Tips Necessary for becoming a Tournament Pro

Posted: July 16th, 2007

Almost every week, I get mail or emails asking something like “How do I get started in becoming a professional fisherman and market myself for sponsorship?

Well, that would take an entire book to answer, but here are some points I think are important:

1. Times were different back when I started, and because bass fishing was my goal, I made it a point to learn everything I could about it from every source I could….books, tv, & other fishermen. Read, read, read, watch, watch , watch and listen listen, listen! That’s what I did.

It’s also extremely important to:

1. Practice every chance you get. Even when it seems like what you’re doing isn’t paying off, do it some more. Then change methods and keep on fishing. You can never get enough practice, regardless of age or how long you’ve done it.
2. This one is more important today than when I started- Recognize that there is a lot of competition in this sport today and it continues to grow! As with most endeavors, with rare exception, only the best of the best at anything make it to the top, and this is NEVER by accident. Lots of HARD WORK is required, so roll up your sleeves and get to it.
3. To earn and impress sponsors (and, of course, that’s who pays the bills for all professional fishermen) you’ve got to get their full attention. You can do this ONLY by beating out the competition and continuously making a name for yourself locally and then expanding on a larger scale. That word “continuously” is the key. You’ve got to come through again and again and again!I was fortunate to have won several major bass tournaments in a fairly short period, and this got the attention of some of the larger, potential sponsors. Today, the competition for advertising and support money is 50 times greater than when I started, so you’ll have to work even harder!
4. Finally, you’ve got to think positive all the time and believe in yourself. Watch what the other professionals are doing, try some of their techniques, but be innovative - invent some unique ones of your own!

December 23rd, 2008 at 2:25 pm Jesse Frost Says:

Hello Mr Dance I have been watching you for 14 years and I am only 17. I have been a fan of yours for a long time. Most highschool senior boys have girls or cars on their notebooks I have you kvd and all my other favorite anglers and anything bass fishing related. I wanted to ask you I want to became a pro angler when I get out of highschool but I have no clue on how to get in stuff like that or a school for that stuff, I mean I could live not being as succesful as you or your brother Roland ha but I just want something to do with Bass fishing . Thank you for your time, I love your show and the products you use like booyah quantum stren yum and bomber are my favorites. Its Dec/23/08 so also I hope have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as well. Oh and another thing could I get your address so I could send you one of your products and get a autograph maybe. Good luck on the lake catch for me and God Bless

February 3rd, 2009 at 5:53 am Ray Slatto Says:

Hi, I was watching Bill Dance and the Yum worm like Senko with the slot…maybe i am wrong, but i thought the slot was to be used on the opposite side as he showed…lets the hooked disappear in the slot for weedless with out sticking point in worm. Or is it supposed to be the way i saw it>>???

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