Baseball has its minor leagues and so does fishing. Single A fishing would be your local bass clubs. Don’t get me wrong, there are many great club fishermen but at the club level you will usually be competing against a smaller number of anglers. It is at this level that you can test your skill level without shelling out big bucks to do so. Most clubs have a season standings and an Angler of the Year title to fish for. You will learn how to fish for points as well as fishing to win a tournament. It is at this level that you find out what competitive bass fishing is all about and you figure out exactly what you want from your fishing. Some of the best fishermen that I have seen fish in clubs and nothing else. It is not because they are not skilled fishermen; many are excellent fishermen. It is that they enjoy the comradery and fun that is provided at the club level.

The next level of bass fishing is at the state level. There are many team and individual tournament trails in most states. Here the competition gets tougher and there are more anglers to compete against. Whereas you were competing against 20 or so at the club level, you are now competing against 50-200 at the state level. It is at this level that fishermen start making a name for themselves. It is also at this level that more time and effort in preparation is needed. While more time on the water doesn’t guarantee success, it does increase your chances. Trust me, there is no substitute for time on the water. Not only are you able to learn the lake more, but you are able to learn how to fish better. Every time on the water should be a learning experience. You simply cannot compete at this level consistently without prefishing. Many anglers that fish such a trail know the tournament lakes inside and out and if you have not spent time on the water then you are putting yourself at a severe disadvantage. By the same token, if you can compete at the regional level, then you may be ready to take the next step.

Next is the AAA of Bass Fishing, the qualifying trails such as the Everstart Series and the B.A.S.S. Open Trail. Here you actually must qualify to move on. It is simple, you produce you move up; you don’t , you don’t.

At the top of the chart is the Major League. These are the tours that we see on TV, the Bassmaster Trail and the FLW trail. Realize that the professional anglers that you see on TV are just that professional. They have proven themselves at the “minor league” level and have attracted the sponsors to be able to make a living fishing. Companies pay these anglers to represent them and they have earned the right and reputation to do so. Most of us don’t watch Barry Bonds on ESPN and assume we can just step onto the diamond and hit one into McCovey Cove. Why then do we watch Kevin Van Dam and assume that we can jump into a bass boat and catch 20 lbs a day? It takes skill, time, and effort to develop the skills necessary to be a professional bass fisherman and just like any sport, those at the top are the best in the business.

Remember, it’s okay to dream. I too have envisioned myself breakdancing at the Classic. (Okay maybe not breakdancing but you get the picture). But just remember being a professional at anything requires time, effort, determination, and hard work. Bass fishing is no different. Until next time, good luck and good fishing.