A good company?

[northgabassfisher]

I want to get sponsored for the first time but I don't know what company(s) to seek after. What is a good company for a 16 year old to ask for a sponsorship? I do currently own a boat I am going to start fishing tournaments when I get my new bass boat (which will be in a couple of weeks hopefully). so whats a good company to get started on.

Thanks.

[Will]

Look local for companies that are promoting there business alot through the media, one example could be a cell phone company.

[IneedAnewScreenName-93875]

Ditto what Will said!!

Also you might want to look at attorney's - they do a lot of advertising.

[JT Bagwell]

In my opinion, the answer is NONE.

I think that a 16 year old needs to focus on the

fundamentals of bass fishing. To many people

get caught up in the "Sponsor" craze. The cold

hard truth of the matter is, for anglers regardless

of age, you are not going to make money off of

sponsors unless you bring a lot to the table. In all

actuality most anglers will not even get free baits

or free line. It is just not a reality for most people.

Take your time, learn the business and once you

understand how everything works and have obtained

some corporate worth then you can approach possible

sponsors.

JT Bagwell

[crankin_king]

In my opinion, the answer is NONE.

I think that a 16 year old needs to focus on the

fundamentals of bass fishing. To many people

get caught up in the "Sponsor" craze. The cold

hard truth of the matter is, for anglers regardless

of age, you are not going to make money off of

sponsors unless you bring a lot to the table. In all

actuality most anglers will not even get free baits

or free line. It is just not a reality for most people.

Take your time, learn the business and once you

understand how everything works and have obtained

some corporate worth then you can approach possible

sponsors.

JT Bagwell

eye'm going to try to say this without offending you but if eye do eye apologize...thats is where most people go wrong they "asume" most teens 13-19 wanting or already fishing tournaments need to focus on the fundementals not the sponsors personaly eye think they need to focus on both. eye say get out there and learn early what companies want and don't want instead of waiting to get up out of your rockin' chair and figure it out...by the way check out some lower class companies at the begginig aswelll as local bait shops thats where you'll have the best successees until you build up a little history in tournaments and archeving your other sponsors goals for you

[JT Bagwell]

Holy cow dude, you might want to get a spell check.

You are entitled to your opinion, but I do not agree with

you on this one.

For starters, "Most" tournament organizations will not let anglers under

the age of 16 participate. Secondly, children under the age of 18 (in most states) are not permitted to enter into a legally binding contract (which is what a sponsorship contract is).

With that being said, I revert back to my previous statement where I said young anglers need to build on their fishing skills and worry about sponsorships and other financial matters when it becomes an issue.

JT Bagwell

[FutureClassicChamp]

JT. what about the Triton kid? i forget his name. he was on Strike King's show with Mark Menendez.

[JT Bagwell]

Mike,

I am not sure what you are talking about.

However, as we all know there is an exception to every rule.

My previous comments were meant for the majority.

JT Bagwell

[squid]

Spell check and some proper grammar would help out too, huh? Yes, eye is the correct spelling but when talking about yourself...I....is the correct grammar to use.

JT is right about the age to sign contracts. If the Strike King PS'r is under 18 then his/her parents would have to sign under their name to make it legal.

I see nothing wrong with helping young ones to get LOCAL sponsors, cause this works in many ways. It helps them learn the responsibilities and needs of their sponsors, and teaches them how to better prepare themselves when talking about their sponsors in front of other people, whether it's the products or services that the sponsor provides.

[FutureClassicChamp]

yeah that kid is definitely under 18. i think hes like 12 lol. i think he did a seminar at the classic here in pittsburgh

[crankin_king]

Spell check and some proper grammar would help out too, huh? Yes, eye is the correct spelling but when talking about yourself...I....is the correct grammar to use.

JT is right about the age to sign contracts. If the Strike King PS'r is under 18 then his/her parents would have to sign under their name to make it legal.

