What's a Pro

[Pete]

Hey Folks,

I normally don't like taking ideas from other message boards however, when I read this post I thought that it would be something that might interest the members of this board. So here it goes.

What's a Pro??

Is a pro someone that has sponsors or says that he/she has sponsors?
Is it someone that fishes bass tournaments?
How should a pro act?

I want to know what you think a pro is?

Pete

[Stephen Reoch]

Peter
Did you like my posting?

Stephen (AKA One Fish.)

[Pete]

Hey Stephen,

Now I know what you are talking about.

I didn't realize it was you.

Pete

[parker]

Hey Pete,

This is not the first time this question has been asked,many moons ago this was asked and I offered my two cents worth and I ended up offending someone.

I will not comment this time

Hopefully I don't offend someone with this comment

Jeremy

[Pete]

I wouldn't worry about Jeremy. It's your opinion and you are entitled to it.

I'm sure it has been asked before but I wanted to hear from this board's members.

Pete

[Stephen Reoch]

I have been around tournaments sens 1987. I have seen a lot of good anglers in this time. This sport in Ottawa has grow in 19 years. There was one club Ottawa bass. With around 40 or 50 teams. Now there is 5 or 6 clubs in Ottawa.
When I started to fish tournament I asked a freind about being a Pro angler. And this is what I was tolded!

You have to get down on your hands & knees until there are holes in your new jeans asking for some help. The best way to do this is to pay your own way!

Stephen......

[Pete]

Since no one wanted to answer the question, I will give you my interrepation of what a pro is.

A pro is (in my opinion) someone that makes 75% or more of his living from the fishing industry. Whether it's tournaments, guiding or working in the retail part of it. However, with that said that is only part of it.

The other part of it is someone that is involved in the fishing industry, gives something back to fishing. Whether it's kids/charity tournaments or seminars or public appearances. A person that has a passion for the sport and wants to share his/her passion with others.

This means, no matter how well or poorly they did in a tournament they will stay and talk to other anglers, spectators in the crowd that may have come only to see this individual. Someone that conducts him/herself in a professional manner on and off the water. A person that respects the sport and it's competitors. ( this will bring me to another topic at a later date)

That is what I consider a professional.

The biggest problem that I see with this sport is that just because you are wearing a shirt with Nitro, Ranger, Triton, Shimano, Quantum etc loaded with patches and you fish tournaments doesn't make you a professionals. Anyone can purchase most of the clothing and patches. It takes more than that.

That is my opinion on what a professional is.

Pete

[sabastianbergeron1]

Here is my thoughts on a " PRO"

My name is Sebastian and the reason this topic is a hot item is that I'm the Director of Prostaff for Fishhedz products ( Canada ) What we look for in our prostaff are people that work and support the local community . People that are willing to do fishing functions and people that believe in the product that they have... Like Peter said .. "anyone can buy a Tournamnet shirt " but for the people in this industry we know that the tournamnet shirts that our prostaff waer are much differrent that the ones you can buy.

A pro makes sure that the customer that he or she is serving know's what the product is about and knows how to use it. In turn we get sales out of it and the prostaff get some product...
We can go on and on of what we think a pro is but let me assure you that being a prostaff myself with other companies ...it's a lot of time away from home.. We might look like we have it easy at the show 's but what goes on before and after is where we get our colors.

Regards,

Sebastian

[Jeremy]

Hey Sebastian,

Can't say I know who Fishhedz products are?
I worked shows for 15yrs for different companies and stores and "pro staffed" for these companies and wore there "special shirts, pro staff only" but never though of myself as a pro?I still promote products and do seminars and promote the outdoors to anyone that will listen. Both In hunting and fishing.

I think its my responsibility as an outdoorsman to promote the outdoors to help in anyway I can to keep the sports alive.

So what is a Pro?

Maybe you could explain, so this amateur could understand?

God Bless,
Jeremy

[sabastianbergeron1]

That's a hard one to answer as we all have different options on what a Pro is...I can't answer that question for you....

Bottom line... it's what you know in your heart and know what best for you.

Regards,

Sebastian

[Pete]

Jeremy,

Fishhedz is a great product that you put over your face. a mask basically. On windy or rainy days when you're running down the lake the rain doesn't pelt you in the face. With the interchangeable lenses you can go from smoke to clear so that the fishhed can be used in various weather conditions.

Big Rideau Tackle will be carry these products for the up coming season. I'll show them to you the next time I see you. They are a great product.

Pete

[parker]

Hey Sebastian,

I know in my heart I'm an outdoorsman!

I hope that I have not offended you in anyway this was not my intent.

I'm just tired of hearing about what a pro is or is not?

Some of the best anglers and hunters and conservationists I have ever meet have never set foot in a competition and would not because they think it spoils the sport.

I'm not saying competition is bad either, as I still compete sometimes?
And some of the best innovations have come from competitions?

I just think some of the present , new and upcoming "Pro's" need to take a closer look at themselves and get with the program?

"Right Ike"

All the Best,
Jeremy Parker

[Pete]

parker said:

I just think some of the present , new and upcoming "Pro's" need to take a closer look at themselves and get with the program?

"Right Ike"

All the Best,
Jeremy Parker

Gentlemen,

I'm glad that this is finally getting some attention. However, allow me to expand on what my interruptation of a pro....you both made some good points however, Jeremy you mentioned Iconneli. Is Ike a pro....absolutley without a doubt. However, does he conduct himself in a professional manner??? Not all the time. You don't want to get the 2 mixed up.

Do all professionals carry themselves professionally....no.

Jeremy, as you state you are not a "PRO" but you conduct yourself professionally. 2 separate things.

Pro is just a title. Professionalism is a desciption of how someone behaves.

Most professionals conduct themselves and show professionalism whether they are on or off the water. KVD< Rick CLunn, Marty Stone, etc, are guys that are not only professionals but also show a level of professionalism and that's why they are successful.

My 2 cents.

Pete

[parker]

Pete

Finally someone says it? IT'S JUST A TITLE

So there is no right or wrong answer for this

In my mind Ike is not a Pro!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My two cents worth,

Jeremy Parker

[Stephen Reoch]

Hello All.
Frist I would like to walcome Sebastian to the board.

Now about the Pro word. As Pete knows I started this subject on a nother board. I got some good posts there but I all so got alot of B.S. We have had lots of good posts there. I do agery with Jeremy about the new anglers. Some of them have BIG heads. But look at those anglers stats in there clubs. Some are good And some are very bad. I have shirts & hats to but I do not call my self a Pro.

The word PRO ANGLER is not the word to use.
If you fish touraments all it makes you in a Tourament Angler. (Yes or No)

My two cents worth.
Stephen....