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Robert Blosser Quickly Becoming a Top Walleye Pro

 Oct 20th, 2010 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Oct 20th, 2010 at 12:00 AM

Not just a guy from Poynette, Wisconsin anymore, Robert Blosser now has an Angler of the Year title behind his name.  In just seven years of competitive walleye fishing, he has won a chunk of money, earned the tough AIM 2010 Angler of the Year title, won an AIM tournament (Green Bay), collected $65,000 for a second at the 2008 FLW Championship, and is meeting expectations established for his “fishing” business plan. 

How did it occur so quickly?  “I have always been competitive to the core with high school sports a big part of my life.  An injury and a knee replacement my senior year killed sports,” he said.  That allowed more time in the woods and on the water.  His grandfather worked with the Wisconsin DNR in the northern hatcheries.  His dad has competed on the FLW bass tour for several years as a pro angler.  “We’re an outdoor oriented family,” Robert said.

In telling the story of his rise in the walleye ranks, Robert recalled when the Grand National Walleye Championship was scheduled on Lake Wisconsin.  A couple of teams asked him for help.  He took them out, showed some spots and what he knew, and they finished first and second.  In 2004, he fished that circuit and was the Wisconsin team of the year, and finished second at the year-end Championship.  Second place finishes at Championships have followed him ever since.

In 2005, he added a few MWC events to get a taste of better competition, which resulted in a third place team of the year finish in the 2006 MWC central division.  He jumped to the FLW in 2007, just missing the Championship field.  That year he was second at the MWC Lake Erie Championship.  Another second at the FLW Championship in 2008 paid $65,000.  The 2009 season produced a top finish of 11th.

	Robert Blosser 2010 AIM JJ Keller Angler of the Year

This season, he was in the top 10 in every AIM qualifier, won the Green Bay tournament, won Angler of the Year, was second at the Championship, and pocketed about $60,000.  The recent successes caused Robert to reflect on why he entered the pro walleye game at this point in his career.  “I got into this sport for three major reasons,” he said.  “First, I did not do it to make a living; second, I did it to prove to myself where I stack up; and mainly to fish for my favorite fish – walleyes.”

He expressed his love for the sport because walleye fishing forces a person to know and use numerous tactics, switch and change plans when things don’t produce, and expects new and fresh methods to crop up at any time.  “I may have a slight case of ADD, and can only sit in the woods so long,” he said.

At 32, he said his career in Poynette (Robert and his wife run Midwest Cremation Services of Wisconsin, a pet cremation facility), allows him time to pursue his fishing dream.  But, he didn’t just strike out with a dream.  He put a business plan on paper.  “It was simple,” he said, “I wrote that I wanted to make a profit or at least break even in five years or I’d be done.”  He was very happy that the successes and money in the past few years have allowed him to extend his stay in the “game.”

Interestingly, Robert said a pro fisherman’s business plan wouldn’t cause any bankers he knew to finance the venture.  He said the road is a definite adventure.  Each year comes with a new set of rules and the economic stakes can be game-changing. 

In discussions with current sponsors, he said all have been favorably impressed, and he expects at least one meaningful contract to appear soon.  Currently, his sponsors are Bushnell Ford, Off-Shore, Pro Mariner, Ranger boats and Yamaha outboards. 

“I hope my great year opens doors.  I know the circuits and individuals are in a survival mode right now, and my immediate goals are to work closely with local businesses,” he said.  “The endemic companies still support their loyal veterans, and it’s tough for new blood to get in the door.”  He said he understands this business model, and will keep knocking on these doors, but will devote most of his efforts in and around Poynette, a southern Wisconsin community of 2,300 residents. 

Each potential local sponsor is a “Baseline-Plus” arrangement.  He lists the basics including appearances, Facebook and Twitter “plugs,” fishing trips, etc., then adds PR efforts, shows, and services the prospective sponsor requests.

In 2011, Robert intends to fish the entire AIM and FLW tours, and will add a few MWC events.  He said, “I will fish the team tournaments with my dad, and show him why I like to fish for ‘smart’ fish instead of ‘green’ fish.”

Contact Robert at [email protected].  His phone is 608-332-1002, and his website is robertblosser.com.