Entry 345-1
If You Want to Be a Pro Fisherman, Become a Guide Like James Niggemeyer
Editor’s Note: Thirty-eight-year old James Niggemeyer of Van, Texas, fished in his second Bassmaster Classic February 19-21, 2010, at Lay Lake in Birmingham, Alabama. He made the cut to fish on the final day of competition and finished the tournament in 18th position.
For many years, Niggemeyer has been a fishing guide on Texas’ famous Lake Fork, which is known for historically producing large numbers of big, 10-pound-plus bass. This week, Niggemeyer will tell us how being a bass-fishing guide has helped him become a professional fisherman and a member of Strike King’s national and professional-fishing teams.
Part 1: How to Get Along With People
Question: James, what have you learned from being a professional-fishing guide that has helped you become a professional fisherman?
Niggemeyer: As a guide, I get to see and meet, as well as fish with, many different people from all over the country. When I’m guiding, I can learn different techniques of finding and catching bass from my clients. Some of the people I guide have shown me tactics for catching bass I’ve never thought of using. So, as well as teaching them how, when and where to catch bass on Lake Fork where I guide, my clients have taught me techniques they’ve learned from the areas where they’ve fished.
I’ve guided a lot of vacationing fishermen who have high-skill levels in bass fishing but aren’t from Texas and have never been to Lake Fork before. But they want to go fishing and catch bass immediately. So, I have to find bass and then show them how to catch the bass quickly. The pressure of having to locate bass quickly and not only catch them but teach others how to catch them has made me a better fisherman.
A guide experiences pressure to perform every day as a top-level bass fisherman. That’s the same pressure we feel when we’re tournament fishing. Therefore, the sooner you get accustomed to the pressure and learn how to deal with it, the better angler you’ll become.
Contents:
- Part 1: How to Get Along With People
- Part 2: How to Deal with Weather and Water Conditions
- Part 3: Moving Up the Ladder
- Part 4: From Fishing Guide to Sponsored National Pro
- Part 5: Now That You've Arrived
