CHARLES COUNTY, Md. – Prior to the start of the MLF Bass Pro Tour event on the Potomac River, four BPT pros took time out of their schedules to meet with local fans and discuss a topic not often covered in the fishing world – money.
Hosted in partnership with the Jamaur Law Foundation, an organization dedicated to educating students and their parents on financial literacy, the event took place Wednesday afternoon at the Charles County Public Library–Waldorf West Branch and brought together a small but enthusiastic crowd for an engaging hour-long discussion on financial literacy and the realities of chasing professional fishing dreams.
BPT anglers Matt Becker, Mark Daniels Jr., Britt Myers and Dean Rojas formed the featured panel, with foundation founder Jamaur Law serving as moderator. The discussion focused on everything from early career expenses and travel costs to building credit, budgeting for tournaments and the emotional highs of earning that first sponsor check.
Daniels drew laughs from the audience as he recalled the moment he realized just how important credit was, shortly after trying to buy his first truck. “I had no idea what a credit score really meant,” Daniels said. “I can tell you – it didn’t me take long to learn.”
The anglers all emphasized that the road to the top isn’t easy, and financial discipline plays a major role in sustaining a career in professional fishing. For fans in attendance, the personal stories helped demystify the sport and made the anglers’ success feel even more real.
Law, who launched his namesake foundation to promote financial education to students and the local community, said working with the BPT pros was a milestone moment. “Getting to host these guys – this feels like I made it,” he told the audience. “It means so much to see this type of conversation happening in our community.”
