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

Hey ben, I was in the same position as you a couple years ago. There's really two ways you can go- (1) get a job in the fishing industry and have plenty of hookups and be around the industry or (2) get a job which allows you to make enough money to buy all your fishing goodies, fish once in awhile and retire as soon as possible so you can fish more. It's up to you, just depends on which way you wanna take it.

Just like anything, if you want to have a career in fishing you need to start at the bottom and work your way up. Now's the time to start scrubbing decks if you wanna be a sportboat captain, or learning to wrap rods if you wanna be a rod builder, etc. Working at a tackle shop is a good start if nothing else. Unless you're interested in the fisheries or biology side of things it's tough to find a concentration once you get to school that'll help you out in the fishing industry. Most fishing careers are better prepared for with time on the water rather than time in the books.
-Brian

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!

I agree with the first statement that CJ made...... If you like fishing...... stay away from the fishing industry. Your time on the water dwindles very fast. x(

Mark

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

Ben my advice to you for now is to work at a local tackle shop and learn the business. But I would go to school for business management or something business related and be your own boss or a big wig at a larger fishing company. If you just work in the industry you're not going to get rich and you get a little burnt out too. Owning your own business can be a pain but if you keep your head above water and hang in there you could be successful and then you hire a bunch of people to work for you while you go out and fish :-)

Option 2 is to get a job like Rob and fish every morning and weekend and not get fired!!}(

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

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

You have motivation and a mature attitude, and you have been given very good advice here. My only suggestion is that you improve your spelling before applying to college. Spelling was my weakness in high school, but I improved on it before college.

Best of success.

Bob

yes, i know, i need to edit my posts before posting but thanks for the encouragement
BEN

god bless

I can provide you with the steps to take, including pros and cons, if you choose the academic path.

urbanredneck35@yahoo.com

think about marine bioligy i saw a guy in sports authority and asked where he was going fishing he said he was a marine bioligist and he goes out and catches all kinds of saltwater fish for running tests and such

if you ask me what a rainbow trout is I'll say its a gay fish

If you cant tune a guitar can you tuna fish

1. stay in school
2. think about marine biology - you're on the water and can actually make a difference in our/your fisheries.
3. how about mechanical engineering - who do you think actually designs the reels? one of us lead-chuckers?
4. follow some of the previous advice: specifically - get into a career that PAYS for family first and LOTS of fishing second. :)
5. stay in school

thanks guys, this advice is perfect

Marine biology is something i'm definantly interested in

what branches of marine biology would mean spending time on the water

I would love to study freshwater fish patterns, cause i have no doubt that that would help my fising!!

I know that Doug Hannon studies bass, so something like that would be great.

Something I'm unclear about is how Biologists make Money? Are they just paid to do research???? Or is there some sort of product that makes money?

Thanks


BEN

god bless

Marine Biology could be a good way to go. I see you're from the Northeast, Woods Hole in MA is legendary when it comes to marine biology- UCSD and UCSB in California have epic marine biology programs, a biology degree can go a long way- Whatever you do, you'll probably change your mind ten times in the next few years, but if you have the opportunity, get your degree, that will open doors in whatever you want to do- Even if your degree isn't specifically what you're targeting, it will put you head and shoulders above others going for the job you want- like others said, even if your career isn't in the fishing industry, it's nice to be able to afford fishing when and where you want to. Good luck, you're definetly on the right track!

Guys like Ken Cook have learned a lot from the biology side and had epic fishing careers; lots of opportunity in aquaculture and stuff as well- It's a big world full of hungry people who will pay to eat fish!!

Marine biology doesnt sound like thats what Ben is interested in. Marine means saltwater, and he seems more interested in freshwater. Plenty of colleges out there offer a fisheries biology degree that focuses on freshwater, and many really focus on bass. And Ben, many of these schools have excellent basketball teams as well (such as North Carolina State). And, Univ of Vermont has an excellent fisheries program. Wouldnt hurt my feelings any spending four years fishing for smallies on Lake Champlain (the campus is right on the lake)!

Really, your options are endless in fisheries. But, if thats what you want to do you need to start thinking about things now. For example, there are two main arenas in fisheries: research and managment. Researchers find the answers to questions, and managers (like DFG) use those answers to best manage fisheries (well, thats the way its supposed to work). The third arena is regulatory, ya know, the people who hold people/companies/corporations to compliance with environmental laws like the endangered species act. I would strongly suggest not getting involved in arena number three, its pure politics.

