The Path by Sean Ostruszka

how to be a pro angler on the tournament circuit

Spring 2020

®

PATH?

stem” for the Bass Pro Tour

Yet, for former FLW Tour and now current Pro Circuit anglers like Nick LeBrun , the opportunity to fish a high-level tour with the chance to qualify for a no-entry-fee BPT is simply too much to pass up.

“I’m excited about it,” says LeBrun. “I think the MLF leadership is trying to take the sport to the next level.”

A big part of that is exposure, as LeBrun said a number of times during the 2019 FLW Tour season he’d be at a gas station and have locals see his wrapped boat and ask why he was there.

“They had no clue we were having a tournament there,” says LeBrun. “It wasn’t even on their radars. Notoriety is not for me. I just want a chance to make a living for my family, but media coverage and exposure is a big part of that.

“The Bass Pro Tour certainly has that. Now, I wish it was a five-fish-limit format, but the exposure and no entry fees are things I like a lot, as it will help me provide for my family.”

Of course, in a twist of irony, in order to qualify for a tour with no entry fees, an angler will have to spend $40K in entry fees to fish the Pro Circuit. That is a major hurdle for many anglers.

Nick LeBrun

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