Editing Bass fishing (section)

== Professional Bass Angling ==
With the rise in popularity of competitive bass fishing came the multibillion-dollar industry of professional bass angling.  The rise in popularity and the companies that have supported the sport have now made it possible to turn bass angling into a professional sport.  A professional bass angler is a person who competes in bass fishing pro circuit and may also have company sponsorships.  Some famous pro circuits include [[Bass Anglers Sportsman Society]] (BASS), [[FLW Outdoors|Walmart FLW Tour]], and the [[Major League Fishing]] (MLF) Bass Pro Tour (BPT) .<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/how-to-become-pro-bass-angler/|title=How to Become a Pro Bass Angler|last=Samsel|first=Jeff|date=Feb 28, 2012|website=Game and Fish Mag|publisher=n.p.|access-date=April 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427004559/http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/how-to-become-pro-bass-angler/|archive-date=2016-04-27|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>Events-Major League Fishing https://majorleaguefishing.com/events/bass-pro-tour/</ref>

Professional bass anglers are not able to simply sign up for these professional circuits.  The angler must compete and win local and smaller events in order create a reputation.  Many professional bass anglers also get company sponsorships.  These sponsorships help fund the expenses of being a bass angler.  In turn the angler is also promoting the company that they are sponsored by. A relatively new and popular technique for many fledgling pro anglers is to document and record their fishing adventures, and post them online in order to gain a following and attract even more sponsors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldfishingnetwork.com/bassmaster-classic/post/how-to-become-a-pro-and-fish-in-the-bassmaster-classic|title=Fishing Central How To Become A Pro And Fish In The Bassmaster Classic – World Fishing Network|last=Network|first=World Fishing|date=2012-02-21|website=World Fishing Network|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601153747/http://www.worldfishingnetwork.com/bassmaster-classic/post/how-to-become-a-pro-and-fish-in-the-bassmaster-classic|archive-date=2016-06-01|url-status=dead}}</ref> Being a professional bass angler is a full-time job.  When the angler is not fishing, it is essential for them to attend public seminars and give presentations.  It is the anglers job to market himself for the sponsors to become a more well known company.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/be_a_pro.html|title=So You Want To Be A Bass Pro? {{!}} The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide LLC|last=Guide|first=The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource|website=www.bassresource.com|date=2 May 2003 |access-date=2016-04-28}}</ref>

Some of the most famous names in professional bass angling include [[Ray Scott (angler)|Ray Scott]], [[Kevin VanDam]], [[Scott Miller (angler)|Scott Martin]], Bill Dance, Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston, Rick Clunn and [[Michael Iaconelli|Mike Iaconelli]].  Ray Scott is the founder of Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, otherwise known as BASS.  Ray Scott started BASS in 1967 and has paved the way for professional circuits by starting the BASS Tournament Trail.  Kevin VanDam is a professional competition angler who has won the BASSMASTER Classic four times. He also gained great fame by being named Angler of the Year in 1992.  Mike Iaconelli is a professional competition angler in the BASS Elite Series, who has made a name for himself by winning BASSMASTER Classic and the Toyota Elite Series AOY.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wideopenspaces.com/20-famous-bass-anglers-time-2/|title=20 Most Famous Bass Anglers of All Time – Wide Open Spaces|date=2014-10-12|website=Wide Open Spaces|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-28}}</ref>

Professional bass angling salaries fluctuate greatly depending on how marketable the angler is, in 2006 Kevin VanDam made $500,000 from his sponsors while Mike Iaconelli made $370,000.  This does not include the prize money from winning competitions.  Although there are some professionals that earn this much money, it is not the case for all of them.  Gene Ellison the executive director of the Professional Anglers Association is quoted saying, "more than half of the guys out here this weekend are going broke", during the BASSMASTER Classic of 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bassmaster.com/news/show-me-money|title=Show me the Money|website=Bassmaster|date=6 March 2007|access-date=2016-04-28}}</ref>

In recent years the sport has not only reached out to men but to women as well.  There is a large following of women bass fishing who are trying to become professional and have their own women circuit.  The Lady Bass Anglers Association was started for that purpose.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ladybassanglers.com/our-team/mission-statement.html|title=Mission Statement for the Lady Bass Anglers Association|website=www.ladybassanglers.com|access-date=2016-05-05}}</ref>