Fishing as a career? Please Help - Bluegill - Big Bluegill2024-03-29T07:26:15Zhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/forum/topics/fishing-as-a-career-please-help?commentId=2036984%3AComment%3A446242&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThat sounds kind of like me.…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-11-08:2036984:Comment:4492482013-11-08T18:41:07.864ZJBplusThuyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JonathanByrne
<p>That sounds kind of like me. I've always loved computers, even before I actually got to use one :-) I started using them in middle schools, when "computer" meant "mainframe" and even midframes and minicomputers were still fairly new (and by mini, I mean something you could probably get in the back of a pickup truck :). <br></br><br></br>I've spent most of my life in IT, except for a few years where I detoured into teaching, and while I really like my work and really like my computers, I no longer…</p>
<p>That sounds kind of like me. I've always loved computers, even before I actually got to use one :-) I started using them in middle schools, when "computer" meant "mainframe" and even midframes and minicomputers were still fairly new (and by mini, I mean something you could probably get in the back of a pickup truck :). <br/><br/>I've spent most of my life in IT, except for a few years where I detoured into teaching, and while I really like my work and really like my computers, I no longer fiddle with computers as a hobby. I've rid myself of nearly all of my parts trove over the past few years, as well as my multiple desktop machines and collection of Sun workstations. Today I have just a single computer, a fairly high-end laptop running Linux. The rest of the family uses Macs.</p>
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<p>If I fished for a living, fishing would probably be just like that for me: I'd seldom if ever do it on my own time, just for fun.</p>
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<p>That said, I don't want to discourage Brandon from pursuing an outdoors-related career. I'd probably enjoy being a game warden, fisheries biologist, etc. He sounds like he's really got his act together and knows what he wants (I should have had my act that together when I was 18), so I'd recommend getting a bacherlor's degree (or even a master's) in a field of study that would land such a job. The most stable and well-paying are probably jobs with state fish and game departments. For info on what degree would be best for that, check job postings in various states and see what academic qualifications they require. Also, try to meet some people working in that field and get their input.</p> Brandon, right now I'm a stud…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-11-07:2036984:Comment:4489712013-11-07T21:41:49.817ZAdam Rinkhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/AdamRink
<p>Brandon, right now I'm a student at Hocking College in Nelsonville, OH. I started out at a local college taking what were quite frankly boring general education courses until I realized I that I wanted to pursue a career in fish and wildlife, a career that I could wake up everyday and want to go to work. I'm going for a degree in Wildlife Management but Hocking offers several degrees in the Natural Resources field, including Fisheries Management and Aquaculture. The school has fairly…</p>
<p>Brandon, right now I'm a student at Hocking College in Nelsonville, OH. I started out at a local college taking what were quite frankly boring general education courses until I realized I that I wanted to pursue a career in fish and wildlife, a career that I could wake up everyday and want to go to work. I'm going for a degree in Wildlife Management but Hocking offers several degrees in the Natural Resources field, including Fisheries Management and Aquaculture. The school has fairly reasonable costs, similar to a community college so you won't have to have tens of thousands of dollars worth of debt after graduation. These degrees can offer a wide range of career opportunities, and though you may not be directly fishing for a living, you could get hired with state or federal agencies dealing with fish and wildlife, or start your own business in the field, such as being a consultant that people could contract you out to design a pond or improve one for instance. Like others have said, it's not a field where you're going to likely become a millionaire, but if you really want to do the work, becoming wealthy monetarily, it shouldn't matter. If you know it's what you want, go for it. Good luck as you go forward.</p> I think I enjoy fishing to mu…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-11-01:2036984:Comment:4469602013-11-01T19:25:03.160ZChris Robertshttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/ChrisRoberts
<p>I think I enjoy fishing to much to make it a career. That probably doesn't make a lot of sense, but let me explain. My career is in IT. I used to love playing with/on computers and decided to make a career of it. Some days I still enjoy my job, but most of the time it's a pain. </p>
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<p>I would not want to look at fishing that way. I never thought I'd dislike working on computers, but about all I do at home is get on and check a few forums. Then I put it away and look for…</p>
<p>I think I enjoy fishing to much to make it a career. That probably doesn't make a lot of sense, but let me explain. My career is in IT. I used to love playing with/on computers and decided to make a career of it. Some days I still enjoy my job, but most of the time it's a pain. </p>
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<p>I would not want to look at fishing that way. I never thought I'd dislike working on computers, but about all I do at home is get on and check a few forums. Then I put it away and look for something else to do.</p>
