let’s evaluate the variety of ways anglers can take to begin turning their passion into their profession. The majority of professional anglers utilize a variety of these revenue sources to ultimately earn a living within the fishing industry.
Promotional Positions
Whether you call them “pro staff”, “field staff”, “ambassadors” or “influencers” these individuals and positions are all similar. In these relationships, established companies/brands within the fishing or outdoor industry will partner with prominent individuals within the angling community to advertise their products or services. In many situations, the company will offer discounted or free products/services to these individuals in exchange for sharing testimonials and their products.
These positions are the most common for aspiring professional anglers and companies both big and small have recognized the importance of influencer marketing. Individuals with a large social media following on platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Tik-Tok and Facebook are often the ideal candidate for these opportunities, though anglers with active blogs, a tournament presence or guide services will also be considered. The main objective for these companies is to get their products in the hands or in the screens of prospective customers.
There is no silver bullet for the number of followers an individual needs to appeal to companies. However, there is no substitute for honesty and integrity. Individuals who truly care and believe in the products they are promoting will not only be more attractive to these brands, but also will be more successful in their promotional efforts and will lead to a growing relationship with the brand and in turn the outdoor industry.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship is very similar to the promotional positions discussed above, but depending on the company and marketing individual you speak with will determine the ultimate definition of a “sponsored” angler.
While “pro staff” or “field staff” positions are primarily driven by discounts or free products, truly “sponsored” anglers are often defined by a specific dollar amount. For example, as opposed to free or discounted product a company may give an angler a set amount of money over a certain period of time. This money may be utilized for tournament entry fees, travel expenses or for simply displaying the company’s logo/branding on their boats and/or vehicles.
Again, there is no silver bullet for defining what warrants an angler to move from a “pro staff” level to a “sponsored” level. However, many of these relationships begin as an entry level promotional position. As mentioned above, being honest and believing in what and who you are promoting leads to more success and will ultimately build the relationship. Believe in yourself, believe in your mission and believe in your partners and watch your relationships flourish from there.
Guiding
For many anglers who turn their hobby into a career, guiding is the most common approach. Fishing guides offer a service that involves bringing paying customers out on the water with them and in many situations furnishing all equipment, bait, tackle and most importantly their time. Depending on the waterbody, species and situation, guides may operate with 2-4 clients in the same group or they may bring several groups out in a charter style format.
What separates guiding versus mentorship or fishing with family and friends is the transfer of money from one hand to another. While friends and family will often cover the expense of bait, gas or lost equipment with each other, financials involved in a guiding operation are generally reflected by the time the guide spends on the water with the client.
Again, guiding operations will vary in appearance based on area, species and waterbody. A fly fishing guide in Montana may bring one or two individuals who furnish all their own gear to prime trout locations from shore on secluded streams and offer tips along the way. A walleye fishing guide on the Missouri River may bring two to four anglers of the same group out on their walleye boat furnishing all rods, reels, equipment and bait the group may need. A salmon guide on the Great Lakes may bring several small groups out on their large charter boats and have these individuals take turns reeling fish in as bites occur. Regardless the situation, the definition of guiding is the transfer of money from one hand to another in exchange for time spent by the individual leading the fishing trip.
Tournament Fishing
Tournament fishing is a much different objective than guiding. While guiding is focused on providing safe and successful trips to ensure the client’s satisfaction, tournament fishing puts anglers head to head to see who can weigh the best bag of fish at the end of the day.
Tournaments and derbies occur at a variety of levels. What sets an official tournament apart of a group of friends and family in friendly competition is the presence of an entry fee or requirement. The entry fee, requirements to enter and subsequent payout for each event will vary widely. While entering a tournament does not simply make an individual a professional angler, it is rather individuals who utilize these events to obtain a significant revenue source and/or enhance their personal or professional following that constitutes them being classified as professional anglers.
While guiding is often referred to as “guaranteed money”, tournament fishing is a volatile revenue source. The expense of the entry fee, travel, lodging, food and costs associated with both preparing for and competing in a tournament coupled with the possibility of not finishing in a position that would make money or net a profit makes tournament fishing a near impossible task for anglers looking to make a living on tournaments alone.
Rather, individuals who receive sponsorships from companies that cover these expenses are often the most equipped to make a true living tournament fishing. Other tournament anglers may use the event to promote their own guide service, company or following which will offer financial incentive both within and following the event. For the vast majority of anglers, tournament fishing is not their main source of revenue, even if they do make a living within the fishing industry.
Tools to Become a Professional Angler
Individuals do not simply wake up one day and decide they want to become a professional angler. This is the result of individuals with a passion for the outdoors and the sport of fishing and a great deal of time, effort and hard work that goes into this desire. If you are one of the individuals who would like to make your living doing what you love, we have a variety of tools to help you succeed.
Branding and Promotional Materials
One of the keys in succeeding as a professional angler is standing out among the rest. There are millions of anglers across the country with hundreds of thousands in your region alone, how can you stand out among the rest? Many incredibly talent anglers may never be noticed because they fail to adequately promote themselves, while less talented anglers who are successful at marketing their image will steal the spotlight.
If you are going to stand out among the crowd, the key is an emphasis on branding. What kind of angler are you going to be? How do you define yourself? You are your own brand and you need to live it every day.
Lip Ripper Fishing offers a variety of tools to anglers looking to build their brand. This ranges from logo design, promotional materials such as flyers, business cards, clothing and more and even social media marketing advice and support. Contact us to help begin building your brand today!
Professional Organizations
Professionals are not on their own in their careers. There are a a variety of professional organizations that provide resources for anglers, while also working to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the fishing opportunities that we have today. Joining and supporting these organizations is not only a good move for your resume, but also for the sport. You’ll also find plenty of resources to help you excel in your endeavor!
National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA)
One of the foremost organizations for both aspiring and current professional anglers is the National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA). The NPAA is a non-profit, member based organization with members including guides, tournament anglers, educators and industry professionals.
Members include member-only benefits with a variety of companies within the industry and the opportunity to learn from fellow anglers who have turned their passion into their career.
The Walleye Federation (TWF)
The Walleye Federation (TWF) is an organization focused on fishing, youth and conservation. Becoming a TWF member has several benefits including sponsor discount programs, the ability to join and participate in a TWF recognized club and assist with youth recruitment and conservation efforts in the sport of walleye fishing.
South Dakota Walleyes Unlimited
South Dakota Walleyes Unlimited is an organization that supports conservation for fishing, specifically walleye fishing, across the state of South Dakota. Three active chapters can be found across the state making participation in events easy. Supporting these chapters and state organization also supports conservation and education projects across South Dakota.
Educational Resources
Becoming a professional angler is like any other career path, you are going to need to work for it. A passion for angling is just a foundation, professional anglers put in long hours on the water studying and practicing their craft. Off the water, they are experts at building relationships and offering excellent customer service that brings clients, followers and partners back season after season.
Building a brand and business is a marathon, not a sprint. As with any other brand, anglers will need to create and maintain their own voice, imagery and story. On the water, professional anglers must be versatile and able to consistently catch fish with a variety of tactics in a variety of conditions. Experience comes from time and professional anglers have plenty of time invested.
We offer a variety of educational resources to help anglers develop their skills both on and off the water. Take advantage of windy, stormy or cold winter days to learn about ways you can build your way to a career as a professional angler.
