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Gary Parsons on Being a Pro Walleye Angler Today

 Nov 27th, 2011 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Nov 27th, 2011 at 12:00 AM

This is the second in the series of stories dealing with pro walleye fishing through the eyes of Gary Parsons.  Part One dealt with walleye circuits and tournaments.  Today, Gary discusses what it takes to become and make a living as a full-time fishing pro.

    Many years ago, he gave up a lucrative dentistry practice and stepped into the pro fishing ranks full-time.  He quickly learned it takes more than a good stick to earn sponsorship dollars from the fishing and marine industries.  His story of perseverance for nearly 30 years deserves a nod of admiration and a sincere dose of appreciation for hard work.

	Nitro/Mercury Pro Gary Parsons

    Gary was inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Angler.

    He has been Angler of the Year three times when fishing the Professional Walleye Trail; won the Team of the Year title on the Masters Walleye Circuit when it was the Manufacturer’s Walleye Council; and earned North American Walleye Association Angler of the Year honors.

    He hosts The Next Bite TV show and segments for many other TV shows.

    His website receives 30,000 unique visitors per month.

    He has 11 major walleye tournament wins.

    He has been featured in more than 900 magazine articles.

    He started fishing with his dad, a consummate outdoorsman and teacher.

    His son Chase is a full-time walleye angler and major tournament winner.

    His sponsors have supported him for the nearly 30 years he’s been in the business: Mercury Outboards, Nitro and Tracker Boats, Bass Pro Shops, MotorGuide, Berkley lines and hard baits, AMSOIL, Lowrance, Mustad, Off Shore tackle, Smooth Moves suspension seat mounts, FinTech, Fishouflage, Gemini Sport Marketing, Oakley, AIM and Next Bite Media.  He is proud of the sponsorship and support of wife Mary.

    There are touring pros today who are scraping out a living full-time.  “Those who are thinking about becoming full-timers at this game need to know it’s very tough out there, but not impossible,” he said.  “This is a tough sport, and it’s not any easier today than a couple decades ago.”

    Gary was unsure if the sport of competitive walleye fishing has matured enough to support many full-time anglers.  “The guys with full-time jobs who do this as a hobby will always find some dollars and places to fish, even though earning a living from fishing will remain a distant dream,” he observed. 

    Early in his career, Gary’s attitude was that if he did well on the water that sponsors would fly to him.  “That didn’t happen then, and won’t today,” he emphasized.  “It was as difficult to convince the industry to pay someone north of the Mason-Dixon Line to fish as it is now.” 

    The benefit as he learned many years ago was that in discussing duties, responsibilities and money with potential sponsors was that a full-time pro angler could devote 365 days per year promoting and working.  “They liked that, and even as an independent contractor, they viewed me as an employee,” he said.  They wanted to know what he knew and what innovations were being developed on the walleye tours (and in his boat) immediately.

    “Back then, the companies folded me in as a component of their R & D team.  That has come full circle from the mid-1980’s, and that’s again a big part of what the full-timers are doing and expected to do,” he said.  “It will take continued hard-work on the part of pros and a slight attitude adjustment by some companies to look at things differently as they relate to marketing via full-timers, and seems to be moving in the right direction, but slowly.”

    A key to his success has been long-term relationships and the strong backing of two stalwart companies, Mercury Marine and Bass Pro Shops.  “It’s imperative that prospective full-timers have a solid boat and outboard sponsor.  That’s number one,” Gary said.  He answered a question which caused this author to reflect back on the “good old days.”

    When asked what the most important thing to ever happen to him in the pro fishing ranks, Gary was quick to respond.  “Remember way early in my career, I called you one day when you were in the Mercury PR department, and said that if any boat company from down south wanted to expand north and needed advice, expertise and promoters to call me?” 

    He continued, “In about a week you called with a contact at Skeeter boats.  I called, sold myself, met Ken Burroughs, and the rest is history.  When he moved to become president of Tracker boats, I followed.  That has been a great relationship, and one I cherish immensely.”

    The other ingredients included a branching out from just being a tournament fisherman and promoter.  “If we wouldn’t have gone into multi-media with a credible website, a TV show (The Next Bite), high-tech seminars, expensive still and video cameras and many other innovative promotions, and other beneficial ‘extras’ for our sponsors, we might not be here today,” he said of the company he owns with brother-in-law Keith Kavajecz and Pete Mania.

    The formula for success is what it has always been.  Gary said, “Use the tours as a credibility-maker and a college education.  Take those lessons and tell your story.  Make friends in the media and along the way.  I did this with Al and Ron Lindner, and brought them cutting-edge information which made the pages of In-Fisherman, the most influential fishing magazine.  Oh, and remember to work hard every day!”

    Being a full-time pro walleye angler is not out of the realm of possibilities.  “My son Chase is doing it right now, and even though I helped with a few doors, he’s made a case for himself and is living the dream as a young full-time pro today,” Gary said proudly.

    Gary Parsons’ office is 715-264-3017.  Email is [email protected].