Pro Influence

[JbroBass]

4 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

I don't believe a single pro has ever influenced my fishing at all, but several average dudes on YouTube have influenced me to try things, as has this forum. Pro fishing is not exactly the same thing most of do anyways. The thought process is very different.

 

Yes, I was out of fishing for a long time and am currently gearing up for a return next spring, I've purchased lots of gear and baits based on YouTube videos. (Not necessarily the exact gear or exact baits, but gear that fits a certain niche and function and baits that similar if not exactly the same, such as flukes but perhaps not the same brand as the video producer.)

[ironbjorn]

16 minutes ago, throttleplate said:

i am a budget on sale type of shopper when its comes to rods and reels. I dont care what brand or who used it on tv. Only care if it works for me.

I bought some baits mentioned on this site like the superfluke which boosted my catch rate in sept, oct.

I always passed over them in the stores and even seeing it on youtube videos i didnt pay attention telling myself i have enough baits, meh on the fluke.

Then one night i come across a thread on bass resource about superflukes which i always passed over before. But at the time i had read all i wanted to on BR so i clicked on it and darned if i didnt go out and buy me some and away i went slamming smallies and Lm in sept,oct.

A fluke is as classic as a curly tail worm or a Senko style bait. Glad you tried them.

[PhishLI]

6 hours ago, Glenn said:

I doubt you'll find anyone that will admit a pro can influence their purchases.  But look at all the rods, reels, baits, and boating accessories that fly off the shelf whenever KVD mentions them,

KVD isn't just a pro. He's viewed more like a deity. He's in a different category. I guarantee non forum readers would admit to buying what he endorses in a heartbeat. I've witnessed it in person. I doubt a regular forum reader here would admit to buying or using a Favorite rod, but have you seen their pro staff? It's pretty deep. Some real hammers. If KVD got on their staff you know how that would go...sales through the roof, especially with non-forum readers. Recently an esteemed member here made a list of implements he'd prefer to use ranked in order above their rods. I believe one was a coat hanger or some such bull pie. Perhaps instances like that are the real reason forum readers are chilled out of admitting more than a few things.

[padon]

no but kind of.I wont buy a rod reel or bait simply because a pro uses it or endorses it. But i will listen to the type of rod or reel meaning length action gear ratio etc if it is a technique im not familiar with. I dont care about the brand i just care about the right kind of equipment for the technique. As far as lures if a pro uses a certain bait to win a big tournament or consistently do well, ill look into the bait. does it look like something that would work on my waters? does it look like something that will do something better or different than what im using in the same situation? if so i may give one a shot if its not crazy expensive. I do the same thing with people on this board. If several people give positive feedback on a bait, or if i ask about a certain piece of equipment i at least check it out and see if it meets my needs.I mean to me trying new baits once in a while is part of the fun.

[C5Longhorn]

YouTubers influence and move far more merchandise these days than most pros.  They have much larger audiences and have far more marketing reach than 95% of the pros out there.  

[Skunkmaster-k]

I agree. I’ve bought far more stuff because of Bass Resource than all the pros put together. Thanks Bass Resource 

[ironbjorn]

22 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

KVD isn't just a pro. He's viewed more like a deity. He's in a different category. I guarantee non forum readers would admit to buying what he endorses in a heartbeat. I've witnessed it in person. I doubt a regular forum reader here would admit to buying or using a Favorite rod, but have you seen their pro staff? It's pretty deep. Some real hammers. If KVD got on their staff you know how that would go...sales through the roof, especially with non-forum readers. Recently an esteemed member here made a list of implements he'd prefer to use ranked in order above their rods. I believe one was a coat hanger or some such bull pie. Perhaps instances like that are the real reason forum readers are chilled out of admitting more than a few things.

 

And I would use the coat hanger, though I might prefer the tire iron.

