College vs. Fishing?

[badbass25]

I'm 22 getting ready to turn 23 and I just went back to school. I got married and had a kid right after high school. so i had to step up and be responsible early. After dabbling in the construction industry, I got a good job as a union carpenter, but because of the inconsistancies of work in the construction field and the fact that i am not cut out for the work, i said to heck with it. I went looking for another job, but couldn't find one that paid well and didn't require some sort of work experience or a degree. So I decided to go back to school to get a degree. I too would love to become a pro someday, but chances are that it won't happen. I shouldn't have waited to go back to school, but hindsight is 20/20. Stick with it, cause I am!

[Guest]

Wow Mike - that's a lot of great information. Thanks for sharing that. By the way, it was good seeing you at the show. It's been too long... congrats on the new one on the way.. I just hope she looks like her mom and not you! :)

I agree about the College thing. I was lucky enough that I didn't have the Bass-Bug when I was in college so it wasn't a decision I had to make. I instead had the football and golf bugs - and since I was not good enough to go straight to the pros in either I went ahead and decided to go to college and play football and golf.

On the other hand, had I been bitten by the Bass Bug who knows what I might have decided to do. Lucky enough I got my degree even though I was more focused on football and golf (and girls) than I was school. I was able to do some great things with my degree in the computer world prior to getting the bass bug. The degree in computer science and my experience in the working world was a major player in my obtaining a job in the fishing business. While working in the fishing business I am not able to fish as many events as I would like - however, the ones I do fish I can fish relatively comfortably and still work a job effectively. But the key to everything is that I know if I had to make a lot of money for situations like Tuck was referring to - kids/family etc. I could always go back to writing software or being a Network architect or a C.S. Administrator for a company pretty easily and make quite a good living. It's kind of a security blanket for me!

On the flip side - I am chasing guys like Ricky S, Mike Tuck and many others on the fishing experience/knowledge/ability side of things. However, I think that is more to my late start (33 years old) in bass fishing more than it was my attending college that put me behind the curve on those things. The great thing about it is... Bass Fishing hasn't hit its height of popularity yet --- and guys like Ike, KVD, Swindle, Skeet and more are making it easier everyday to make a living in the sport. Don't get me wrong - its not easy and still even feasible for most of us... but, someday it very well could be. I remember when Golf was where fishing is today it was only 15 years ago or so and me and my buddies were talking about trying to make a living golfing and we were in the same quandry that bass fisherman are in today. It took guys like Freddie Couples, Greg Norman and finally Tiger Woods to push golf over the top. I can see Bass Fishing going the same way. We just have to hope BASS and FLW can find a better way to market the anglers to the world. That's a whole 'nother can of worms right there. But to sum that up in a few sentences here is my take on that... They need to market the angler not themselves... For Example: People don't love the NFL... They love the Packers, Niners, Cowboys whatever. People don't follow golf.. they follow Tiger, Phil Mickelson or Freddie Couples. Even in bass fishing FLW has great paybacks and great events.. but, people still here the names IKE, KVD, SKEET, ISH, etc.. etc. far more than they hear of the FLW guys. It's a shame but, truth be told BASS is doing more for the sport than FLW. (IMHO)

Wow - I went off on a few different tangents.. but, what I am trying to get at is... the info you are getting here is pretty much spot on. Get the education so you always have that ability to get a good job should the situation arise that needed you to do so. I would also highly recommend getting some experience in whatever field your degree is in as well. Getting a job with a degree isn't easy.... getting a job with a degree and some experience is much easier! Do this while working up the ranks in the bass fishing world. You are hitting bass fishing at the perfect time... its going to get bigger and making a living at it should get more feasible in the near future. Chasing the dream with no fall back plan makes reaching the dream quite a bit harder. Fishing with the thought that you need to cash a check to by food, pay rent or buy diapers will jack your head all up and make it that much harder to be successful. Fishing with a clear head and no worries about the bills puts you in position to be successfull! Look at Tiger Woods in golf - he doesn't care if he makes $5 or $5 million in a tournament he just goes out to win... and that is why (along with his talent and work ethic) he wins! If he had to win to pay his bills he would be a lot less successful I promise you because a 10 foot putt for rent is a lot harder than any other 10 foot putt. That goes for fishing and your decisions on the water as well.

[Guy Kelley]

Tom, You and the many others here, Have said a Mountain of truth and wisdom. Lets just hope he hears it. Un-Like a lot of kids today who think they can make a living playing Nintendo. and they have all the time in the world. Except they one day wake up to the fact they are suddenly 30 plus old and wonder were all the time went!!

[Greg_Cornish]

So what I missed a period. Mike I. has a degree. meaning Mike Ike has a degree. You knew what I meant. Maybe just another uneducated cleare lake fool who thinks he can make a living fishin.

Apology sent in PM Smitty.

[JustinD]

Take the time to chase your dream while you have no obligations but to yourself. College will be there later after you settle down a little. You'll be a little more mature, ready to begin a professional life (and college is truely your first career), a little wiser from your worldly experience, and overall a better student. Take a chance follow your dreams back east or out to sea........can't hurt.

