Pros And Their Sponsors

[ChicagoEd]

I don't have an issue with them using other stuff at all.  I would use whatever it took to win as well.  What I do have a problem with is the lie. 

 

I don't think anyone limits themselves to one brand either because of what the pros do.  When they say they're using a SK square bill and you go out and buy 50 of them, then realize they wacked them on a LC square bill...that's kind of messed up!

I completely agree with you. They should use whatever catches fish. Tournament success is what it's all about for the pros so by all means use everything at your disposal. But don't dupe me by attributing your success to lure x because its your sponsor when you really caught on lure y. Dummies like me will go out and buy lure x because the pro proved it works. Even worse, I'll go out and by the entire set of colors and sizes to feed my tackle fetish. I have no problems with pros doing commercials and endorsing products. But c'mon, keep it honest when you're actually on the water with a lure sticking out the basshole.

[CDMeyer]

I can honestly say I have never seen a pro use one bait but are sponsored by a different company...  All I know is that if I was sponsored by Rapala I wouldn't be using a Strike King KVD Crank Bait!  I'd only use Rapala.  These pros on the pay role for some of there sponsors and I would say most pros have the pride to be loyal to there sponsors.  But I still don't have a problem with someone using one bait but saying they used another because of sponsor obligations.  We are forgetting that there is a business side to the game, if these pros don't cash checks some don't get paid (others get salaries from sponsors
regardless) but even if they don't place they may not get sighed back on.  So I would do what it takes to WIN.

[SENKOSAM]

 

Being deceitful, lieing passing off a fish as being caught on a different lure should not be allowed or tolerated. Man-up own-up to the truth if the fish wasnt caught on your sponsors product Ill respect a person more for the truth.

If a "pro" lies and says the 8#'er was caught on a senko when it was actully caught with an ocho what else will that "pro" lie about or has lied about. I cant believe people would find it acceptable.

 

A person's credibility and integrity are sacrificed when that happens and almost nothing they say or that is printed about their opinions or reasons for anything can be accepted at face value. The fact remains that there are more ways to catch fish than women have shoe in their closets.

 

Even if a pro uses many different brand lures because he has confidence in their uses for specific situations, unfortunately his hands are tied by a contract. It's not like a celebrity selling a car or perfume in TV ads - you know they are there as attention getters and not because the really own or use those products. Pro anglers are a different story.  When they push something that they claim won a tournament and it's obvious what was on their line, a red flag goes up. If a pro pushes a lure that isn't nearly as versatile as he says it is (ie Helicopter Lure), you tend to forget what made them famous and see them as sad examples of those that rely on a past image to make a few bucks. Many a retired sports figure was forced to endorse products just to make ends meet.

 

MegaStink really did his homework !!