Want Sponsors?

[fishfordollars]

I am twelve years old first year in a bass club and I am looking for sponsors. For one I know the responsibilty it is to have a sponsor. Like senko said you have to know how to talk have good personality to in fishing terms "Get the fish to bite the bait" meaning the customer take your sales pitch. Ray Scott for example I do not know if any of you have read his book,but he is a perfect example he could sale anybody anything. He is a perfect candidate for a sponsorship. Bottom line is I would love to be a sponsored jr. angler. At my age to get sponsored you have to like to talk know what you are talking about and be a good sales person.Personally I can get anyone to buy anything.

The issue here is age. Most sponsors do not want to enter into a contract with a minor.

In all brutal honesty, a sponsor won't usually consider a youth till they make it to the JWC's. This is the route I would take if I were you... but be prepared to have your parents handle the details and contracts.

I think it is great for the 11-15 year olds to want to line up sponser ships...Remember the most important thing. You are not liable for your actions and you cannot sign a legal, binding document. Go stay in school and get an education.

[7magJake]

I am 16 and I am looking into sponsorships for a pro- angler job I know I am going to pursue. bass master classic or bust. I am going to college and I am going to major in buissiness most likely fishing on a college team. I see that the youth of american fishing is good because we are younger and we will be around longer and at times we have better technology skills. The youth of american fishing is wanting sponsors because we are seriouis about something and sometimes it seems like a sponsor is the only one who will support us in our dreams. My parents think it is ridiculous I want to fish for a living, so basically they dont support me in my dream and they never really have for me or any of my three brothers. I wont be able to fish any JR tournaments but as soon as I turn 18 I will be fishing on a Amatuer level working my way to the bassmaster series.

[fishfordollars]

First off I'm 17 and I have experience in sales.

Reason why I want to be sponsors is because I really love fishing. I want to compete in these tournament and since nobody hiring around here it hard for me to come up with money to get baits, gas, etc. All I wanted to do was do something for the company in exchange equipment to fish with.

I love business and sales I was hoping if I could gain a sponsor at this point in life it could look good on my college resume and future jobs. Even thought my future job is professional fishing, but I got to pay for that somehow so when I'm trying to get a job in marketing, advertising, or sales and they read that I've been sponsor or I'm currently am sponsored. My sponsor could tell them I do an excellent job in sales and marketing. Basically I'm doing this to learn business for future jobs, and to gain relationship with companies in the fishing business for when I get older and ready to pursue a career in Bass fishing on professional tour.

I'm just looking to gain long term relationship with companies for near future.

Am I making sense or should I try to re-exlain?

First things first. good for you for wanting something and expressing an intrest.

Second, if this is an example of your writing skills, you will need someone that knows how to build a paragraph,  the correct usage of plurals, pronouns, and composing legible, defined sentences.

Please do not take offense. You need to know that correctly communicating with an individual or company is the most important step in opening doors. Good luck

[Tin]

You need to know that correctly communicating with an individual or company is the most important step in opening doors. Good luck

Yup. Maybe a degree in Marketing with a minor in Communications?

[Kimbro]

I think it is great that the select few young kids and teens on these forums have recognized their passion for fishing and want to pursue a career in professional fishing. I also think that they are seeking sponsorship because they have neither the financial means or support to finance their fishing plans. I feel it would be next to impossible for someone so young to garner a sponsor, but the fact that they are expressing interest at this age may put them light years ahead of most of us once they become young adults.

Personally, I would love to be a sponsored angler but my priorities, family and military life keep me from fishing as much as I feel is necessary to be competitive on the tournament circuit. If I were to seek out sponsorship it would only be from the companies I truly believe in such as Daiwa, GYCB, Lucky Craft etc. For instance, at my local lake I am approached routinely about my catches and have turned countless young and older fishermen alike onto GYCB. Why, because I know they flat out catch fish and if I can make a difference in somebody else's life it not only makes my day but it helps the sport we all love to grow.

Bottomline is I will most likely never be a sponsored tournament fisherman but I think it is great that some of today's youth have recognized their passion early and are trying to pursue their dream.

