Can trophy fisherman get sponsored?

[fishingfrenzy]

So many people that are sponsored compete in tournaments, how about the trophy fishermen....would a company be interested in only poeple that fish for quality fish but not quantity.  For myself, I care more about the guy that consistently catches big fish then the guys who can catch say 20 fair size fish a day.  I would probably buy a product that a guy like fish chris supports over the average tournament guy with patches all over his shirt.  I am personally more of a trophy type fisherman, how would I be able to go about and talk to companies about free products and discounts since I've never competed in a tournament in my life.  My own personal goal is to break the state record and set several IGFA line class records for my state.  I have caught over 50 5+lbs. bass in my 16 year old life, with my PB at 8 1/2 lbs.  Would this be good enough to be in contact with a company, or would they rather look at the guys out in Cali who catch 10 pound bass at the same rate as 5 pounders in NJ.  I have thought about going into the fishing industry in the future and thought about using this as a stepping stone to bigger and better things, like maybe getting a job with a company.

[actionbaits]

Sponsorship is strictly about marketing. The reason competitive anglers get sponsorship is,  that is where the "crowd" is. I've even seen a small group of interested people gather around a club weigh in.  These on-lookers invariably ask "what did ya use to catch all them fish?"  I single angler targeting big fish, simply will not draw enough attention (crowd) to themselves to attract a sponsor.

[preach4bass]

Sponsorship is strictly about marketing. The reason competitive anglers get sponsorship is, that is where the "crowd" is. I've even seen a small group of interested people gather around a club weigh in. These on-lookers invariably ask "what did ya use to catch all them fish?" I single angler targeting big fish, simply will not draw enough attention (crowd) to themselves to attract a sponsor.

That's not necessarily true.  I agree that for the most part tournament fishermen get the exposure, but GREAT trophy fishermen get their fair share of exposure as well.  Fish Chris is an excellent example.  After reading his posts on here and checking his web site out, I PM'd him and ask him a few questions about lures to use while targeting trophy bass.  The lures he suggested are the lures I bought.  Not only that, but after I had success with the lures he suggested, the guys I fish with bought some too.  I know Fish Chris is sponsored by some companies, and I would assume some of the same companies he suggested I buy baits from.  So, to answer the original question, yes, trophy fishermen can get sponsored, and they can do an effective job of promoting a company's product.

[JuniorFisherJJ08]

its all about exposure of the company.  They dont care if you catch 10lbers consitantly.  You go in to buisness to make a profit, not to lose, and sponsoing someone who maybe 100 people see is out of the question. They want the guys who give the most exposure.  If you could find a way to give them that, then you could proably get sponsored.

[roadwarrior]

Fish_Chris has several sponsors, but he is an exceptional fisherman.

As everyone has already pointed out, sponsorship is a function of what YOU bring to the table.

[Mattlures]

Wow I am very suprised at some of these answers. I dont know if they could be MORE WRONG!! First and formost getting sponsers is about marketing. If YOU are marketable then sponsers come easily weather your a trophy hunter or not. Mike Long is sponsered by Ranger, (I beleive his boat was free) and many, many other sponsors. Pretty much all the big named trophy hunters out here are sponsored. Heck I am, and I aint that good but I am marketable. Fish Chris is sponsored by G3 and Okuma. Trust me there are millions of tournament anglers who have none or small sponsors. Its not how big or many you catch or how many you win its how much you sell. If you market yourself properly than sponsors will come to you. Can you get your products recognition? will people buy these products because of you? if the answers are yes than you could get sponsered catching bluegill.

[Gatorbassman]

What Matt said.

If you can find your niche that makes you stand out in a way that sells a product then you are marketable. It doesn't matter what it is. If you want to blend into the crowd then try attracting a sponsor by fishing tournaments like most everyone else.

