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How to Become a Bass Fishing Pro

How to Become a Bass Fishing Pro

bass image by Witold Krasowski from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Bass fishing is a sport that can yield not only large game fish, but also thousands of dollars in tournament winnings for those skilled enough to compete in and win a bass fishing tournament. While learning and mastering the skills necessary to become a bass fishing pro is not an easy task, it is possible to work your way up the professional circuit and gain the points necessary to enter professional trails, which may, of course, lead to professional bass fishing status.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

How to Get Started

Things You’ll Need:
  • Fishing reel
  • Fishing line, 20- to 30-lb. mono or 50- lb. braided line
  • 5/0 or 6/0 hook
  • Bait choices, such as shad, silver shiner or crayfish
  • Bass fishing license
  • Bass fishing boat
Step 1
Keep your gear in optimum condition. Grease your medium-heavy to heavy-action baitcast or spinning reel with reel oil. Apply the oil directly to the gearing and outside face of the reel--including the rod guides--to increase the efficacy of your reel throughout the season.
Step 2
String your reel with 20- to 30-lb. mono or 50-lb. braided line and tie on a 5/0 and 6/0 hook rigged with white shad, silver shiner or crayfish for superior bass strikes.
Step 3
Go bass fishing the smart way. Bass fishing pros know that large bass hide behind brush and other big obstructions along the bottom in search of wounded shad to strike. Cast your line just above the bottom and hold it there. Wait for a strike and then set your hook once you feel tension on the line.
Step 4
Maintain detailed and accurate bass fishing records. Include tide and current conditions, water temperature, fishing dates as well as the size of each catch.

Moving Up the Ranks

Step 1
Join a bass fishing club and compete in local and regional club tournaments such as the FLW tournament trail. Bass fishing tournament fees range from $1,000 to $2,000 per tournament, according to the website Bass Resource.com.
Step 2
Purchase or rent a bass fishing boat for participation in bass fishing tournaments. Comply with the minimum length and required fittings, such as a kill switch and live-well. Rig your bass fishing boat with terminal tackle, which is available at fishing superstores as well as online.
Step 3
Stay on the professional circuit until you obtain the skills and points necessary to compete in the finals of a regional professional tournament trail. This means you must be able to catch bass under a wide array of situations in a variety of water, according to Bass Resource.com.
Step 4
Manage your tournament earnings, losses and expenses. Track daily food and accommodation costs, registration fees as well as earnings from tournaments.

Tips & Warnings

 
Circling birds offer an indication that feeding bass are in the area.

Article Written By Charlie Gaston

Charlie Gaston has written numerous instructional articles on topics ranging from business to communications and estate planning. Gaston holds a bachelor's degree in international business and a master's degree in communications. She is fluent in Spanish and has extensive travel experience.

Write for Trails.com

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