Raymond de Leur Jr. A.S.

Yeah, it is a bit unfortunate but every industry has that. I know a person who works for Wal-Mart and because of the amount of ($$$) lost to theft prices go up to cover theft losses. So, the consumer gets punished. Now, as far as sponsorship, we the consumer pays to cover the full sponsorship for the pros. When a company does a full (or money) sponsorship, they are expecting an average of 10 times what they are spending in return from their investment from sales/service. So if they spend 500 on a persons' entry fees, they are anticipating 5000 in revenue. Every company is always concerned with ROI (return on investment). Equipment, unit cost, accounts receivable, accounts payable, depreciation...it all impacts the "bottom line" for a business.

Akron area. That's cool. I lived in Westlake and East Cleveland...use to fish Lake Erie in a flat bottom cargo canoe and 5hp gas motor with my dad..LOL

Thanks. Bass-Brat Where in NE Ohio? I used to live up around Cleveland

Tin, thanks for clarifying that. I do understand what you are saying. The problem there, is that in many cases, now almost everything goes through distributors. Which also means that the cost to manufacturer and export now also has another up-charge so the distributor can make some money. It is just a painful fact of business that everybody along the distribution line (Manufacturer to the Retailer) has a piece of the pie. If companies just gave away stuff at cost they would go out of business. For example, I can get a certain computer component for a customer at $50.00 but I will charge him 79.00. Occasionally I have sales and if I didn't charge what I did, I would have no room to discount the item for a sale let alone stay in business. There are certain items that have higher markups or additional fees. Sporting goods are one of those items. Personally I do not mind paying a little more than cost since I know a portion of the taxes go to the states parks, lakes, etc.

Hello and here is about me. I am a U.S Navy veteran and was born and raised in Wyoming. I have lived in several states across the country and fished in them as well. I am known for using techniques not general viewed as species appropriate and making them work. I am college educated and an entrepreneur. Father of 3 boys, one of which is a special needs child. Avid outdoors man and also known for carrying trash bags to pick up litter when I go out fishing or camping. Have experience in various fields to include retail, business management and ownership, accounting, advertising, transportation, asset management, weapons systems, security, electronics, computers, and gaming. Over the years I have fished for Trout (Rainbow, Lake, Brown, Cutt-throat, Steelhead), Bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth, Kentucky), Catfish, Carp, Eel, Striper, Saugeye, and Walleye. I have fished in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Texas, New York, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Illinois, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, and Ohio. I love to fish and fish to live. As a kid we used to fish for meat until deer season and then antelope, deer and elk were meet until the water thawed so we could fish again. I enjoy fishing reaction baits especially lipless cranks. I have used a variety of manufacturers equipment. I really like my new Esox rods the best though. I love how I can feel everything under the water with them. I was not really a fan of bait-cast reels until I got to use a Quantum Energy PT Burner. I was hooked. I now use Quantum reels exclusively. I have small hands and they fit perfectly. I am establishing a reputation in the Oklahoma tournaments I fish as being a zinger or rocket with my casting. I am commonly getting a hard time about catching trees 30 feet in the air.. Which is fine. It's all in good fun. I believe that we need to teach the youth of today's to be conservationists otherwise or "play areas" will vanish. In addition, us as anglers are a dying breed and it is our responsibility to teach today's youth to be tomorrows mentors.

OK, so if we use your implied logic here, then for a company to be a sponsor they must "pay for" all of something, not a portion. Well, if that is the case I want the overages from the Weekend Series tournaments...LOL...Since according to your logic, each sponsor would have to pay for it ALL and not a portion of it Ok, so If I had a company were I paid 60% of retail, in your opinion that is not a sponsorship? Well, in my opinion, I saved 40% per item and if I buy 3 items than basically I just bought 1 and a portion of the second item and got one for free. Those add up, no matter how you slice it. Example: Say you can get a reel for $100 but retail is 199.95. In that case you saved 99.95 and if you bought a second than your cost would have been 200 and saved 199.90. So already you have saved enough to get almost 2 more of that item. In addition, if that is an ongoing arrangement with a company and all they ask for is that I mention them and promote their product (or service), than they are a sponsor in my opinion. Sure, if on the lower end of things this is rather small and I can certainly see where that can be viewed as discount. However when you order in bulk or bigger ticket items those "discounts" as you say, add up and ultimately allow the angler more buying power. Not only helping the angler, but the company with the agreement and other companies that receive a portion (if any) of the money saved spent on other purchases. I believe you are misunderstanding what I am saying. Remember that the bottom line in business is the almighty dollar. You are comparing apples and oranges. A company today just does not have the financial security to "comp" every angler to come along. Many still want to assist the upcoming angler in some way, as you never know who the next KVD, RC, Ike, etc is going to be. So, they have levels of sponsorship. This type of arrangement is not only in angling. I am a competitive gamer and have been sponsored by companies before. I do say sponsored because we had a legally binding agreement. They paid a portion of the server dues, tournament entry fees, etc and we agree to advertise their company on our website, server, etc. Now, was this a full comp sponsorship? No, but it was a sponsorship. Every company wants to grow and gain market share. If they only advertise via word of mouth it will take a very very long time. So they make small agreements with other companies, organizations, and individuals in exchange for advertising. One other note that should be considered is that for the vast majority of anglers, sponsorship is not a a "Pro" level. It is at a "Promotional" level. So, there is a difference in Pro, Pro Staff, Field Staff sponsorships. As a general rule from what I have found Field Staff is more what you were implying about Wal-Mart. Pro Staff in many instances have the ability to earn money as do Pro sponsorships. Though Pro Staff are not guaranteed money, just the opportunity to earn it.

