Entry 297-1
The Business of Being a Strike King Pro with Denny Brauer
Editor’s Note: Strike King is extremely proud of the men and the women who make-up the Strike King professional team. They have proven to be some of the best bass-fishing professionals in the world. To be a great fisherman and a part of the Strike King team, these pros not only have to be the best in the world of professional fishing, they also have to be extremely-good businessmen. To learn how the Strike King pros have become some of the best in the business of fishing, we’ve asked Denny Brauer of Camdenton, Missouri, to tell us what’s involved in the business of being a professional fisherman.
Part 1: Balancing Fishing and Business
Question: Denny, how do you balance being a businessman and one of the best bass fishermen in the world?
Brauer: I’m really fortunate to have my wife, Shirley, manage much of the business part of my profession from the bookkeeping and the phone calls to the correspondence. Having her handle this part frees me to do the work of a bass-fishing pro from competing and winning tournaments to promoting my sponsors’ products. To do well in the business of bass fishing, you have to win and place well in a number of tournaments. If you work hard at catching bass and promoting your sponsors’ products, you’ll make a lot of money. One aspect of the business of fishing most newcomers to our sport don’t understand is being willing to travel, even when you’d rather stay at home. Too, you must be willing to work with the general public to help them become better fishermen, while promoting your sponsors’ products.
For me, the business of fishing comes down to two things – working hard and associating myself with great people willing to work with me and produce fishing products I believe in 100%. With sponsors like Strike King, I want to help develop products and lures that help me, as well as others, catch more fish, win more tournaments and have more fun fishing. Important aspects of the business of fishing include hard work, working with good people and helping companies produce quality fishing products.
Next: Time Management
Contents:
- Part 1: Balancing Fishing and Business
- Part 2: Time Management
- Part 3: Choosing Your Partners
- Part 4: Finding a Good Agent
- Part 5: Plan for the Future