Either way, youve got lots to think about, but your starting to think at the right age. I didnt start thinking until I was in my early 20's! Doh! No wonder I still dont own a Ranger.

Ok, marine Biology does not mean a saltwater biologist. Marine biologists deal with all aquatic life, fresh and saltwater and it is a good industry to get into as long as you are dedicated enough to go through all of the schooling, be prepared for a heavy dose of math and Science.

In Alaska, I did a lot of research in marine Biology and even started taking classes before I joined the armed forces, jobs you could be doing are fish counts, environmental studies, management in conjunction with Df&G...etc.

It's awesome to hear the guys on this board to tell you to stay in school...ECHO.
I thought your reaction to the suggestion of being more conscientious regarding your spelling shows you are mature and coachable.
I have a suggestion no one else has offered. Go to college and consider being a teacher. If teaching appeals to you, it might be the answer you are looking for.
First of all, don't listen to the people who tell you teachers are poor. Underpaid, maybe... but if they are poor it is by choice.
Teachers work 180 days or so a year (depending on who they work for)
Do the math...that is only half the days of the year.
Teachers work excellent hours. I'm not going to say "short days" because only lazy teachers work short days. But if you manage your time, you will have a plethora of time to fish or to make money through other means.
If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a teacher. When I'm not teaching I run a small business that allows me to supplement my teaching income (to be able to purchase any fishing equipment I desire). When I'm not taking care of my seasonal business, I still have time to fish 150+ days a year.
My business operates in the summer. It is not related to the fishing industry, but yours could. I have a friend who is a teacher and for years he was a fishing guide in Alaska during the summers. Not only did he make excellent money, his teaching schedule matched the peak demand for guides.
By the way, if you want to significantly increase your earnings as a teacher, get a Master's degree. In any event, continuing your education is the answer.
Good luck with your decision. There are plenty of quality choices out there if you prepare to take advantage of them.
Tree
Happiness is a tight line and a stiff pole.

These suggestions are definantly helping me. The hard part is making the right decision on which career path to take. There are so many choices out there that I want to explore.

I'm going to do some research right now.

Thank you for the help and more help is absolutely welcomed

BEN

god bless

Hey, ya sound like me a few years ago. Me being a female, and a mother of two, it's really not a possibility to be a deckhand or captain. :) So I chose online retail and biology. (Just what everyone on this board is saying!) I actually started my major in something else and changed to a double major of biology and graphic design two years ago. And yes, I will pursue as a marine biologist, as well as keep my business going online.

There are many choices just as everyone said, but after doing a lot of thinking, there are really only a few that are profitable. I chose the two I thought most profitable. If I didn't have two children, (or was a woman) boy would I love to be a deckhand or a captain and be out at sea all day. (Not impossible in it's entirety seeing as Cpt. Greenlaw did it in The Perfect Storm) :)

Good luck in your decision and yes, college is a must!

Sandra Love - Love's Outdoors & Sporting Goods
http://www.sbsociety.net
http://www.sbsociety.net/forums
http://www.sbsociety.net/topsitesphp

Thanks again for the help,

there are indeed a lot of choices that would enable me to be close to fishing, Right now I'm looking into fisheries science and management. Teaching also sounds good, I would probably love to be a science teacher, and have the hole summer to fish.

HMMMMMM


keep that help coming


THANKS

BEN

god bless

Ben,
I believe that there are some basic courses that will be needed no matter which specific area you wind up in. These basic courses will probably take 2-4 years to lead you into one specific area. Look at it as an "apprenticeship".
I started in construction 35 years ago. First step was learning how to hammer a nail. x( It all evolved from there.

PS: Present-day marine biology desperately needs members who also love to fish.

This is Wade on Joey's computer.

I had been wondering what your strong suits/most enjoyable subjects were as I read through this thread. I'm now guessing that you rather enjoy science. The advice I feel is most important, other than staying in school, is to find something which you can enjoy and works with your values. Secondly, be aware of those things that would side track you.