[Ratherbefishing75]

 I am a firm believer in researching a product before I purchase it   I wouldn’t just buy something because a pro was promoting it. Research and reviews are something I loot for a lot especially it the  item is a high dollar amount  and of course can I afford it lol  I know there are a lot of guys out there that feel the same way as I do.   Watching someone use a rod and real. Even a bait helps me make my  decision if I really want it   Before I Purchased my first bait caster I did a lot of research picking one up and holding it  and seeing how it works  but unfortunately I am still a guy and I like shinny new things. So the fair monkey does get the best of me when it is under 50$ 

[TnRiver46]

I definitely have been influenced by pros, although I can’t afford to use half of the stuff they throw. 
 

One thing I will never buy is 8 half worms for $5 (ned rig )

[Dan N]

I would say it has at least some influence, enough to make me check things out for myself. If I didn’t care for it, I would not not purchase just because a pro uses. 
As others have said, I would say you tube videos probably have more influence.

[Bluebasser86]

I've paid so little attention to professional fishing the last few years, I don't even know who is sponsored by who anymore except for a few really big names that are plastered all over everything they are sponsored by. 

[Happybeerbuzz]

I do not feel that pros have much influence over my fishing.  If it were not for Fantasy Fishing, I wouldn't even know who any current pros are beyond the Bill Dance-Jimmy Houston era with the exception of the ones that have a YouTube presence and taught me something after I got back into fishing in 2016.  Even with Fantasy Fishing, it is more like roulette for me than me making informed decisions about who I am picking each week.  I am just happy it breaks them down in A-E categories.  

[Zcoker]

Pros probably do not share what they are really using in tournaments. They probably only share those things that they are sponsored to use. I've often thought of it that way. I watch them, sure, and support their quest. I just don't run down to the local Dick's after watching them to buy up what I saw them trying to promote as the end all lure or fishing rod setup. 

[TnRiver46]

I want to use the storm largo shad that Jacob wheeler throws in several of his YouTube videos but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I got squirming Shads at cabelas instead because it was 15 pack for $4 or $5 instead of 6 pack for a similar price 

[WRB]

Before the late Aaron Martens was a Pro he got me and several others into Sunline Shooter FC from his contact in Floridia. 300 meter spool was $30 in 1990.

Tom

[Chris Catignani]

On 1/2/2022 at 8:17 AM, Mike L said:

...

Do you buy and use a specific rod, reel or bait based SOLELY on what a particular pro does? Any Pro?

...

No...but I do pay attention to how and where they fish them.

[Choporoz]

 

On 1/2/2022 at 10:17 AM, Mike L said:

There’s a thread currently being commented on about a pro switching rod sponsors. 
Some of the comments got me thinking so I thought I’d bring it up. 
 

Do you buy and use a specific rod, reel or bait based SOLELY on what a particular pro does? Any Pro?

 

I ask because a post here states that Chris Zaldain is no longer sponsored by MB and was seen using a specific Googan bait.
Does that or any pro changing product sponsors, which happens all the time, be the sole deciding factor in your purchase decisions?

 

Personally I’ve tried more products from comments made by members here, than what any pro does or doesn’t do. 
 

Really, how influenced are you by what they do?

 

Mike

 

Each time I read this post, I come down to answer.....but there's two very different questions that I feel like replying to...lol...."Solely" and "sole" as used above make it easy for me to say no.   I've always liked to think of myself as more impervious to any marketing than the average human.  However, I freely admit that if I watch a pro tearing them up for hours or days with something....in conditions that look like what I fish....well...I just might find myself buying a very specific lure in the subsequent days or weeks.  

 

   I will also admit that I have bought a lot of stuff after reading some of you guys talking it up.

 

   And just for the record.....in my big box of 'never gonna use that again' stuff, there is far more lures that I got after reading about it here than there are lures I watched some pro using.

[Team9nine]

4 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

And just for the record.....in my big box of 'never gonna use that again' stuff, there is far more lures that I got after reading about it here than there are lures I watched some pro using.

