I keep a file of interesting facts and compelling quotes and one recently caught my eye: Former basketball coach Bobby Knight talked about what it means to love his job:
“I do what I do for a living, and on my day off, I do it for nothing.”
How much do you love to fish? Have you ever dreamt of doing it for a living? Do you long to find some way, any way, into the fishing industry? If you answered yes, you’re not alone.
Each year I’m contacted by several people – usually young men – who aspire to make a living from fishing. Early on in my career, most wanted to talk tournament fishing and sponsorships. Today, with more of my personal recognition coming as a promotional figure and journalist, topics often include sales rep positions and marketing jobs.
Either way, somehow they choose me. Facebook has drastically increased the frequency of these contacts.
Really, I’m all for it. When I was younger, nowhere could I find a book entitled “How to Fish for a Living." I remember memorizing a resource brief;y in existence – I think it was called The BassPro Workshop – as it told the success stories of a handful of pros in the 1980s. Of special note was their media savvy.
Today, things are much different. Media has drastically transformed the scene and nearly everyone is savvy. The fishing industry has changed from one dominated by the good ol' boy network to one often directed by professionals who know more about page views than plastic worms.
So where to begin? Below, I share my thoughts on facets of outdoor employment that I believe are currently trending and allow the possibility of easy entry for those dedicated enough to take the plunge. We also check out what to avoid.
I’ve often felt that I’m far wiser than my personal success represents, thanks to my full-fledge addiction to the pursuit of wild things (i.e. I fish and hunt too much). But here’s what I think:
> Photography: Back in the day, photos were used for catalogs and magazine stories, and that was about it. In addition, only incredibly gifted individuals, combining an artist’s eye with a mathematician’s brain, could make a good picture. Now, with modern cameras and online classes, nearly anyone can. Outlets for photographs are now everywhere: company websites and social media pages, Internet blogs, photo essays, print and more. And, if times get tough, there’s always a need for someone with knowledge of photography and online posting in just about every industry, including hunting, outdoor sports and more. Initial investment is a bit steep for a good camera, but even mid-range models can do just about anything.
> Social media services: Everyone needs help with social media. Some are still unfamiliar with the ins and outs, while others simply don’t have the time or manpower to dedicate to it. Whether it’s a major corporation like a boat manufacturer, a smaller business or a professional angler, believe me, everyone would consider listening to a good, inexpensive pitch that delivers content to their Facebook, Twitter or Instagram sites.
> Sales representative: Decades ago, sales reps in the outdoor world made good money, while often finding themselves on an exclusive invite list to the best hunting and fishing excursions in the world. The only downside was living a life on the road. While today’s job description for reps isn’t nearly as “sexy” as it once was, the Internet has drastically changed the amount of time spent on travel. Many reps visit clients only a few times each year, and spend the better part of their workday in their home office working in their pajamas or waist-deep in a trout stream, working on their I-Phone. Such makes for a schedule that often easily conforms to a fishing addiction or time-off for tournament travel.
Routes to Avoid
Here are a few inside tips on the routes to a fishing job that currently have a good chance of ending poorly.
> Tournament bass pro: In the current state of the tournament bass industry, to earn big bucks as a pro, anglers need to regularly finish in the Top 25 in the AOY standings at the highest levels. Take a look at the number of anglers doing that vs. the number trying, and you can see that’s a tough road.
> Seminar speaker: With a few exceptions, the consumer show industry has completely evaporated, thanks in part to the mega-retailers, who make it pointless to attend. Paid speaking engagements within have nearly disappeared.
> Tackle manufacturer: While in the olden days a guy with a good lure could make a living off decades of sales, in today’s lure race, any good ideas get quickly knocked off. Sure, there are exceptions to every rule, but the best chance to make a living in the tackle world is to come up with a ground-breaking idea and immediately sell it to a mega-power like Berkley, Rapala or Strike King. The days of pegboard racks and homemade spinnerbaits are over.
So there you have my take, for whatever it’s worth. Although the grass is always greener, the outdoor industry can be a wonderful place to work. There’s something about working in a place that people want to go, rather than feel they have to, that just brightens a day.
Perhaps my advice will help a few young enthusiasts find their place in the world. Perhaps it will keep one more kid outside for the rest of his life; either way, I’ve helped. Feel free to carry the conversation on, or contact me at the Joe Balog’s Millennium Promotions Facebook page. That is, if it’s still up and running.
(Joe Balog is the often-outspoken owner of Millennium Promotions, Inc., an agency operating in the fishing and hunting industries. A former Bassmaster Open and EverStart Championship winner, he's best known for his big-water innovations and hardcore fishing style. He's a popular seminar speaker, product designer and author, and is considered one of the most influential smallmouth fishermen of modern times.)