I see nothing wrong with helping young ones to get LOCAL sponsors, cause this works in many ways. It helps them learn the responsibilities and needs of their sponsors, and teaches them how to better prepare themselves when talking about their sponsors in front of other people, whether it's the products or services that the sponsor provides.

squid I can agree with you about the local sponsors and preparing yourself...and if you're wondering abou the "eye" its the way we wright it a NAFC and I'm just use to that

[Triton_Mike]

I am definitely with JT on this one.  NAGAbasser,  There is nothing wrong with wanting a sponsorship but there aren't many companies that are going to take on a 16 year old.  Like JT said there are exceptions to every rule and Johnny Shultz http://www.jonnyschultz.com is an exception to that rule.  He is the youngest angler to win the BASS casting kids at 8yrs of age.  He has an audience to market due to that accomplishment and he is an EXCELLENT role model and speaker on the tank.  

But I think you and quite a few others that I am seeing on this board are going about sponsorship the wrong way.  Please don't get offended as I am trying to help you and not hurt you in your endeavors.  Instead of asking what companies are GOOD you should ask yourself the same question and switch your thinking around to what particular baits/products do YOU like to fish with and have confidence in and approach those companies.   It's really a pretty easy question to get an answer to if you ask  yourself the right questions.  What products do you find yourself having confidence in and using them regularly?  It's easier to sell products (that is what your job is as a sponsored team member) that you use daily and have confidence in and most importantly catch fish on.  On the flip side, I don't think a boat is required to gain sponsorship but it certainly doesn't hurt.  IF you can get X bait company into 10 tackle stores (example) and prove your worth without a boat then your salesmanship will be marketable.    I have a friend that does just this.  He does not have a boat but he can sure get the baits on the shelves in tackle shops (salesmanship) hence he has sponsorships with a few companies.

One of the BIGGEST mistake that I see alot of anglers make over and over again is sponsor hopping.  If you think Gamakatsu is the greatest hook on this earth and you ask for sponsorship and you are declined DO NOT give up.  Even more importantly do not move onto the next best company because you were rejected.  Be persistant and keep proving yourself to that person that you are worthy to that company and that you are LOYAL.   If you do fishing reports or write about Gamakatsu I would email your contact at Gamakatsu once a month on stuff you have done to promote Gamakatsu.  I would send that person internet links of where I promoted their product (don't sound like a broken record on the message boards please!), How many guide trips I did, what articles I have written (By all means try to make sure their product is in the picture that you are using for said articles (extra brownie points here)) and send them all the links to where that article is displayed.  The more websites you have it on the more exposure for you/them.  Also, what seminars you have done, guide trips etc etc.  I would do this tactfully and persistantly and with good spelling.  If your spelling sucks get someone to proofread your emails before you send it.  No offense but "EYE" isn't going to cut it!!

Another thing that will help you is to come up with a good resume' that sets yourself apart from everyone else.  EVERYONE fishes tournaments and can wear a patch and put a sticker on their boat and truck and talk about products.   The above description probably fits a half of a billion anglers.  What can you offer that is different than everyone else?  How can you expand on that model above to increase your audience.  

I will use myself as an example.  I am a guide (www.tritonmike.com) , I write for Gary Yamamoto's Inside Line (National Magazine), Georgia Outdoor News (State Magazine), I write fishing reports for over 25 different websites,  I write articles for too many websites to count, I participate in message forums such at BassResource.com, Westernbass.com, Bassfishinghomepage.com and too many others to list, I do seminars on the tank at Bass Pro Shops, Atlanta Boat Show, Atlanta Fisharama and I also give seminars for the DNR (Dept of Natural Resources) and various bass clubs in the area.  Thats just the short list of what I do and how I get my sponsores publicity.  The internet is a powerful tool in marketing yourself and a great avenue to get into writing about what you have learned and sharing it with a broad audience.  I'll bet you Glenn the owner of BassResource.com would be more than happy to get you started with a forum to share your articles on IF they are well written and have good content.   Website owners are always looking for articles to help drive viewers to their website.  The more viewers they get the more they can charge companies to sponsor their websites.  It's a you scratch my back, I'll scratch your back type deal.  

I would also suggest a web resume' (again setting yourself apart from your fellow anglers).  I'm not going to post my resume' link here but if you would like to see an example of mine email me and I'll be happy to send you the link.  mbucca AT comcast DOT net is my email.  

The above is just the short example of how I would get started.  But like JT stated at the stage you are at I would concentrate more on the fishing and article writing first.  Those 2 things will help you more than you know in the long run in obtaining sponsorship with big and small companies alike.