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<p>There are exceptions to the rule, but I think most people look for something else to do when they're done working. It's usually not the same thing they were doing while they were at work either.</p> *Humbly bow down to your wisd…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-10-29:2036984:Comment:4462612013-10-29T20:49:06.005ZLeo Nguyenhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/LeoNguyen
<p>*Humbly bow down to your wisdom* You nailed it hard there master.</p>
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<p>I thought I would have been a medical doctor ever since I was in 7th grade and throughout the first 3 years of university, which was my dream vocation for the rest of my life, until road blocks altered my course. Now, I'm a scientist, working in the world of environmental affairs, and loving it, yet, my passion also immersed in fishing and fishery biology, among other hobbies.</p>
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<p>Like the world of…</p>
<p>*Humbly bow down to your wisdom* You nailed it hard there master.</p>
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<p>I thought I would have been a medical doctor ever since I was in 7th grade and throughout the first 3 years of university, which was my dream vocation for the rest of my life, until road blocks altered my course. Now, I'm a scientist, working in the world of environmental affairs, and loving it, yet, my passion also immersed in fishing and fishery biology, among other hobbies.</p>
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<p>Like the world of acting, quite a few follow their dream careers, yet, only a very small percentage succeed. I have many friends and associates pursuing the "fishing guide" career, and only 1 out of a huge number actually enjoy the long hours, no vacation break, and suffering in the red for over a decade before achieving enough profit from the rough roads before they call it, "adequately happy life".</p>
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<p>However, if one does have a the physical and mental prowess to pursue without ceasing, eventually, one will reach that goal. Never give up, never surrender, and pursue with everything you got, relentlessly and fiercely.</p> 'yeah - anyone who sells it a…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-10-29:2036984:Comment:4462552013-10-29T20:40:58.354ZDavid, aka, "McScruff"http://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/david553
<p>'yeah - anyone who sells it as easy hasn't done it. "...discipline, dedication, and sweat."</p>
<p>Yessir.</p>
<p>But if youre goona do SOMETHING, anyway, might as well go for it.</p>
<p>'yeah - anyone who sells it as easy hasn't done it. "...discipline, dedication, and sweat."</p>
<p>Yessir.</p>
<p>But if youre goona do SOMETHING, anyway, might as well go for it.</p> Well..........I have resisted…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-10-29:2036984:Comment:4464252013-10-29T20:37:44.516ZTony Livingstonhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/TonyLivingston
<p>Well..........I have resisted posting up until now, as I don't wish to dampen the enthusiasm of youth, especially in regards to outdoor types of careers. But if we're tossing our opinions into the ring, I guess I'll give mine a fling along with everybody else.</p>
<p>There's an old saying that comes up a lot when these types of discussions are aired: "Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life"....again, it's just my opinion, but I happen to feel that's a load of excrement…</p>
<p>Well..........I have resisted posting up until now, as I don't wish to dampen the enthusiasm of youth, especially in regards to outdoor types of careers. But if we're tossing our opinions into the ring, I guess I'll give mine a fling along with everybody else.</p>
<p>There's an old saying that comes up a lot when these types of discussions are aired: "Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life"....again, it's just my opinion, but I happen to feel that's a load of excrement from a male bovine...perhaps it is possible, but work is just that...work. It still requires discipline, dedication, and sweat...either physically, mentally, or both. Attitude and work ethic will play a huge role in whether or not one is truly happy with their choice of vocation.</p>
<p>Along those lines let me add one more thing, this one a little closer to my own heart. Turning a hobby into a vocation, has an unpleasant way of taking the "shine" off the finish......wanting to do it is one thing, having to do it, is quite another indeed.</p>
<p>Not trying to dissuade you in any way, just sharing some life experiences.</p> I would not personally recomm…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-10-29:2036984:Comment:4463592013-10-29T20:06:54.058ZWalt Foremanhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/WaltForeman
<p>I would not personally recommend anyone attempt to make a living building custom rods. This is a topic that comes up frequently on a forum for custom builders that I'm a part of, and the consensus is always that it's extremely difficult to make a living at rod building. Generally the only builders who do are the ones who make glorified factory rods that they produce in bulk at a much lower price than what a truly custom rod can be had for. And to make money doing that one would really…</p>
<p>I would not personally recommend anyone attempt to make a living building custom rods. This is a topic that comes up frequently on a forum for custom builders that I'm a part of, and the consensus is always that it's extremely difficult to make a living at rod building. Generally the only builders who do are the ones who make glorified factory rods that they produce in bulk at a much lower price than what a truly custom rod can be had for. And to make money doing that one would really need a factory as the profit margin on those rods is pretty small. For what it's worth...</p> If your creative - there's lu…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-10-29:2036984:Comment:4464192013-10-29T19:07:36.776ZLedHedhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/LedHed