[chris_hughes]

Thanks Mike and everyone else who has put the time in to share their thoughts and experiences. I realize now especially the importance of getting your prioritizing the things that matter in life, as much as I do want to put fishing before everything else the things everyone has said has shown me that I have things backward, which I'm glad I realized now instead of a few years down the road. All the things that this website has to offer and some of the crap that is said on here, this string of posts shows what kind of people are in the bass fishing community. You couldn't ask for a better responses of tips and wisdom that this post has brought to the table. I really appreciate all the things said and all the opinions stated, believe me when I say that I will take all of this to heart and not just let it pass by as unnoticed information. Knowing the kind of people on this site just shows me that I can come here for college help anytime and advice in general. You guys are the reason this sport is the way it is with the majority of people being some of the best guys and gals you could ever talk to. Thanks again everyone I really do appreciate and take it in whole hearted.

Tight lines,



Chris Hughes

[stonefly]

My 2 cents, I have 3 kids -18, 15, 12, we have had many college conversations, actually education in general, and I've always used the same 3 words somewhere in our discussions-Knowledge is Power!

[Cooch]

who is on the fence like Chris and reading this thread, if you haven't been convinced to start, stay in or complete your college education before committing to bass fishing competatively, you better go re-read Mike Tuck's post. That is a first hand reality check boys and girls!

Thanks for sharing that Tuck!

[Scott Shambre]

Chris,

I have known you since the "tadpole" days and like Justin, you have grown into a pretty respectable young man. You have managed in this messed up world of our youth and their troubled priorities to keep yourself on track in your education and steering clear of "the bad things". This is in large part to your up bringing by your family and you core values that you believe in.

Stick to school kid and keep it your priority. The fishing thing will work itself out because in the end, all it really is, is just fishing. Keep your priorities straight in your self, family & friends and let everything else work itself out.

Give me a call sometime or just stop by the house if you want a more in depth discussion on what I feel are the "important" things in life. Good luck kid.

Scott Shambre

[Scott Shambre]

Chris,

I have known you since the "tadpole" days and like Justin, you have grown into a pretty respectable young man. You have managed in this messed up world of our youth and their troubled priorities to keep yourself on track in your education and steering clear of "the bad things". This is in large part to your up bringing by your family and you core values that you believe in.

Stick to school kid and keep it your priority. The fishing thing will work itself out because in the end, all it really is, is just fishing. Keep your priorities straight in your self, family & friends and let everything else work itself out.

Give me a call sometime or just stop by the house if you want a more in depth discussion on what I feel are the "important" things in life. Good luck kid.

Scott Shambre

[Peter Lloyd]

Chris,

Stay in school. There will be a lot of time for fishing after you graduate. You can still fish tournaments, but your focus should be on getting your degree.
I did the part-time college thing for too many years. I wish I had gone full-time from the time I graduated high school. I would have had my degree much sooner.
Anyway, I finally graduated last month with my business degree in accounting. I actually had a job offer a year before I graduated which included a large signing bonus. Now, I am planning to go back to get my masters.
Have you picked a major yet? If not, you can't go wrong with a business degree. A business degree will help you in almost anything you do, including pro bass fishing.

Seeya,

Peter

[JRock]

Since everyone else is weighing in on this issue, I might as well too. I like a lot of anglers dreamed of fishing for a living. School was definitely not one of my strengths, but I knew that I wouldn't have peace of mind if I were stop after high school.

I have since gone on to earn a A.A., B.A., and an M.A.. I eaned all of this while being told by more than one teacher that I didn't have what it took to go to college.

I put myself through college with the help of student loans and the military as I served four years of active duty in the Army.

I'm now in a job that I love so much, fishing has become truly a hobby, as I look forward to work every day and fish whenever I can. Most importantly I can look my children in the eyes and tell them "this is what your father did, and this is what's expected of you."

In the Army I learned the phrase "Lead By Example," very few words ring truer to me.

Regardless of how much success you may have as an angler, you will always regret not finishing school. Anyone who tells you different is in denial.

[Bob Simard]

Finish college now - tournament circuits will always be here to. It'll be much harder to return to college later, particular if you get married, have kids, etc.

Also, I don't think it's as much about chasing dreams as it is gambling your financial future that you'll be successful. Investing these few, short years in yourself getting that degree gives you an insurance policy IN CASE YOU'RE NOT.

And while money ain't everything - I can tell you, having it don't suck.

U.S. Mean Annual Earnings by Education - Annual Income

High School $37,031
Bachelor's Degree $67,495

Source: Money Income in the United States 2004, U.S. Department of Commerce

My 02 cents - Get your degree and fish out of the back as an AM - then worry about fishing the pointy end. You'll end up with 2 educatons, versus one.

Study hard this semester! Good Luck -

Bob Simard

[upriverLMB]

I absolutely cringe at your question having a 3rd year Cal Poly student under my wing and knowing a duck hunting and bass fishing acquaintance that has fished and won a Bassmasters elite series event.

It’s like Rodeo son if you have UNLIMITED BACKING and can parlay it into a career then go for it.

If you want a family and security, run like hell.

[Brian Linehan]

School all the way. Fishing will always be there. How many wealthy people do you know who have earned their wealth from fishing? Probably less than 100 guys in the entire world. That's crappy odds bro! I guess it also depends on what you consider as wealthy.

You live once and your life is not worth gambling over. Make money, get a 401K and invest. You have plenty of time to fish and you'll be able to afford the stuff you really want to do instead of going through life struggling. Good luck man!