All the SPOTS!!

T Mike

www.tritonmike.com

[topwtr81]

hey guy's I side with all of you in some way's Jt you have some incredibly valid point's and northga don't be offended,  I think the most important thing a youngster can do is this 1 go to school and get at least an associate's in business

this sport is more business than anything else the fishing part is a bonus

now you are still I assume in high school so in the mean time set some very realistic goal's for yourself You said your getting a boat that's great I bought my first skeeter when I was 18 BUT I didn't run it in a tournament for a bunch more year's I figured I had too much to learn, I would use your boat as a practice tool the biggest difference between pro's and local angler's is time on the water, Join a club and fish non boater for a couple year's you may also want to fish some state level stuff or even co angler in the weekend series or bfl, I can't tell you how many quality angler's I've learned from out of their boat.  If you are truly interested in sponsorship's start small and think outside the box until you have some experience, I know skguides.com has a jr pro staff program that might be a place to start. I made alot of mistake's the first 15 year's in the sport and the biggest two was not going to college and trying to move too fast.

now I'm 36 a 20 year tourney veteran and just in the last 3 year's started turning a profit and cashing check's regularly I have 6 very good sponsor's that I work very hard for, I've lost some very good sponsor's in the past because I simply didn't have the knowledge, discipline, and work ethic to apreciate what I had.  

I will give you an example I was with Gambler worms in the mid 90's I worked and fished with guy's like marty stone and Gerald Swindle before they made thier mark. these guys' understood what I didn't and in 1998 I lost Gambler

it's in the past but I every now and again wonder what could have been

Good luck and for now just have fun and rip lip's

[MyKeyBe]

Holy cow dude, you might want to get a spell check. JT Bagwell

LFMAO! I don't care who U. R. ... ;D ;D ;D

Eye think crankin_king needz 2 start pooring hiz own lurez if he wantz 2 get sponsered. ;D Lurez iz Us.

northgabassfisher,

I think everyone has made valid points and I wish you the best of luck. You seem to have the spirit to make it , someday. Most, if not all, company's will look at you as some punk azz kid. You have no merit and little, if any experience.

So... You need to go out there and prove them wrong. Win a tournament or two. Learn all you can about bass and the potential sponsor's lure and "sell" it back to them. Make them think that you are the best salesman and truley believe in there lures.

Anyway, your young, you have a lot to learn, and someday you may catch the next world record. Just keep at it, learn all you can, and have fun! Do this and I will bet that you will find your dream sponsor someday.

[crankin_king]

Holy cow dude, you might want to get a spell check. JT Bagwell

Eye think crankin_king needz 2 start pooring hiz own lurez if he wantz 2 get sponsered. ;D Lurez iz Us.

already do ;D

[bixbybasspro]

;D ;D ;D ;D, ya crankin, make sure your speaking english in front of sponsors instead of spanglish... eye is spanglish....I is english.. 8-)

[crankin_king]

;D okie dokie then :D :D

[squid]

Crankin_King,

If you are writing this while sitting in 7th grade English, please make sure you are learning your writing skills first, then worry about your fishing skills and getting sponsors second. I feel that school should be more important to you right now. When school is out, that is when you can get into fishing and learning everything you can about the basics.

13 is way too young to worry about finding a sponsor and fishing seriously in tournaments. You still have to write and speak so that others, a lot older than you, can understand. I do not mean to offend you, but you do need to learn more than just fishing.

Sorry,

Squid

[Will]

I agree, for now you are little to young to get the sponsors but you can do alot in High School to make a great resume. Here are some of the items I can think of.

1. Student Council, I am not sure if that is what its called at your school, but it shows leadership.

2. Scouts, FFA or 4-H, all these are great programs if you hold an office, even better.

3. Go into Debate and Forensics. It will show you can speak in front of people and you can persuade them even on topics you don't agree with.

I started doig Debate and Forensics when I was a Junior in High School, I was never any good but it helped me alot. I wish I would of done them at least 3 years now.

[texasbass1]

I have to agree with JT. First work on you fishing skills first, get your education and build your resume. It may take years to land a sponsor, but the fundamentals of communication, salesmenship and professionalism are a must.

Good luck in your quest