Joe

[rolltide]

I am 15 and I believe that teens should be sponsored in fishing. I currently have a 4.0 GPA as a freshmen in advanced honor courses. My explanation is that it can help not only the angler, but the company that sponsors them. For kids it gives them valuable real-world business skills that can help them in not only angling, but for any type of marketing. So free tackle is like an incentive to maintain good grades so you can attend a college. What does the company get out of this? Young adults are the future consumers of their products. I also think some teens could give informative opinions on the quality of prototype tackle to make products even better. I have not asked for sponsorship yet because I don't think anybody should ask a million companies to sponsor them. Being sponsored is like a business agreement. You should always give a 100%.

[Tin]

I am 15 and I believe that teens should be sponsored in fishing. I currently have a 4.0 GPA as a freshmen in advanced honor courses. My explanation is that it can help not only the angler, but the company that sponsors them. For kids it gives them valuable real-world business skills that can help them in not only angling, but for any type of marketing. So free tackle is like an incentive to maintain good grades so you can attend a college. What does the company get out of this? Young adults are the future consumers of their products. I also think some teens could give informative opinions on the quality of prototype tackle to make products even better. I have not asked for sponsorship yet because I don't think anybody should ask a million companies to sponsor them. Being sponsored is like a business agreement. You should always give a 100%.

But most teens and young people don't have a mindset like that. Most are just happy getting free stuff and don't want to give back to the company, and do not know what "Constructive Critisism" is. If I'am starting a company and want to start a staff, hate to say it but teens would be the last group I would look at. But then again, up here we don't have many young people who do fish. :

[Bassnajr]

Read the last few chapters of Iaoconelli's book as it applies to sponsors. Sobering stuff...but don't stop trying!!

ajr

[utahbasser]

it would be cool to be sponsored, but i think a lot of the younger people want to get sponsored because its like competition. the younger guys always wanna be the best and get known. i used to think about how cool it would be to get sponsored, but i just like fishing and i do'nt need sponsors to help me with that.

[jrhennecke]

I think most people regardless of age want to get sponsored so they feel as if they "made it".  Any time you go to any bass fishing event all you see is the "pros" running around in Ranger or Triton tournament shirts.  For some it is about giving back to a Company but not in the poetic way some make it sound.   To be sponsored is just like being employed.  You do the work for your employer and they compensate you.  Sponsorship is nice but it does not define who you are as a fisherman.  I don't think KVD or Skeet would catch any less bass if they weren't sponsored.

[Bassnajr]

JUST FISH!!!!

If you are good enough...sponsors will find you. I hate the idea of a youngster having to SELL themselves. Get good grades, do community service, and fish your best. if it's meant to be it will happen. IMO

ajr

[littlefisher]

Being a 20 year old college student with only about 2 years of serious fishing under my belt, sponsorship really hasn't crossed my mind all that much.  After listening to that link to BassFeed though, TruTungsten really does peak my interest a little bit.  I have a lot of confidence in their weights and it's all I use now.

I am in the process of working on website for my fishing tournaments and resume and, well just for fun, because I like to make websites.  I am interested in the Tru Tungsten step program he mentioned.  I really am not looking for handouts, I like to earn everything I get on my own, but a discount program would make things a lot easier on the pocketbook.  I know my dad is part of Fluegers select angler program and he gets really good deals on stuff through them so I do have a hook up there.

I do believe most fisherman my age are looking for sponsorship solely for free stuff and a cool shirt like someone mentioned.  To me sponsorship is so much more than that.  The fact that a company is allowing you to represent their product and company is a huge responsibility. The way you uphold your own, and the companies image, can reflect directly on sales.

I take great pride in my confidence to promote myself and my ability to speak openly in public.  I feel it's a great skill that I have and I know that some day it will work to my advantage just like it does for other fisherman.  Whether I get a job working for a fishing company or become a professional fisherman myself someday, I know if I'm not the most successful fisherman, I will at least be able to generate sales for my sponsors because of the image I portray.

[JT Bagwell]

Wow, this thread is over a year old. It is kind of cool to see someone revived it.

JT Bagwell

[maxke01]

To me sponsorship is something that needs to be earned, not asked for. I wouldn't even consider requesting sponsorship unless i knew 100% i could produce on the water. Would i like to be sponsored? Sure. But that doesnt excuse the fact that i have NO business experience and certainly I am not  KVD material.

