You Can Learn a Lot from a Professional Bass Fisherman

I set down my fly rod and picked up my spinning rod for the first time in a lot of years last year to go bass fishing with a colleague in a local pond.  I’ve been hooked on bass fishing since then, including following Bassmaster and Major League Fishing.  After almost a year of watching videos and reading blogs and articles I have determined that you can learn a lot from a bass fisherman.  A big part of their job is attracting sponsors and interacting with the media.  

Kevin VanDam is arguably the best bass fisherman in the history of the sport and here are some of the things that you can learn by reading just one of his posts.  

Nothing is Free 

This lesson is valuable in both life and business and while it might destroy the dreams of a lot of Bernie Sanders fans, it’s true.  If you attract a sponsor that sponsor will expect a return on its investment and that means you will have to help them sell, sell, sell their product.  

Expect to Work Hard 

You want somebody to get the impression that they are getting their money’s worth?  Come in early and stay late because people are watching and when they notice it will go a long way.  This lesson also holds true whether you’re a clerk or a pro. 

Stay Well Groomed and Presentable 

Keep your hair short and brushed, shower, tame that bad breath, and dress well.  Nobody’s in the market to hire somebody with purple and green hair, rings in their noses and lips, tattoos on their neck, reeks of body order, and who always looks disheveled and sloppy.  Again, this is another real world lesson that holds true for engineers as well as pro basser’s.

VanDam from the KVD website.

Treat Everyone with Respect and Always Act Professional 

VanDam wrote in one of his posts that, “the media is the message” and he is exactly right.  But treating people with respect and acting professional should become second nature to people.  Not only will you get a lot more accomplished by being a nice person but you never know where a relationship might go.  You might be working with a new friend, new sponsor, or maybe your future boss.  It holds true for fans as well and they can bring you down quicker than anything.  This is another one that is true in the business world as well as fishing.  Remember, somebody is always watching.

Give Back When You Can 

You can make a kids wish come true, donate a fishing trip, make a personal appearance, give a boat ride to somebody or even just become a younger colleagues mentor and offer sound advice.  

  

Here are a couple of great posts from VanDam: One and Two.  

It shows that there is much, much more to being a pro fisherman than you and I ever imagined.