Story by Hunter Sales | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
As with any arena of life, a professional angler must devote vast amounts of time to his or her career. Practice, preparation, business planning, and competition all require attention. Those who devote the most time seem to have the most consistent success. Those who are unable to devote their time (or resources) often sit on the sidelines and find things to complain about.
In my day job as a college fishing head coach, I’m often exposed to some of the criticism that young anglers hear in today’s fishing world. Here are some of the ones that I hear most often: “If I could fish that much, I’d be just as good.” “These kids are only able to do this because they don’t have any responsibility.” “I have to work for a living.”
While there is a degree of truth to each of these statements, my problem with them is that this type of talk discredits the hard work and sacrifice that these kids are making. The same type of talk happens around professional fishing today. Whether critics are blaming technology, resources, or their supposed lack of time, there always seems to be a reason that they are unable to achieve what others have found a way to accomplish.
There’s no denying that sustaining a career as a professional angler in today’s world requires more sacrifice than it did years ago. The average age of a pro is getting younger each year as a result of high school and college fishing allowing young anglers a chance to specialize in their sport and gain experience rapidly. The days of working a full-time job, having a family, going hunting all offseason, and holding a career as a top-level pro seem to be fading fast. The youth of the fishing industry are putting financial stability, families, and hobbies on hold while they pursue their craft. This seems harsh, but it is the reality in almost every professional sport. I don’t know any Major League Baseball players who also work a 9-5 job. To be the best in a mainstream sport requires complete dedication starting at a young age. Fishing is no different.
So, let’s talk about how you can make it work. Some people have the blessing of being born into a family where money isn’t an issue and they can forego work to start fishing even before they “make it.” For me and many others, it wasn’t that way. You have to find a career that is flexible and allows you to fish. A college fishing coach works well for me (though it certainly comes with challenges), but I’ve also seen real estate agents and business owners make it work. Often this means foregoing leisure time to work what I consider two full-time jobs. Late nights, phone calls while traveling, and working more weekends than not are the kind of things to be expected in the early years of a fishing career. The hope is that as your career progresses, you’re able to attract sponsorships using your platform that allow you some breathing room and maybe an opportunity to hang up the side job and commit to fishing.
I’m not sure that I’ll attempt this route as I genuinely feel that my calling is to mentor and witness to young anglers. Regardless, I’m aware that there are times where my coaching job detracts from my ability to spend time working on my fishing skills.
The next time you find yourself saying, “must be nice,” ask yourself if you would have been willing to sacrifice the things that these anglers have sacrificed. I know more than one angler who practically lives out of their vehicle to make this dream possible.
I feel incredibly blessed to compete at such a high-level of professional fishing, and I know that I have God to thank for each season I can compete. Nevertheless, I will never shy away from talking about all that I have foregone to make it possible. I’m not trying to talk anyone out of dreaming of becoming a professional angler, but I do think that knowledge of what is required helps thin down those who really are willing to push this career.
Hunter Sales – Angler Profile