[Peyton]

im 18 and i dont want a huge sponsor right now i still have alot of fishing to learn and stuff like that but i would just like a sponsor from like around my area just to get me through my tournaments until i get older and better at fishing and promotional sale so if even if anyone knows about field staff opportunities plzz hit me up and i think i have a great resume and alot of promotional opportunities for companies and i will not fail anyone i have business in my blood because my dad owes a roofing business so i know how promotional sale and stuff is

[stoobie]

I'm 32, and thought that I wanted to have sponsorship. However, I have come to realize, as has been mentioned, nothing comes without effort. Up until recently, I had all the comfidence in my fishing skills. I have a true love for the sport, but don't think that I bring anything to the table that everyone else can bring. I'm a very well spoken, outgoing, and business minded person, but so are thousands of others. Like someone else said, I'll continue to sponsor myself(or let my friends sponsor me with the money they lose to me when we bet on our fishing trips ;D).  

Don't forget why we fish! It's fun and we enjoy it.

[squid]

To me sponsorship is something that needs to be earned, not asked for. I wouldn't even consider requesting sponsorship unless i knew 100% i could produce on the water. Would i like to be sponsored? Sure. But that doesnt excuse the fact that i have NO business experience and certainly I am not KVD material.

You don't always need to produce on the water.  You also need to know how to be a salesman.  That is sometimes more important when starting out looking for a sponsor.  What can you do for them.

[Bassnbrett101]

I just turned 19 a few weeks ago and havenever been concerned with getting sponsers.  I always put fishing first, but in this off season (ice on all my lakes) i did make a resume and post it on this site.  I'm not expecting to get any responses or sponsers out of it but i figure it wouldnt hurt to try either.  I mean my fishing skills have gotten me really far for my age and i'm hoping the sponsors are just gonna take care of themselves in a couple years or so.  I made Mid-Atlantic Divisonals for the state of PA this past year and thats just 2 steps away from the classic

[basspro96]

Sponsors really don't care if you fish the classic.All they care about is you selling their product. Sorry if I burst your bubble gut get ready for the "Dear John" letter. My friend Pat a semi professional angler is sponsored by G. Loomis,Vicious,Ranger/Evinrude,Abu Garcia, National Guard,and Minn Kota. It took him FIVE years to get sponsored by Ranger. He had to by  33,000 dollar boat and work boat shows even before they considered him. I know this is coming from a 12 year old. But this is some precious stuff here and I hope you take it to heart. If you consider college fishing DO NOT try to get sponsors. It may make you NOT ELIGIBLE for college fishing. If the fishing is backed by the NCAA. Just my $0.02

[Bass XL]

Sponsors really don't care if you fish the classic.All they care about is you selling their product.

    Although I agree with the second part of your statement, I strongly disagree with the first part. If you qualify to fish the biggest event in bass fishing, and are a part of all of the publicity that comes with it, it is going to appeal BIG TIME to sponsors or potential sponsors.

[basspro96]

I guess I was sorta wrong with the first part

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Here's a great example.  It's Saturday morning,....Ice is out on a few lakes as of last night.  2+ inches of rain.  ...........Its 55 degrees in RI.

I'll be spending the day at the new REI store answering all kinds of North Face questions about Gore-Tex, Hyvent, etc.  My fishing partner Eric will be wearing his gore-tex as he makes his 1st casts of the yr.  

Welcome to the sponsored life.

[Bassnbrett101]

hey thats something i wouldnt mind lol. you could always go out after your meeting

[CPT Scrap]

im 22, and fish competitively on two/three tourney series. granted they arent the big names, like flw or bass, just the ABA and the college smash mouth series. there are currently two views on sponsors i have, with the first being in relation to other colleges. schools like atu, eku, ou, vt, etc.; they all have sponsors, or atleast have their patches on their jerseys. those of us who dont seem to get looked down upon, and thats just not right (goes back to a status symbol). second, i work hard, and that money goes to my rent, truck payments, boat payments, expenses, etc. sponsorships are more of a discount/free product in return for me doin well and pushing the product. with tournament costs goin up as well as gas, any help i can get when it comes to the fishing essentials, i all for it.

[Bassnbrett101]

tell me about it. its almost as if you have to have atleast some kind of sponsership to even fish really competitive tournament series anymore. What is this college smashmouth series you're talking about?  is that the college series you see on tv as in the bassmasters college league or is it different?