[SC53]

Rods, reels or line no. 
I have bought some lured based on pros performance on lakes I fish here in central Florida, specifically Kissimmee Chain, Harris Chain snd St Johns river. 
I do listen to what JT says as he fishes a lot of where I fish. Plus he’s a hoot. 

[GReb]

I bought a rod based on a pros advice once. I was trying to decide between 3 models and asked which he would buy. 
 

There have been many times where pros introduced a new bait to me that I didn’t know was on the market.  Not saying I bought them all but new product marketing is definitely a big part of their sponsorship agreement. 

[RichF]

There is just too much product out there, it's nice to have the pros tell you what's available.  I've never bought something solely because a certain pro endorses it, nor will I.  I see what everyone is hockin and if something looks cool to me, I buy it.  

 

I will admit though, that I will NOT buy certain things simply because of who endorses it or has their stamp on it. It's petty, I know, but there are just certain folks I refuse to give my money to.

[lunkerboss923]

For me, I was influenced more by reading forums and getting resourceful information. The general consensus lead me to a specific brand because there are so many threads about these particular rods. I was also influenced by YouTube and watching reviews on products. I'm not speaking across the board, but rare items like JDM and the like influenced me as well. Believe it or not, the Japanese fishermen drool over Zoom baits because they are so rare in Japan. The Zoom brand is our Megabass. The JDM Scorpion reels are Curados here in the states, but to me it's a cool item to have. There are some subtle differences, but the same technology. I also am influenced by appearances. I like 6th Sense hardbaits and I like Reaction Innovations, Zoom, Yum, Missile and Googan softbaits. I try stuff and if I catch consistently, then they remain a staple. I strike out a lot and it's probably the fisherman more than the lure. I've caught fish on Wal Mart frogs. 

 

I do think the pros have some effect, I mean look at KVD and his line. He probably makes twice as much on his KVD line than he does in tournaments, but you can't discount his track record. To the consumer, if KVD uses it, so will I. 

 

I just pick what I like and become a loyalist. I will never switch my rod preference and I like Shimano reels. 

[RDB]

3 hours ago, Choporoz said:

 

Each time I read this post, I come down to answer.....but there's two very different questions that I feel like replying to...lol...."Solely" and "sole" as used above make it easy for me to say no.   I've always liked to think of myself as more impervious to any marketing than the average human.  However, I freely admit that if I watch a pro tearing them up for hours or days with something....in conditions that look like what I fish....well...I just might find myself buying a very specific lure in the subsequent days or weeks.  

 

   I will also admit that I have bought a lot of stuff after reading some of you guys talking it up.

 

   And just for the record.....in my big box of 'never gonna use that again' stuff, there is far more lures that I got after reading about it here than there are lures I watched some pro using.

I think this is a great point.  As I read the post, there are really 2 questions.  The 2nd paragraph says “solely” and the last summation question is “how influenced are you by what they do”?  I don’t even do what my wife tells me to do without at least some critical thought.  I agree that most likely don’t buy just because they are told to…it’s about degrees IMO.

 

Unless you live off the grid, have an unlimited budget to experiment, or are only throwing things carved by our ancestors, I think it’s silly to think that pro’s have no influence on all of us.  If you only watch YouTubers, chances are they are influenced somewhat by pro’s (by the way, many YouTubers are sponsored…hell, even I have a few sponsorships and I’m nothing special).  The reality is for the most part, industry and pro’s control the narrative and even if you can’t name a pro, chances are a pro is still having some influence on what you are hearing.

[Spankey]

Greg Hackney and Mark Zona are my top fishing personalities. Two guy that I’d like to meet, fish with and hang out with for a while. Not sure what they endorse, not sure if they even are pushing anything. 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Let me know what pro uses a St Croix Avid 8' Medium Light Moderate rod with 8# Nanofil throwing a senko in 20fow 120' out. That Pro is one I might patronize.