[Guest Bountiful_Waters]

My young friend, there has been some excellent advice given on her for you. The only advice I can give you is...don't be a bimbo when it comes to sponsorships. I use specific equipment all the time and would not change to a different brand just to be sponsored. You have to truly beleive in the product before you can recommend it to someone else. I fish St. Croix rods primarily either stock or with custom blank. When I last spoke with St Croix, I mentioned that we were filming a show in Mexico this summer. Low and behold, a package arrives with matching sets of apparel (shirts/hats). I did not ask for nor expected anything. Be careful about asking for "free merchandise" as it sounds like that is why your wanting sponsored. I tell everyone about products I have had success with, in fact I have sent people to *** just today. I do not ask for anything tangible in return, but I bet if I sent 25 people to them this year, they would appreciate it. I would hope that those I recommend send people to me wanting to fish Mexico. This world is a business, and only friends do things for free. Market yourself well and be patient. Catching fish has very little to do with it. The rule of averages say that if you do something bad to someone, that person will tell on the average of 11 people, but will only tell 3 others of something good you've done. Do a whole lot of good and things will turn for you.

[Fish Chris]

I consider myself very blessed, and fortunate, to be sponsored by the companies that I am, just for catching a big fish every now and again :-) But seriously speaking, it's like a few of the posters have already said, it's all about marketing. I'd like to think it was just as important for me to be an honest, friendly guy, who's passion for the sport of fishing, always shows.

And Bountiful_Waters said a mouthful, when he stated > and (I) would not change to a different brand just to be sponsored < Amen !

With Okuma, I had bought one of their Epixor 15 reels, and took it out the very next day, and caught nearly 300 lbs of big, strong Channel cats on it ! I was so impressed with the reel, I sent them a "Thank you" letter, and a link to my site. I guess they were somewhat interested in me too, as they offered to send me 3 more reels of varying sizes, just so I could see what I thought. I loved those just as much as my Epixor 15 ! Bam ! I'm sponsored :-)

I used TUF-Line Plus, by Western Filament for nearly 3 years before I ever contacted them ! Furthermore, I decided the day I sent them a resume' > I sure hope they sponsor me, because I can't see myself using any other brand < Thank God they picked me up, or I'd be spending a good chunk on line (even though TUF-Line is the best value on the market) :-)

As for my G3, I had searched high and low for "just the right boat for me". It just happened to be a G3. Called a few dealers..... and Geeeez ! New boats sure aren't cheap, are they ? So I started bugging G3. Bam.... a couple months later, I had "my dream boat sitting in front of the house" :-)

Anyway, when I got my first sponsorship, I used to feel like, "Wow ! These people are really nice, to just "give" me this free stuff"....... but the fact is (although all of my sponsors are really cool people who I enjoy dealing with) first and foremost, it's a business thing ! They are gambling that they will give me $100 worth of product, for a sales increase of $1000 or more. And I feel pretty confident that I am making this happen.

So, just to reitterate;

1) Be a straight up guy ! No BS !

2) Be a friendly, outgoing guy, and try to help people as much as you can. Let your passion show !

3) Turn down sponsorships from companies who's product you would not normally use, and work on sponsorships from companies who's products you use and swear by ! Don't bug them so much your a nuisance.... but don't let them forget about you either ;-)

4) FISH HARD ! You can follow all of the above to the "T", but you still need to consistently make catches that gain attention. Whether it's big limits in tournies, lots of big individual fish for a trophy hunter, or lots of happy clients for a guide. You have got to catch fish ! ......but then, that's the most fun part of all of this anyway, right ? ;-)

Peace,

Fish

If I could do it, you certainly can.

PS, Having your own website is a great way to both show case your own big catches, as well as advertise the products or services of potential sponsors.

[earthworm77]

You can definately sell baits by being a consistent big fish angler. Long before I fished competitively I was what I considered a big fish guy...if you could be one in NY. I did it the right the way by having every fish over 5lbs documented by NYSDEC. In about 20 years of fishing I caught a tremendous number of fish exceeding 5lbs and became prominent in my locale as a big fish guy. That reputation helped me gain access to media such as writing for magazines, websites, newspapers, I guest hosted couple of TV fishing shows, I've done tons of seminars. Essentially I made myself marketable and it all started when I was your age. Lay the ground work now and keep it going and it will payoff for you. Decide why you really want to do it. Then approach it with honesty, humility and determination.

It is all about marketability and how you sell yourself that ultimately sells your sponsors products. I personally am sponsored by 7 or 8 different companies and although I do have tournament experience, there is no doubt in my mind that this didn't play into the fact that I landed those sponsorships. Most of these companies contacted me because they read something I wrote online or in a magazine. Some simply sent me items to test or include in a shoot out article. Some actually picked me up after reading what I wrote about their products. Writing articles and books as I do gets products that I talk about a little publicity.