For those who love to fish?

Question

This is a two part question....
I know there is a 12 step programs available for people who have substance abuse problems. Is there one available for fishing? I just can't seem to get enough of it. I even have dreams about it.
Part 2: Does anyone know how to go about getting on the pro or semi pro circuit fishing tournaments or working for anyone in this industry that makes tackle and needs a professional spokesman / salesman. I am in electronic tech sales now.

Answer 1

i love fishing too! it sure is addicting, but there is one cure for it! but it only comes around one time a year! HUNTING! hunting is my anti-fishing!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Part 1
There is no known cure for a person afflicted with a fishing addiction however the treatment is rather expensive and lenghty. It will require an lifelong commitment and many many thousands of dollars. Just last month my "treatment" cost me over $27,000 for upgrading my bass boat and new rods & reels. I expect lake fees, out of state licenses and fuel costs over the remainder of the year to be over 1/2 that amount. While the "treatment" isn't inexpensive I have found it to be very therapeutic. A major part of my "therapy" will require me to catch a limit of bass weighing an average 5 lbs each every time I go out.
Part 2
Join a bass club.
Fish all the tourneys and place in the top 3.
If you accumulate enough points you may get to fish in a regional tourney.
Keep winning and you will make it.
Keep in mind that guys like Kevin Van Dam, Gerald Swindle, Mike Ianconelli and lots of other top pro's will be trying to take all the prize money so you better be very well prepared and at the top of your game every time you compete. Only the best will get big $$$$ corporate sponsorship.
Keep your hooks sharp and your line tight!
I'll be looking for you on ESPN and Bassmasters someday.

Answer 3

Part 1
Why would you want to join a 12 step program to help with your fishing obsession. If I could find a 12 step program for that I would picket their front doors. I want to find a group that advocates more fishing. does anyone know where I can find them?
Part 2
You need to join a local fishing group and start fishing their tournaments. Another way is to volunteer at a couple of the fishing tournaments in order to start making a network of contacts that may be able to point you in the right direction.
As far as working for a tackle company just apply for work with them and see where it goes.

Good Luck and Tight Lines
Lance D

Answer 4

On the first part thier isn't a 12 step program but that would be a great marketing step. But on the other hand their is a so called step process. Unless you have already aquired unlimited funds. Fishing is my passion that's the only thing I work for, I probably spend 70% of my paychecks for fishing or something to do with fishing. I think you can enjoy life alot more fishing than having a addition to other things. Although it may cost the same just you're not going to get into as much touble. As for the second part their are a few ways to get into the pro fishing circuits. My favorite and probably the best is the FLW Outdoors. To work your way up you can start fishing the BFL tourney's, in order to do that you must be a member of FLW OUTDOORS which is $25.00 a year for a standard membership. Then you find a boater or co-angler( non boater) to sign up with and pay you entry fee's $200.00 boater, and $100.00 for a co-angler for one day tourney's and the supertourney's are two days and their $300.00 and $150.00. Their are BFL tourneys all over the country. From Texas to NY. It's alot of fun and you get to meet new people all the time. Then the next step is to finish in the top 40 in the Points standings and that gives you priority status for the following year to enter the Sten Series( semi-pro's and sometimes actuall pro's fish these). Now your up to a higher level and it's cost a little more but their are higher payouts and the entry fee's go up to $825.00 for a boater and I think it's $300.00 for a co-angler. If you stay in the top 100 in the points standings I believe you keep your priority status for the Stren Series for the following year. Now if your good enough to stay in the top 10 in your division you'll be able to head into the FLW SERIES and that's pretty much Pro Status and these tournaments will cost you $3500.00 entry as a boater and I can't honestly tell you the cost of the co-angler. From their you can advanced to the FLW TOUR( the top) but along the way you have a shot at quailfying for the FLW Championship that Pays $500,000.00 to the winning boater, with the right equipment it can lead to alot more. All FLW OUTDOORS tourney's have a Ranger boat and a Yamaha outboard bonus if you sign up for the Ranger Cup even down in the BFL tourneys you can get up to an addition $1500.00. The other way is to fish BASS sponsored events. This is a tough way and I'm not 100% how it all works I know you can start by joining a local club and a state Federation that gives you a chance to advance to the local divisional and if you do awesome you can work your way to the Bass Master's Classic. I'm not up to date on the BASS Circuits. I know they have a weekend series simular to the BFL it's run through American Bass Anglers. They do offer an all Woman Pro circuit and I'm not sure how that works exactly or entry fees for them. I will list the Web sites and let you check them out and if you need more info or just want to chat about fishing feel free to email me. I know from some of the Pro's I know that if you have good marketing skills it's fairly easy to get sponsorships. If you can sell yourself to the company your pretty much in. GOOD Luck

Answer 5

As far as working for Tackle Mfg's, or getting Sponsors, you'll need a good resume'. To get a good resume', you'll need to have been very active, and succussful, at fishing local and regional tournaments. Find a local bass club and join it, fish their tourys. That will get you into contact with other events that are "Open tournys" that anyone can join. Take alot of pix for your photo album as proof. Make copies of all Checks you are awarded and have them in the photo album as well. Put together a good presentation when approaching the Tackle Mfg's you want to have as sponsors. If you have learned your stuff, been successful at it, the resume' and presentation will land you Sponsors which will enable you to fish the larger Pro tournaments with the higher payouts. Good Luck, and for some good tips and techniques visit my website, www.bassfishingtipsresource.com...

Answer 6

sounds like a three part question
no there are no support programs sorry
you would need to contact your local tournament manager and see about opening in the next tournament
check with a sporting goods suppler they will most of the time have the info you need to sign up for a tournament

Answer 7

Yeah, if you are married with kids, your wife will eventually slow down your obsession. One way or another, unless you make money off of it. It is a 3 step program. Threatening, affair, divorce. Unless she is VERY understanding of your addiction. If you are not married, join the local bass club, win tournaments and enjoy your habit!

Answer 8

TREX, I am a member of one of those 12 step programs and it has helped me a lot.......but I think of it this way. I will admit to an obsession to fishing.......but I am not missing car / house payments because of fishing.......and I am not going to get fired from my job because I took a urinalysis and they found fishing in my pee. LOL.......and I dream about it ,too. I fish 250+ days a year and I still get excited before I go every time.......when it quits being fun I will sell my boat and take up basketweaving or something like that. As far as the second part of your question.........good luck........I guess that is one of those jobs that people like us dream about. Stay in touch.....I would like to know how it works out for you.

Answer 9

1. as far as I know, there is no cure.
2. the best way to get started in tournament fishing is to join a local bass club and, start competing in their tournaments.

Answer 10

the only cure known to mankind for people addicted to fishing is to go fishing. if you cant find time to do it then you are screwed and i feel sorry for you