Only fish?

When professional poker players talk about players that are not professionals, they use words like fish and rec in a demeaning fashion. In my opinion, this is kind of arrogant. Ill use my own experiences as an example, as it is the closest I can get to describing what im talking about. 

I have a dayjob that pays well, combined with other finanical factors I am able to live a comfortable life.  Im not a poker professional, still, ive been playing alot over an extensive period of time, logging plenty hours both live and online over the last 7-8 years. Ive done well. In the beginning I struggled to translate my live game to online, but after winning live/ losing online a couple of years I turned it around in the www arena as well and made alot of $. 

The last couple of years ive spent alot of time studying theory/strategy with a goal of improving as a poker player and as a human being (tilt frequency etc). I can most def say that I am fundamentally comfortable sitting at a 400plo table and I would expect to make a profit most sessions. Live, I play higher stakes comfortably. It has nothing to do with the fact that I can afford it, I feel like im good enough to play in tough fields. 

So, in the world of the pokerz: Is it not possible for some sort of reC player that uses loads of time practicing to be as skilled at the game as a pro with better BR management? Well, I certainly believe it is. So it kind of stings when my kind is labeled as targets as a whole, im sure there are others like me, that have talent and are winning players, even though theyre not professionals. 

Added note, OBV: I agree that alot of rec players who dont put in the time and just join a game is a fish and a target, but I feel there is a line to be drawn in labeling all rec players as bad.