ben23 | Tue Apr-19-05 06:03 PM |
Member since Apr 09th 2004
186 posts
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#3050, "Career options in FISHING?"
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I'm coming to the age (15) where i need to start planning what carrer to take, of coarse we would all like to major in fishing, i understant that I probably wont. I do beleive that bass fishing is a growing industry, and I am wondering what carrer choices I have that will keep me involved with the sport, like lure making, reel building, design, fisheries/ outdoor guide, etc.
I'm sure a few of you work for fishing companies,( pm me if you dont want to blow your cover), that know what career choices that involve outdoors/ fihing activities or design.
Thanks for any help!!
BEN
ps: i miantain a 4.0 gpa and am in many accelerated classes god bless
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CJ | Wed Apr-20-05 12:44 AM |
Member since Nov 02nd 2001
335 posts
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#3052, "RE: Career options in FISHING?"
In response to Reply # 1
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I think I have a little credibility on this subject. I have been on the bass tackle retail scene for 12 years now and can tell you a few things.
Number One- If you like to fish, stay away from the retail tackle game. When fishing gets its best, you have to work the hardest and the most days(hours). This doesn't let up in the slower times of year (winter) when you have to work hard just to keep the business coming in the door.
Number Two- If you want to work as a rep for a tackle manufacturer, see Number One and add numerous hours and travel time doing show(many of which are all-species, be ready to answer trout, catfish and barracuda questions all day long)
Number Three- if you want to be a rod-wrapper, tackle manufacuter, etc. be ready for back-stabbing pirates who will copy any non-copywrited idea and have it made in China for pennies on the dollars that you'll spend in production for an original idea.
NOW, if you are not scared away totally, get a part-time gig on a sport boat, or tackle shop (as Brian suggested) make some connections and feel out your career path. It's a hard business, but I'd rather spend the day talking about MS Slammmers and plastic worms than spread sheets and market analysis. Unless you open a tackle website, then be prepared for all of the above and more.
Good Luck, we need more dedicated guys in the tackle industry!
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ben23 | Wed Apr-20-05 12:23 PM |
Member since Apr 09th 2004
186 posts
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#3056, "RE: Career options in FISHING?"
In response to Reply # 3
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thanks, all that definantly makes a lot of sense
does anyone have any experience in the biology aspect of fishing/ fisheries?
It seems like its hard to make it in the fishing industry, even though it is a 12 billion dollar business.
I'm definantly dedicated enough to work hard to get teh job done, i just know that if it has to do with fishing, i'll be captivated.
But i'm planning on having a family and dont want to make the same amount if I was working at a mcdonald's
please keep those suggestions coming
THANKS SOO MUCH
BEN god bless
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swimbait | Wed Apr-20-05 01:49 PM |
Charter member
9890 posts
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#3058, "RE: Career options in FISHING?"
In response to Reply # 5
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I always like to talk to people in the industry to try and see if they are really making any money and if they ever get to fish. The answer honestly is that there are very few people who are actually getting rich on fishing and getting to fish a lot.
If you're a small shop or lure business, odds are you are going to be working 6 to 7 days a week 60+ hours a week to make a decent living. If you work for a big tackle company, it may not be much different than working for any regular type of business.
Some people have been successful with turning small lure companies into larger companies, but there are always tradeoffs. If you make a custom lure that requires skill to make, you might find that hiring other people to make the lure or sending production out of the country results in a decline in quaility and a corresponding decline in sales. If you were really serious about going into the lure business, I'd get some type of degree in manufacturing so that if you do invent the next sweet beaver, senko, or huddleston deluxe, you can organize the production processes to make volume. Fishing lures can come into popularity in a few months and if you don't have the production capabilities to meet the demand, you're going to be losing a lot of money. Trust me, there is no shortage of people out there who have huge demand for their lures but because they can't meet the demand and maintain quality, they're just making average money.
Me ... I'm a tech monkey. My degree is in Business Administration with an emphasis in MIS. Its a long way from fishing, but like magmaster said, I have a flexible arrangement at work so I get to fish a lot.
Whatever you do, you can't go wrong going to college and getting your degree. You've got some time to plan, and you're doing the right thing starting early.
-Rob
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ben23 | Wed Apr-20-05 02:10 PM |
Member since Apr 09th 2004
186 posts
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#3059, "RE: Career options in FISHING?"
In response to Reply # 6
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I'm definantly going to college, no question well as of now, college might be free (lots of Basketball scholarships have started coming in the mail)
This really tourments me knowing that there is so much business oppertunities, that would allow me to fish and play basketball, while making a substantial amount of money
but the things I like are:
fishing outdoors (i would hate to be locked up in a cubical all day) basketball
maybe a degree in biology like fisheries/ outdoor management would do the trick.? But after college what jobs does this degree deal with?
Being an atletic trainer would also be something of intres for me, but I think those hours are huge.
But I have some killer ideas for my own custom baits,but i know the lure making industry is extremely difficult.
SO its a hard decision
thanks for the help and keep the help coming
BEN
god bless
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ben23 | Wed Apr-20-05 02:53 PM |
Member since Apr 09th 2004
186 posts
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#3061, "RE: Career options in FISHING?"
In response to Reply # 8
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yes, i know, i need to edit my posts before posting but thanks for the encouragement BEN god bless
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