Examples of the above concepts apply to me. I excelled in math and science in general. However, I always had to work at Biology. I felt as though Chemistry was interesting, yet it didn't come naturally to me. Physics on the other hand was second nature to me. I decided to become an Engineer. I planned on majoring in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis on Hydrodynamics. I believed I could parlay this into a career designing boats of one form or another eventually.
Then along came my future wife/ex-wife and shortly after marriage 1st of 2 children. Due to some other happenings, my financial backing disappeared and I was forced to start working full time. I settled for an Associates degree in Drafting rather than the multiple Bachelors (and possibly Masters) degrees I wanted. I still intend to earn those degrees, just on a much more extended timeline.

Tight lines and God Bless,
Wade

JC

http://www.bassanglerprofiles.com/joeycastro.htm

Ben, I worked as a fisheries manager for over 20 years, which included, fish hatchery management, fishing resort management, fishing lake management and part-time fishing guide but, unfortunately there is not much demand for fisheries managers or even fisheries biologist, if you plan on working for the state of California. With all the budget cuts, these jobs are the first to go and have been routinely eliminated for many years. I had to go to Idaho and Alaska for work. I would still suggest going to school and getting a minor degree in biology and a major in a specialty like Ichtheology (biology of fishes). Plan on working for another state, unless you would like to teach or go in to the private sector. Dave.

yeah, I really have no idea what the demand is for fisheries management out here, but i'm exccelent in science, and pretty darn good in Math. Science may be my field of choice, i just have to make sure i take the right paths and figure out ecxactly what science I should get in to.


Thank you very much for everything, all comments are welcome


BEN

god bless

Hey man- I just graduated from UCSB. There are a ton of opportunities to be on the water and "in" class at the same time. While I did not major in anything bio related I had some good friends who did. The most successful of which was an avid diver and became very involved with the marine bio program. By our senior year he was literally on the water more than he was in class. He did all kinds of research and had access to boats, people who own really nice boats, and in general met tons of other people who all love the ocean - these people also loved to fish. More freediving/spearfishing than rod and reel though. Plus, they knew some pretty sweet spots. Good luck.

Brent

Brent, congrats on the UCSB diploma, sure doesn't suck to have that on the resume! I'm sure you hated the fact of the lack of gals around there, though... }(

Here's my two cents...

I'm probably one of the older group on this site and have had a lot of different jobs and opportunities. First things first...you need to stay in school. Not that it will guarantee you success but it will certainly give you a well-roundedness that will likely be more appealing to employers as you take your first job or jobs. It doesn't sound like you are anything like me, but I just wanted to get through with school as quick as possible. Get it done and get your life underway!

Now as for fishing vs. non-fishing...
I've worked both the retail end as well as the the manufacturer's end and regardless of where I had been, I found my passion for fishing waning the longer I held those jobs. In short, the more you work in fishing the less you want to be fishing...at least that was my experience. Like someone else has already said, the better the fishing...the more you will have to work. Think about that...how lame would that be to have to go to work when the fish are on the bite??? It's really hard to take.

You are a young man with a good head on your shoulders. You've come to the right place for getting the advice on this issue. I would have to say that the majority of the people who currently have jobs in the fishing industry and who also have children at your age deciding on a career, would NOT encourage their children to follow in their footsteps. Just my guess.

Take the advice that everyone has given you and base your decision on what you FEEL is the best bet. You will never know until you do it.

One last thing, don't ever be afraid to try. You will achieve great things if you keep your faith in God and believe that he has a plan for you. The decisions that you make are Gods way of revealing what He has in store for you. Keep the faith young brother and make your decisions with confidence!

God Bless YOU!

Darin

Thanks guys

I pray every night for God's guidance so I can work it out, I know no matter what you guys tell me that its God's plan, i just want general ideas of what I should be thinking about and praying about.

Right now i'm thinking about the fishery Biologist type of thing. Maybe work for the Department of Natural Reasources. Maybe i could be the person that studies the fish and growing habits,or the people who help new ponds get started/managed. I dont know what type of demand they have out here in MD, but the potomac river and the chesapeak bay offer potintial studies.

