Bass face

So, I was watching an old Bass Master Classic ( 1998 or something), a few days ago and was astonished to see 1st place took $500,000! Fast forward to now. In an industry that rakes in 100’s of millions of dollars, if not billions world wide... how the hell does a touring professional bass angler ONLY get paid $100.000 for 1st. That barely covers traveling expenses. Ya, they get fancy bass boats & trucks... free gear etc, but that’s a given! And sure, the “KVD’s” of the sport do extremely well financially, but what about the plethora of fisherman scratching by just to feed their kids. Pisses me off!!! Sorry, I just can’t stand injustice in any form and I think the guys fishing the FLW, Bass Masters Elite, MLF, even the Costa series, and regional guys are getting totally screwed. The Anglers make tons of money for the companies they represent, how about given em a bigger slice of the pie!

Cleemartin Loc: Hampton, Virginia

You are kidding, right!

Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

This has been going on from the start of Bassmasters. Until recently the Fishing Pros just went along with the program. Now the MFL has raided BASS and the FLW of the best Pros and formed a new league called MFL... It will be interesting how all of this shakes out.

fishinphil

Its bound to happen, as in all the major sports. Have you noticed whats been going on in college football now? Soon, all college sports will need to be organized, or for a better term, unionized. Then lets see where that takes it.

Bass face

MLF is still weak with its payouts. The only difference is format and no entry fees. These guys are getting paid chump change! College sports... finally! These kids have been chewed and spit out for decades! As far as Pro anglers go.., they are the spit on the ground! Do you have any idea what it takes to be on tour! Not just financially, but all that goes into it? It’s a serious grind that YOU PAY FOR! There’s no team bus, paid hotel rooms, free cafeteria meals..., you don’t get to go home on the weekends and play with your kids, be with your wife, throw a ball in your yard for your dog. And, when your not fishing at the highest level, your at trade shows, signings, sponsors obligations etc. And even then you’re paid poorly. Ya, MLF has changed the game in a positive way and is moving the sport forward... now let’s move the fisherman forward by paying them what they deserve. Example; No entry fees. 1st place) $500,000. 2nd) $200,000. 3rd) $100,000. 4th-10th) $40,000. 11th-20th) $20,000. All that made the cut. $12,000. Fair? I think so. Do able? Easily... the money is definitely there. The audience is definitely there. More TV time is needed but is now growing. Put it this way, a 3rd string bench warmer in the NFL makes at least $400,000 a year. My friend was one! He played all of 5-6 downs, almost $100,000 a second. Not bad!

Bass face

That said, yes? It will definitely be an awesome and I interesting year in competitive bass fishing! I am chomping at the bit to get the season started! I wish it was year round... Now that would be a grind and a half🏄🏼‍♂️🎣

captjohn Loc: Northern Illinois

You don't realize that they also get $75-$100,000.00 per year from each of the Many many sponsors they have. That's why KVD has made over $8 million in winnings but even more with other additions. It's a lot of hard work a lot of luck and some breaks but they earn every penny they make. I've been fortunate to meet many of them and most (not all) are real down to earth good people.

Capt Lou

There’s only one Rick Clunn or KVD just like their only one Patriot team !
Back to back wins or domination in any sport is very difficult !
Sponsorships are nice if your on top but with all competition it’s very difficult to stay on top to make big $$$
However one or two big ones could put you over the top , that along with sponsorships can help !

Dolphin60 Loc: Virginia

Being a professional bass fisherman that makes a living at it is just like being self employed. For every KVD there is a thousand guys trying to turn pro and make a living. Not everyone has time, money, and sponsors to reach that level. But for those that do you should not shed any tears about the payout they receive. The guys struggling at the local/state level just to advance to get a chance to fish these tournaments are the ones that struggle the most. I was WV state BASS President for years and we supported our guys that advanced through tournaments with funds to help offset their cost. But they all had to pay out of their pocket too. FLW, BASS, and other national tours do not support the grass root fisherman with hardly any funds. Even at the national tournament to qualify for the Bass Master Classic guys pay an entry fee and the payout is based on that money collected. Normally only hotel rooms (two or three nights) is paid for by FLW or BASS. These guys are the ones that support the industry and they deserve as much support as pros do. As far as sponsors go most guys with “sponsors” only get product discounts not some large scale payout or free boats and stuff. That kind of stuff is only for elite anglers.

Bass face

Well, I guess if you want to be a professional bass fisherman at the highest level, you best be extremely passionate about fishing (obsessed), well funded, sponsored from head to toe, mentality rock solid, a damn good fisherman, willing to say goodbye to your family for half the year, love to drive...a lot, freeze your ass off, battle off heat stroke, and maybe make enough money to do it all over next year while struggling to pay your mortgage back home... Where do I sign up! Haha! Tough road to to go down but worth a try 🏄🏼‍♂️🎣

Dolphin60 Loc: Virginia

No question about it, it is a struggle to succeed in that profession. I spent 20 years tournament fishing and made it to the BASS national tournament twice, never went further. Enjoyed the competition but could not spend the time and money to do it right. Plus I was just not good enough to compete on a consistent level.

Bass face

Ya, I’ve always wondered how those guys got/are so good, so consistently. I am blown away with the numbers of bass caught on the MLF format too. Amazing! I had an “MLF” day fishing Center Hill Lake in Tennessee last year ( 27 ) bass, smallies, spots, and largemouth. All good size. I don’t know if I could repeat the next day. Or, for that matter, for 3-4 days in a row. I’m from California and fly out to TN every year to fish local tournaments. Damn those guys are good! I couldn’t imagine fishing against the top pros on a regular basis. 🏄🏼‍♂️🎣

Mister twister Loc: Foxworth,Ms.

Best think long and hard about that journey into the unknown. How many failures,that’s not the right word. Your gonna have more light bag weights than heavy. You may hit it big tomorrow or the next century or never. The next trip will be a short one but the walk to the scales is long. Don’t expect too much but enjoy the moment. Last place is better than watching it on the tube. Disappointment is less than an ounce away.

Bass face

I heard that! If your fishing tournaments as a job, vs, competing just to see where you stack up as a bass angler are two totally different deals. 🏄🏼‍♂️🎣

Dolphin60 Loc: Virginia

I have fished hundreds of tournaments from club events to national events. I have always done it for the competition, if I had to do it as a living I would starve to death 😂. In all honesty I have enjoyed club events more than any other tournaments. Guys fish those for the joy of fishing.