Here is what I'm thinking...

[Tin]

Here are a few things everyone should think about before you type in my opinion. I think a lot of the drama in this section and headaches for the mods can be avoided. I think this section has the best benefits for someone trying to move up in life but there are things you need to think about before you try.

1st: Learn to take criticism and expect it. It isn't disrespect or trying to make you feel bad. It is there to HELP YOU! Remember, this is online, just because you read something one way, doesn't mean the person wrote it like that. Take it with a grain of salt, put it in the back of your mind, and better yourself from it.

2nd: I just want to throw this out there so all the young guns out there who want sponsors so badly need to realize. THE GRASS ISN'T ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE. Sure you might get free stuff, but with that comes tying up your weekends that you could be fishing to work shows and do things for the company. So now for some of you guys that don't drive, now you need to get your parnets to get you to and from places. And what good are they getting from it?

3rd: Grammar- Think before you type and proof-read it. I have said it time and time again. What company is going to sponsor you if you appear to be, shall we say, not the brightest bulb on the tree, to be nice.

4th: For you young guys. How about instead of trying to get free "stuff", get a job or a way to make a little side cash. So then you can buy what you need, enter tournaments, and build up your resume. (This falls in the constructive criticism part. I'm not saying your lazy and need to get a job, but it will help you out in the long run)

Sorry

[Bassnbrett101]

Tin - great job on summing things up

But I think "not the brightest bulb on the tree" isn't a real great analogy.  I would try "brightest lightbulb in the pack" or "even greenest leaf on the tree."  I would suggest the first though I dont even think my 2nd one makes sense. lol  But really great job on your post

[Hawg Fan]

Thank You!

I was going to make a post about this issue but didnt want to start any more drama. It just seems like the younger guys think "My dad bought me a boat, now I can get paid to fish". They dont understand that it isnt even about fishing, it is about business and money. I have read some posts where the members are 12 and 13 and are ready to go big! If I could give advice to anyone trying to achieve a high level of success in any sport, not just fishing. It would be to take your time and to earn what is given to you. Success does not have over night. I previously mentioned in a post a few days ago "I am only about to turn twenty but I am not even thinking of starting my tournament career until my thirtys.

Here are a few of my posts:

Im glad to see you are thinking about tournament bass fishing, and I myself am not a tournament fisherman, but through experience of Tournament Paintball I know a thing or two about sponsorships and forming relationships with companies. You must understand Tournament Fishing is a lot more than just loving to fish. It is a business, a big business, and when a company commits itself to you, you need to be commited 110 percent. I'm not sure how old you are but just judging by your posts i'd say not too old. Slow down, you have a long time to go pro. Practice, Study, Fish Tournaments, form relationships through tournaments and get to know what the business is all about. If you are still sure in a few years that it is something you want to be fully commited to then I would say you have a good resume to put together to show companies that you are in it for the long haul, and are the kind of person that can give back to them for payment of their support. I wish you best of luck in whatever you do, and remember to do well in school too!  

Take Care,

Hawg

Again guys, refer to my previous post about being young and having time to gain experience, knowledge of the business, and molding yourself into a well rounded individual through school and life experiences. Your interests change all the time while growing up, so dont get knee deep in the proverbial quick-sand. Being a successful competitor in any sport isnt just about the love of the game, its about what I have described above. I am only about to be twenty years old, and I plan to start my tournaments when I am around thirty when I am somewhat financially stable, slow and steady wins the race...most of the time.  

Good Luck,

Hawg Fan

[Tin]

Tin - great job on summing things up

But I think "not the brightest bulb on the tree" isn't a real great analogy. I would try "brightest lightbulb in the pack" or "even greenest leaf on the tree." I would suggest the first though I dont even think my 2nd one makes sense. lol But really great job on your post

I was referring to a Christmas Tree. ;D     Must be a Rhode Island thing.

[Bassnbrett101]

lol ok, now it makes sense to me. Then its a really good analogy then.  I was thinking like a sassafras tree lol

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Well said Mike.

[wagn]

Great post.

I read this section about resumes every once and awhile just to see what it would take to actually get sponsored. Now i don't even fish tournaments but it's interesting to think about. However what I tend to see are many 12-14 year olds trying to get sponsored. What amazes me is how bass fishing is a sport, but no one seems to treat it as the same as other sports when it comes to making it big or earning a sponsorship.

