Youtube vs Pros 2023

[InfantryMP]

30 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

"I don't always fish a C-Rig, but when I do it's after a blowout victory by Ben Milliken" ?

 

Zero shame in my game, whatever puts the toads in the boat I say.  

I am not mad at you. I wont be fishing for a couple months due to a move, but I wish you luck with it!

[Jar11591]

No it doesn’t really change how I look at them because there’s never been any doubt in my mind that some of them are seriously talented anglers. I think a lot of the old heads look down on them for a couple different reasons. Most youtubers are younger (<45) and some of them have obviously become pretty wealthy making fishing videos. I think that brings up some jealousies among certain crowds. 
 

Milliken seems like a cocky, insufferable tool but I can’t deny that he’s a seriously talented angler and user of FFS. Anybody who doubts that is just insecure or ignorant. 
 

Tactical Bassin is another channel that gets dumped on somewhat and I find this even more confusing. Both Matt and Tim seem like down to earth, humble guys who genuinely enjoy bass fishing, making videos and helping anglers. Even though I find them to say some goofy things that I roll my eyes at from time to time, there is no denying that they’re both extremely talented and knowledgeable bass fishermen. 

[InfantryMP]

Yea I like a lot of folks on the tube when it relates to fishing. Tactical Bassin is a good example, those guys do pretty well on the socials, but I bet would do very well in tournaments if the time was dedicated. 

 

I find the shift in bass fishing funny. You hear about it all the time, the current pros had to step their game up with socials etc to please sponsors because that is where the sales and branding come in. Now there are social guys that are coming out already with a great online presence, laying the smack down in the pro level. 

 

I bet if Ben did not own part of 6th sense, he would have sponsors knocking at the door. He already does probably with boats and other not tackle related equipment. 

[TnRiver46]

What people are really missing the boat on are non endemic sponsors. Like Swindle with dude wipes and Milliken with hello fresh. There are bigger pieces of the pie outside of boats and tackle 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Absolutely, Ben did a national Orkin commercial a year ago.....he's actually got a marketing firm besides just Cole Slaw ?

 

Orkin TV Spot, 'The Best In Pests: Termites' Featuring Ben Milliken - iSpot.tv

 

Guy in banking several hundred k a year between 6th Sense, YT/Google Adsense, and endorsements before he even won a derby.

 

As Phishli said in a PM conversation, he likely waited until he was financially secure to make this run because I couldn't understand why it took this dude until the age of 33 to fish professionally.   

[PhishLI]

Don't think I'm allowed to post the vid link, so search this: 

 

Ben Milliken The Next Big Thing on MERCER-106.

 

It just dropped. The topic of this thread is covered in the first 15 minutes.

[J Francho]

I'll post it. 

 

[InfantryMP]

I am going to watch that one this afternoon!

 

It would make sense for him to wait to 33 until being financially secure. I also think the better he got with FFS and graphing the more confident he became more willing to take the plunge.