CaptTodd

No Chris, I am not wrong. If you look at his question he is looking at getting into the industry himself not looking for sponsors. If he was looking for sponsors then yes your comment was right on the button. But to get an interview or even find a sales opening in this industry it is difficult.

I live in Lakeland which is between Orlando and Tampa and I can tell you that there are endless bass fishing opportunities around! Traffic can be bad but it is all about where you live and how you travel. Not only do we have access to some of the best bass fishing in the world but the salwater end isn't too shabby either. Having the best of both worlds fishing all year long, well you can't beat that. I travel everyday on I-4 and I-75 with a boat and very rarely do i get stuck in traffic. I wouldn't live anywhere else unless it was more tropical! ;D

There are a ton of "freshwater" lures that are being used in saltwater for snook, trout and redfish. Snook are just like bass but much more powerful. Bass fishing when a "new" lure comes out it is the "hot" thing to do saltwater is not like that to an extent. I just went bass fishing last week and I can say this, if the bite is off on bass you are screwed, if the bite is off on snook there are a TON of fish that you can target. Fresh and Saltwater are totally different and I for one can say that I missed freshwater fishing to an extent but nothing replaces saltwater fishing. I bet some of the people that have argued their facts on this post have not saltwater fished with someone that knows what is going on. There is more of a science to saltwater fishing than freshwater, not much but there is! I know because I have done both for many years. I have many out of state fishermen on my boat and once they hook a saltwater fish they can not believe the difference in the fight, the look and the techniques to catch these fish. Once again this is JMO! ;D Capt. Todd

Yes, why did he take the bass out and not have a fiberglass replica made. That means there are 2 bass over 10#'s taken from that lake that could have reproduced other large bass. How hard is it to take measurements of the fish and throw it back ESPECIALLY when you have a camera on the boat! Capt. Todd

I live in North Lakeland and it was in the teens because I live out in the middle of nowhere. Dj where are you from in Polk County! Yeah we thought about going out and doing some saltwater fishing today but called it. It willhave to wait for next week. I have seminars ALL WEEKEND LONG! Capt Todd

Well I had the chance to do some bass fishing yesterday just after a huge front came through. I knew conditions would be tough but we managed to catch a few 2-3 pound fish with some smaller ones mixed in. We were working brush piles in 13 to 16 foot of water and the retrieve was brutually SLOW. We were using carolina rigs and texas rigged plastic worms june bug color with paddle tails. We would literally be hung on a tree and jiggle the bait until a bass would hit. As the day got later it turned colder and the fish really started turning off. All in all it was a good day considering the conditions. We got enough film for Fishing Simplified and we didn't have to film more than one day thank god because it has just gotten colder. I am hoping by next week we can get out again and do some more bass fishing! Capt. Todd

Well I can say this after having my first truck wrapped and had it on for about a year, more people knew me by my truck than anything else. My new truck is in the design stages. It definetly works. The company that is doing it saw tremendous benefits from the first one and that is why they are doing the second one too! It does work but it has to be "eye catching".

Yep too long, but you have a great opportunity because you are in school for marketing. Come across and let them know what you can do for their company! It is all about them! TRUST ME! ;D

Here is what I have found, those positions are very hard to come by because nobody ever leaves and if they do it is rare! I looked into a while ago. Best thing to do is try to find a startup company and grow with them through the industry. You almost have to have an "in" with someone at the big companies!

Hoytman, perfect post. Companies are looking for guys that have good reputations. There are some guys that are sponsored by certain boat companies on the saltwater end here in Florida and alot of people will not buy that brand solely because of the guy that endorses it!

Welcome Fellow Floridian!!!!!

That is the way most of the sponsorships work. Pay for some of the things and get some of the things for free. You have to kind of prove yourself before they will consider giving you anything for free. Unfortunate but that is the way things are.

Thanks! ;D

I have been guiding for 5 years in Tampa Florida. Grew up and still live in Lakeland, Fl (Central Florida). I have been fishing almost all of my life and I am getting back into bass fishing again. Co-Host in an internet tv show that debuts on Feb 4th called Fishing Simplified and Hosted previous show Sling N' Bait Tv. Have not bass fished in about 5.5 years since I caught my biggest bass 10.25#'s. But I am getting back into it! Looking forward to this board! Capt. Todd

Very good question. Most of the time fishermen looking for sponsors do not take that into consideration. Alot of companies especially in the fishing industry are bombarded with guys looking for sponsorships. I have been on the saltwater side of things for the last 5 years guiding and doing tv and internet shows. When I am looking for sponsors the first thing is I have to believe in the product. I can not endorse something I do not believe in. The biggest thing that companies are looking for is to get product exposure without having to expend alot of money to do it. I am sponsored by a boat company that gives me a free boat but in return I have sold alot of boats in a little over a year and their ROI has been very good and I am also sponsored by a graphics company that wraps my truck and their ROI has been very good. I do alot of seminars, commercials, dvds, boat shows and much more. Again the biggest thing companies are looking for is someone that is knowledgable and presentable to market their product or service. Just because someone is a good fishermen does not mean they will be able to sell product. You have to be presentable and knowledgable when talking about the products you endorse.