God bless

BEN

god bless

Ben, Dont think about this now. Not one bit.learn, fish, and play basketball as long as you possibly can. Thats when the jobs start popping up out of no where. Dont worry about it now. you are fine. just have fun. When your parents make you get a job, then get one at sportfishing place where you can fish for free whenever you are off.

that worked for me until I was 19, then I had to go work in a surf shop during the winter- definetly not a good career choice when you have options in front of you that Ben seems to have- get the degree and go from there! I put working on a boat in front of going to summer school at SLO, went to SDSU instead cause I could fish all summer- looking back, I wish I would have put school first and went to Cal Poly, that's just me but looking back now, there's always time for fishing, don't pass on a great shot at a good education- Not that SDSU is bad, but I wish I had an engineering degree from SLO instead of a surfing degree from SDSU- :o

Looking back, I'd be fishing from the front of my boat instead of the back of somebody else's boat if I was more concerned with education when I was 17

i agree with both of you, and I think I know what your talking about

I cant let myself be consumed by finding career options, when I should just be a kid

But I also need to make sure i keep education and the chance for a good career first



THANKS GUYS

Keep it coming

BEN

god bless

Yeah just have fun for now!!

No but really....there are unlimitted possibilities in front of you.
The fishing industry as a career is WORK....and although it may be fun at first it is still work...and work sucks!

As stated previously try and find a career that will allow you the most amount of time to do what you love. Teaching is a very good choice. Heck get a biology/science degree and teach biology, science, marine biology etc...
Then you can even make some more money by guiding or working the boats in the summer. Or just spend the whole summer and all your days off fishing.
One thing that sucks about school is that in the attempt to prepare us for the real world, they neglect to tell us that all the holidays we were getting off....are not the same holidays that employers give you!
And to add to that if/when you have children you will have the same days off as them.


OK so now for my own experiences...my dad was able to retire at 37. Got his pilots license when he was 14 and was in the Air Force at 17....B-52 Pilot.
Loved to fish and needed to be by a base for the benefits. Wanted retirement weather and excellent fishing so So Cal and Florida were the choices. Ended up checking out San Diego, Long Beach, and Port Hueneme.....settled on Hueneme for the small town charm.
Bought the Bait and Tackle shop at the pier as a way to spend his days. Would fish mornings and evenings after work on the pier with me in tow.

Being in Hueneme I was fortunate. I fished the pier daily and learned from all the "old" locals and being by the harbor I had no less than 5 Sportboat Captains on my Block!
First time I started going out on the boats was when I was 5(super young pinhead) I stayed on the boats working up to a deckhand doing everything from long range to working the bait boats. In High School 2 of my friends dropped out to work full time on the boats. One got his captains license shortly thereafter. Both had families early on as well....but they are both divorced now. I myself was on my way to college but my first son interupted things and I had to start working to support a family...not on the boats though.

Time of my life on the boats as I had spent literally YEARS on the water and learned alot from the guys I worked with/for. ALOT of what i learned was their mistakes and shortcomings and what NOT to do...now years later with a wife a house(which I bought when I was 23) and 3 boys I like to wind down and relax on the water with no hassles. I have owned 3 boats...and now am a Kayak guy.

Luckily I was able to work my way up rather fast in the Tech industry to where I'm out now. I only work a couple days(nights to be exact) for a Semiconductor company and draw fulltime pay/benefits.
That leaves me with Monday-Friday to fish all day(minus shuttling the kids to school)...and Saturday and Sunday mornings after work.

Once the kidos are in school fulltime(still have the 4yr old to go) I will start working on a degree so I can start teaching...why? So I can have a job(I consider teaching to be my "retirement") that will allow me to spend the maximum amount of time on the water with my sons.



SUMMARY:
As you get older time above all else becomes the main factor in what you can and cannot do. Time is precious in this busy day and age. Many "Do Not Have Time" to spend fishing...as fishing is a somewhat time consuming endeavor.
My suggestions
A. Chose a career that will allow you the time.
B. Chose a location to live/work with endless fishing possibilities(it amazes me when I see how far away some of the "locals/regulars" live.) This will allow you more time on the water and less time traveling...once it becomes a hassle/time consuming to get to the water...your time on it will start to dwindle.

A+B=Enjoying a life of fishing..where it is your LIFESTYLE and not just a hobby.

MJ aka Mr Mugu

wow , thanks for the extensive reply!

VERY INFORMATIVE!!!!!

This is a lot to absorb and I'm starting to write all of these suggestions down!!
again, thanks


BEN

GOD BLESS

god bless

Dont know if it was mentioned but a career with Fish and Game will also get you out and about.

Oh and for a really cool experience after you graduate from High School sign up and work in Alaska for a month or two in the summer(they cover food, lodging, and airfare.) Long hours and tedious work but with the $$$$ you bring home you wont have to work for part of the school year. My friends and I did it for 2 summers...and have lots of memories.