What is a pro fisherman or is it a myth

[Tropicaltrout]

Hey Ausfishers

I was scanning the net and came across another forum but i was wondering what derives a pro fisho from you and me?

I have fished with guys that a brilliant fly casters, awsome lure men and know the science stuff but don't class themselves as "pro", Do you have to get your head in a mag or write a article or get on a tv show even Win a comp or two to get pro status. all a load to me.

The way i see it a pro fisho is a myth, i will be learnig how to fish till i die with the ever changing climate, tackle, and fish stocks on the decline. Maby I am pickie but I just can't see why they are set another in another class?

Cheers Ausfishers

[szopen]

I would say that if you can make living from fishing you can be classed as a pro.

Simple.

Not to say that a person must be great at fishing though.

[DaveSue_Fishos_Two]

It's just the same as we have amateur athletes and we have professional athletes.
If your livelihood is dependant upon it you are then considered to be a professional. Most pro fishermen are very, very good at their job. They have to be, as they usually have debts and mortgages and kids to raise the same as everyone else. They also have huge licence fees, maintenance etc etc. In my experience and contact with them, a pro fisherman is just that, professional. If they're not, the debt usually drowns them.

Cheers
Dave
Ps: Professional doesn't necessarily mean they know everything, it means they derive a living from what they do know whilst continuing to learn.

[Leo_N.]

What they said

[Tropicaltrout]

Good on ya Dave, good point but whats a commercial fisho pro or commercial, I think hes a fisherman not a pro fisherman, you don"t call a builder a pro builder or a glazier a pro glazier, so why is a fisherman a pro fisherman?

We all are professionals at our jobs but without pro infront of our title.
cheers tt

[DaveSue_Fishos_Two]

The 'pro' is to differentiate between a professional who makes a living from fishing and amateur who does not. Hence we have 'pro fisherman' we have just fisherman. A commercial fisherman is a professional fisherman.

Cheers
Dave

[Feral]

My defination - A Pro fisherman has a licence to catch and sell fish.

A fisherman whom makes money from comps etc etc is not a pro fisherman in my book. They are just the idle rich

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

in regards to commercial fisherman I thought "pro" was short for prostitute because of what they did to the fish stocks

[theoldlegend]

I think Reel Nauti and Feral just about have it covered; "A licence to derive an income from catching and selling fish".

Just like there are pro golfers and amateur (recreational) golfers.

TOL

[ssbayguide]

Hi All

There is a difference. Professional or commercial fishermen are those who have a licence to catch and sell fish for a living.

In recent years, I've heard people mention that they are "Bass Pros" or "Bream Pros" in tackle shops. These people call themselves this because they have fished in a competition. I guess some of these people call themselves pros to get attention other than that drawn to their suburban tanks (4WDs) and their US-Style boats.

There are, of course, excellent anglers who may or may not fish tournaments who do not need or wish to draw attention to themselves. I would class these people as specialists rather than pros.

Hmmmm....

[fish2eat]

I first thought its straight forward.....catch to sell.

Then I got thinking about people like Steve Starling, Kaj Busch etc

As far as I know the don't sell fish, but do earn a very good living from fishing. If you go back to the golf analogy, there are teaching pro's and touring (or tournament) pro's...

So I guess Starlo is a pro even though he does not catch to sell

[fish2eat]

I first thought its straight forward.....catch to sell.

Then I got thinking about people like Steve Starling, Kaj Busch etc

As far as I know they don't sell fish, but do earn a very good living from fishing. If you go back to the golf analogy, there are teaching pro's and touring (or tournament) pro's...

So I guess Starlo is a pro even though he does not catch to sell

[sf17fisherman]

yeh i would say a pro is someone that makes a liveing from fishing
weather that be a pro working his boat and selling the fish or a fishing writter or tv personlaty
or even a fishing guide
all makeing a liveing from fishing so there for a pro fisherperson

[Boz]

I agree withsf17fisherman.

If somebody was to pay me to fish 5 days a week I guess that would make me a professional fisherman.
If I only caught three fish all year I would be a sh!# fisherman, but still a pro!

Next time someone tells you they are a pro there is a good chance that they could be, but that doesn't nessacarily mean that they are good!!!

Just a thought

Boz.

[fish2eat]

I agree withsf17fisherman.

Next time someone tells you they are a pro there is a good chance that they could be, but that doesn't nessacarily mean that they are good!!!

Just a thought

Boz.

Yes, I'd like to hang around with the film crews from some of the TV fishos to see how long and how many takes they shoot to get that one big fish that makes it to TV.