bassmaster classic 2013

I just read that the winner in this years classic won $500.000 & the 2nd place prize was $45.000. I do not follow competitive fishing, but considering that there is also some luck involved, along with a lot of skill,that there should be less of a gap between 1-2 place. Just think that 1 thrown lure or like this year, a guys trolling motor broke, could cost you a half mil. No wonder "Mad Mike"makes such an azz out of himself. IMO   sam

They get free gear on top of that as well.  Here's an FLW show of prizes for an event prior to the Forrest Wood Cup.
http://www.flwoutdoors.co...e-chickamauga-details/

CatchinPABass 

  They have it made to enjoy such an awsome sport/lifestyle!

 
Yep...AWSOME...
On the road every weekend...
Home only during the few winter months...
Having to promote your sponsor's stuff so you get paid...
After the weigh-in here, drive 4 states away to register and pre-fish two days for a fri, sat, sun tourney...
Missing home cooked dinners every weekend at home with the family...
Knowing that an "off day" or slow bite could cost you a sponsor or a paycheck...
You MUST fish in wind, rain and 3 footers...
Yep...AWSOME...

Glad you fellow fisherman like to bash on people on here 24/7.  I swear thats about the only thing this forum is about anymore....bashing on other's comments.  Dont be jealous you guys couldn't/can't hang with the big guns.  You say its a crappy lifestyle, then why do hundreds of thousands of people dream about being on that stage?  Yea thats what I thought.....argue that point.  I'd rather deal with the "stresses" of that lifestyle than sit in an office all day long, with a boss yelling in your ear all day long.....once again argue that point.  Let's see....floating on a peaceful lake or being under a whole bunch of stress to make dead lines with a crappy boss up your****  I'll take the lake.   

SORRY...didn't think I was "bashing"...
All I was trying to say was MY thoughts on the subject.
If that is the kind of life you dream of...GO FOR IT...by all means...I hope you are successful and I see you on TV right along with Mikey, Kevin and Ish...
 
I wouldn't give up my job, a job that I decided that I wanted to do when I was younger...
My boss isn't always "up my azz"...I get my work assignments and go do them, because it is what I was hired to do!
I don't sit in the office all day long, I work out in the weather more than sit at a desk.
I get to travel...Ohio, Pa and NY...I'm even allowed to take some fishing gear along if I want to take a break. 
There hasn't been a day that if I wanted to take off early to go play, that I wasn't allowed...as long as my work was caught up.
I've called the boss on Friday morning and asked to take off a long weekend Friday and Monday to go to Erie 4 days...always got the OK...
I'll deal with my "stresses" and paycheck, you can deal with yours...

IMO, fishing at that level ceases to be fun.  I quit fishing club tourneys cause I wasn't enjoying myself anymore.  HAVE to be at the ramp at 5am for check-in....HAVE to be back for weigh-in at 3pm.  I want to dictate when I can fish and when I need to be back.  If the bite sucks or it's raining, I can be back at the trailer cracking a cold one, not sticking it out on the water because i HAVE to.  Tourney fishin' just isn't my thing anymore.

I fish open and federation tournaments. Came within 4 ounces of going to the FLW Federation National Championship in 2009. I have a wall and shelf full of trophies. I absolutely love it..... but I would never want it to be my job. As it stands now, it's a hobby. If I don't do well, my family still eats. if I had to do it to pay the bills it would cease being fun.
I've had the opportunity to talk to many tour level pros about their profession and I'm certain I wouldn't want it. What you see on TV is all the glamour. What you don't see if alot of the things mentioned by others. Less than 15% of the pros make enough money to break even every year.
It's a tough gig.