Here's what I mean. Take any other major sport, basketball for example, and there are no 13 year olds making it big. If they want to go pro or even play college ball they need to work at it day in day out. Drill, practice, play in tournaments. If you want to succeed in basetball you aren't worried about sponsorhips or free shoes. It just doesn't happen until you develop the skills to earn those things.

        I'm the oldest of 5 and  4 of us played college ball, only division 3, but still it was the work that got us there, not looking to get stuff. My youngest sister is actually going Division 1 this year to Columbia. She got there by being the best and always working harder then anyone else. The colleges came to her, not the other way around.    

      Bass fishing should be the same. If you develop your skills when you are younger, are a better angler then your competition and win tournaments the sponsors and money will find you. As always its about work ethic and presenting yourself as a professional. That makes you the best. And being the best is what gets you noticed

[Bassnbrett101]

Wagn - another great post on this topic!

I really hope some of the guys are reading this thread and learning alot from you guys.  There is alot to learn from your two posts alone.  Personally I think some people think unrealistically about sponsorships.  If your good enough to have it happen to you thats great!  But alot of times sponsorships are really hard to obtain, most guys don't have sponsors and have to pay out of pocket.  Right now I'm one of those guys   :'( lol.  I know how hard it is to do, but when you're good enough the sponsors will come to you.  It hardly ever happens the other way around.

Like the NFL and college sports teams fishing companies use recruiters.  These recruits can find you online or offline and what you say on forums such as this one make a big impression on them and you have to take that into consideration.  Sure age is becoming a bigger factor in what sponsors are looking for every year but they want their anglers to be good at what they do for their age. If your 12 and only do as good as other 12 year olds there's a fat chance that you're gonna get sponsored, but if your 12 and winning alot in your age division you might get looked at by these recruiters.

Hope this helps

BTW - I like your new name "BIG DADDY COOL DIESEL"

[basspro96]

I totally agree that is why three posts including my resume have been locked. People starting to argue with each other over stupid stuff. And hey yeah I am 12 but I am just trying to get started and see what it is like to send in a resume even if it is rejected. I just like the satisfaction of knowing I tried. But hey I may fail 10000000000000000 times but in the end I just have to keep my head up and come out a winner and do what it takes to keep it like that. Not trying to hijack this forum so if you think it is off topic don't comment about it. I don't want another one locked!

[roadwarrior]

Not trying to hijack this forum so if you think it is off topic don't comment about it. I don't want another one locked!

Then leave it alone. We don't need another soap opera.

-Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior

Global Moderator

[basspro96]

Sorry RW My fingers and my brain were working against me and I just kept typing. Sorry! :-[

[Bassnbrett101]

There have been some great posts on here and I'd like to see more.  

X2 to what roadwarrior said

[fishfordollars]

It still floors me that all of these children(That is what they are) are out there asking for and expecting these companies to sign them up and support their fishing trips. They can not even enter into any legal agreement. As far as fishing tournaments they can not enter unless they fish with a parent. I for one would never, ever had allowed one of my children to fish with another adult. Tournaments are dangerous and if something were to happen, the attornies would be stacked up to file(If the association or family had anything to get).

Do yourselves a favor and enjoy your childhood years, stay in school, and enjoy the freedom of your childhood.

[jhoffman]

Ill throw my two cents in here. Let me say, I am NOT a pro bass fisherman. I have my own fly fishing business and I am sponsored by the top ranked Steelhead guide service in Ohio/PA. I am a guide, but not full time. I have an Associate in Applied Science (Computer Programming) and I use that to feed my family. It buys my gear, my boats, my vehicles, my house! No one handed me anything. No one taught me to fish, no one taught me how to tie flies. I spent years... 15 to be exact, perfecting my skills on some of the toughest trout streams PA has to offer. I invented my own fly patterns, worked my way into the industry with my computer skills and the sponsor found me! The invites to national fly fishing shows to tie flies... found me! When a company recognizes that you have a skill and additionally the gift of gab, an understanding of business then they are willing to hand over $700 fly rods because they know you're going to bring attention to them. I write reports weekly, I openly share my patterns and the companies patterns on my forums. Next year looks to be the year a BIG name fly fishing company endources the whole company. They know they've got ten of the best fly fishing guides they can get to spread the knowledge not just about the product but the game itself. Thats what sells rods, reels, packs, flies! Guides, people with a reputation in the industry for putting up results and passing on what has gotten them to where they are. Will everyone be sponsored, no, but thats the dream. Its more work then you can even begin to imagine.