<p>If your creative - there's lure making or rod wrapping. You can make as much as you want if you are willing to put the time/effort into it.</p>
<p>Pouring and tying jigs can be lucrative, especially if you can offer custom tyes & jigs that work. Plastics is another road....</p>
<p>Check out jigcraft.com - lots of people doing different lures.</p>
<p>If your creative - there's lure making or rod wrapping. You can make as much as you want if you are willing to put the time/effort into it.</p>
<p>Pouring and tying jigs can be lucrative, especially if you can offer custom tyes & jigs that work. Plastics is another road....</p>
<p>Check out jigcraft.com - lots of people doing different lures.</p> Looks like everyone covered a…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-10-29:2036984:Comment:4462472013-10-29T18:55:00.835ZLeo Nguyenhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/LeoNguyen
<p>Looks like everyone covered all the basis here. Just understands that you don't have have to be a guide to enjoy life on the water, and more of it. It's about establishing a job that will enable you to be on the water more often, as well as living in a location where the waters are abundant of aquatic life for you to reach daily. Think about this:</p>
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<p>1. Mike spend more time on the water than most of us, and he's not a fishing guide.</p>
<p>2. Jeffrey Abney is not a fishing guide,…</p>
<p>Looks like everyone covered all the basis here. Just understands that you don't have have to be a guide to enjoy life on the water, and more of it. It's about establishing a job that will enable you to be on the water more often, as well as living in a location where the waters are abundant of aquatic life for you to reach daily. Think about this:</p>
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<p>1. Mike spend more time on the water than most of us, and he's not a fishing guide.</p>
<p>2. Jeffrey Abney is not a fishing guide, yet, he spends plenty of before-and-after work hours on the water.</p>
<p>3. Bruce Condello, one of the two masters of the site, is a dentist for heaven sake, yet, spend quality time to nurture, experiment, and catch titanic fishes of all sorts during his off hours as a fishery biologist.</p>
<p>4. You got Walt Foreman, Tony Livingston, and various pond owners and management personnel that spend quality time in/on the waters to catch what they love: epic monstrous fishes.</p>
<p>5. ..and there are too many additional examples.</p>
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<p>Since you are truly young, the word of advice to you is, strive hard, establish your life with great schooling, a job that you love, build up a solid financial background, and enjoy life later. Don't be distracted by trivial things/desires now that will completely hinder your ability to be stable and fortuitous later, to guaranty you the fishing lifestyle later. It's your decision in life, and we'll be there rooting for you.</p>
<p><br/>Oh, just a word of warning. Once you have a family, all bets are off for a long..long..time. You'll be lucky if you can hit the water that often. Fortunately, Patrick "Bullworm" is favored by the water and fish gods. He enjoy his family, and hitting water more often than the most of us ;-)</p> Brandon,
I've been thinking a…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-10-29:2036984:Comment:4461752013-10-29T18:29:22.856ZDavid, aka, "McScruff"http://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/david553
<p>Brandon,</p>
<p>I've been thinking about you and your question. Let me share something I read with you - sadly, something that came a little late in life to have a major impact on me.</p>
<p>In 1957, the graduating business class of a major university was directed to create life and financial goals for themselves, as part of their graduation commencement. 40 years later, when most of this class was of retirement age, they were again polled to find out how things had been going for…</p>
<p>Brandon,</p>
<p>I've been thinking about you and your question. Let me share something I read with you - sadly, something that came a little late in life to have a major impact on me.</p>
<p>In 1957, the graduating business class of a major university was directed to create life and financial goals for themselves, as part of their graduation commencement. 40 years later, when most of this class was of retirement age, they were again polled to find out how things had been going for them.</p>
<p>The majority of them (about 93%, as I recall) had achieved their goals. They were financially well set in their retirement years. They had also gone on to achieve great things, beyond their earliy aspirations. Some were wealthy, some captains of industry or philanthropists, while others were statesmen and persons of influence.</p>
<p>The point is this: set goals NOW and see them through. Get a notebook, a pencil and start writing - dont stop until your hand is numb. This is called a "whitepaper" exercise, or "brainstorming." Do not hinder yourself, or fail to write everything down. Most of all, DO NOT talk yourself out of anything that comes to mind. This is designed to open your mind, so let it flow. It may take a week or more... go with it.</p>
<p>Then, cull through all the writing and filter down to your core values and key desires. Then devise a year-to-year, 5 year and 10 year plan to get there.</p>
<p>I do this now when an important undetaking is upon me. But, I wish someone would have advised me to do this at 18, looking at my life ahead (a good kick in the pansts would have helped, too).</p>
<p>Today, all I can do is share it and hope you will take it seriously.</p>
<p><strong><em>"Success is 10% inspiration. and 90% Perspiration" - Thomas Edison </em></strong></p>