You can also look here for clubs in your state: http://www.bassresource.com/bassfish/bass_fishing_clubs.html

Rip em out. This is typically when you will get the hit.

When I trolled in Wyoming here is what we used: Penn Level Wind Reel (9m or 209m) Med or Med/Hvy 6' - 8" trolling rod (Eagle Claw Star Fire or Shakespeare Ugly Stick Big Water) Cabela's Lead Core line (it has color indicators to indicate 10 yard intervals..also available lead free) available in 12-45# test Cowbells/Pop Gear/etc. (Kokanee Trolls or Luhr Jensen Lake Trolls) Worm Harness's Typically for Trout or Kokanee Salmon you do not want to go above 3 MPH. You can actually rip the hook right through their jaws if you go to fast or set the hook hard. Typically with trolling you won't need to set it at all. The constant pull of the boat generally does it for you. Hope that helps. NOTE: The pull from the above mentioned Cowbells/Pop Gear/etc is pretty wild...think 12-18ft deep diving crank bait x5 in addition to the speed and/or fish. Also, pay close attention cause when you troll the fish will go nuts and run, dive, jump, etc. We just had a "fish on" system. Everyone reeled in while the angler with the fish on slowly brought it in. Otherwise....say hello to tangle from hell.

I was raised in the Rocky Mountains...so I fish til it freezes and then switch up and fish while it is frozen. Just remember, different species like different weather. I went fishing one time in OK when it was 72 degrees and knew a cold front was coming with 40-60 Mph winds. Cold front was not a joke either..it went from 72 to 35 in less than 10 minutes. But since I knew it was going to do it (well anticipated it would be worse than expected) I already had the cold weather gear and I had a blast. Being born and raised in the Rocky Mountain Region taught me several things but the most important was: Better safe than sorry. I always keep water and a blanket in the truck. When I go out, I plan for it to be bad. It is a lot easier to take it off than need it and realize you left it sitting on the couch.

Not necessarily. You are still sponsored to an extent. Sponsorship can take many forms. It can be discounted product, free product, money, parts, free embroidery, etc. The unspoken agreement in most cases is that they are going to give you a substantial discount on their products and you are to be "Promotional Staff". The logic here, is that you have to know the product offerings of the company and use them. With the ever increasing costs of sporting goods (don't forget there is a % fee included by law), a product level Sponsorship (Pro Staff or Field Staff position) can help the beginning or aspiring angler get more quality products. One great example is the "Royal Purple Angler of the Year" program. Now, this isn't a sponsorship, but a contingency program. However, to be eligible you have to purchase a certain amount of their product and register for the program. They old adage of "you have to pay to play" fits angling and sponsorship. I commend anyone for trying to be the next KVD or Rick ZClunn, etc. But remember that they didn't get paid to fish when they started either. In today's economy, many companies do not have the budgets to be a financial sponsor, but can manage to do some sort of a variant of a product sponsorship. According to Merriam-Webster a sponsor is: a person or an organization that pays for or plans and carries out a project or activity; especially : one that pays the cost of a radio or television program usually in return for advertising time during its course If we use the literal definition, than even an offer of discount merchandise/services can constitute sponsorship. Companies still have to account for the difference in prices so in essence they are paying for it still. Many of my Product Sponsors have a line on my bill with something to the effect of: Sponsorship Merchandise.... Just some things to think about.

I would recommend you try several different brands, especially since you are not being paid to fish only one. Each brand/lure will have its own action, noise, and frequency. I have been on bites before and tried each brand with the same color and find only one that produces. I personally recommend Yo-Zuri and XCaliber but they are expensive. A better one as far as cost is concerned is the Bill Lewis Rat-L-Traps. You can get those at any Wal-Mart, Bass Pro Shops, etc. Also, I always change out the hooks. Except on the XCalibers. They use the Tx3 hooks with VMC® InLine Technology and are awesome. I can't tell you how many times I have caught myself by grazing one of them.

I would have to agree and disagree. Let me explain. I have been fishing for over 20 years. However, I only started Bass fishing and Bass tournaments less than a year ago. In addition, I do not have a boat either. However, I do have some sponsors. smallmouthbass, there is a few things you have to remember. Most companies have people who buy clothing, patches and stickers and as such they are getting publicity and advertising. If you want to get sponsors you need to stand out and offer them something that they are not getting elsewhere. Alternatively, there are companies who have programs where you are pro staff or field staff and your reward is product for helping them. Secret Weapon Lures, Tightlines, and others are great examples. They require you to purchase a certain amount of their product and help introduce them to other people and markets. In exchange they give you a discount on their products. If you really want to know more, imagine that you are the owner of the company you want to be sponsored by. What would you want from someone you sponsored? What can they do for you and your company? Just some food for thought/

I have used many different brands. Personally I like Mustad Triple Grips for my hardbaits or TX3's. Those TX3 are super sharp. Be careful around them because they will hook everything!!

I have a good supply of Yo-Zuri Lipless, Rat-L-Traps, Xcalibers, and Game Vibes. Each have the pros and cons. On one of the lakes near me, the lipless baits are a sure fire way and getting some fish in mid winter. In terms of sound/loudness, I feel that the Yo-Zuri and Xcalibers are tied with Rat-L-Traps pretty close.

Also known as the frequency of the lure

Blue Water Optics from what I hear as well. I had some Del Mars and the were great but didn't work for me..they kept fogging up. Revo makes some good ones too, but they are expensive. There is also Wiley X and Solar Bat just to mention a few.