Want Sponsors?

[NitroBoy88]

I'm only 19 and I've been asked that same exact question a 100 times before. I've been through the BASS Youth ranks and fished the JWC and all that good stuff and a few years ago i talked to a big tall bald guy at a fishing show by the name of Marty Stone  ;D. We talked for a while and one thing i'll never forget that he told me is that you shouldn't approach companies trying to gain a sponsorships but that you should rather let them come to you. Because in the marketing portion of this sport he said that a lot of these under age kids approach these companies just looking for free gear and what not. Rather then approaching the companies he told me that you know your valuable when the companies come to you. By no means do i feel i know everything about the marketing side of the fishing industry but over the years while talking to various people i've come to really see how it works. I know for a fact that 90% of these kids 18 and under don't know the first thing about promoting a companies products. I bet if you asked a select number of these kids trying to get sponsors they wouldn't even know what "Pro" in "Pro Staff is short for. They would probably say Proffesional Staff when it is actually Promotional Staff. By no means do you have to be a Proffesional to be on a companies Pro Staff. I also find it funny how many of these kids ( I really shouldnt be talking because im only 19 myself  ) email companies and have never used their products. How do they know the stuff is any good if they've never used it? The way i see it is that the only reason these kids are doing it is for 1: Free Product and 2: Because they want to be cool around their friends ( Trust me i feel cool too being sponsored, Just kidding   ;D ) Just my 2 make it 3 cents.

[roadwarrior]

** MODERATOR NOTE **

For those bringing up this thread for the first time, start on page

one if you are really intersted in sponsorship. This single thread

does a very good job of "covering it all."

-Kent  a.k.a. roadwarrior

Global Moderator

[roadwarrior]

Matt,

I saw your resume on the thread you started. That's where it belongs,

not here.

-Kent  a.k.a. roadwarrior

[bass wrangler569]

I'm 17 and my ultimate goal is to be able to fish professionally. I fully 100% believe that I will be able to accomplish this for three reasons, one, I have a plan, two, I'm more than willing to work my @$$ off for it, and three, I won't quit trying until I succeed.

Right now, I could care less about sponsors. I obviously would love to be sponsored for all of the benefits it would offer but now I am much more concerned with trying to get as much experience as I can before college. I'm fishing every tournament I can possibly enter this season (around 25 club, district, youth, and state team tournaments) so that I can try to get as much on the water experience as I can. I'm lucky enough to have supportive parents that are willing to pay my entry fees and gas money for all of my tournaments, so that helps me out a ton money wise. After I get enough experience under my belt that I feel that I will be marketable, then I'll look for sponsors but right now I'm more concerned with working on becoming the best fishermen I can possibly be.

[Hinkle2891]

im currently in college to become a police officer. 20 years old. i'm thinkin that i'll be an officer for about 10 years, gain some assets, (boat, nice truck, etc) and then compete in some tournaments. i was in the same boat as some of those 12 year olds. i think that they want to be like Mike Iaconelli and be a young gun, but there's a reason why there's mostly older guys sponsered - bait companies are GIVING you stuff for FREE... they want experience and someone who they can trust to push the product. However, being young, i can scream BOOYAH louder than anyone i know lol.

[Thorsten]

I wonder is being a BASS touring PRO are much work as the PBA tour is? and are the Sponsors as hard on their pros as mine are on me? I would love to go PRO in this sport but to tell you the truth Im scared because I love bass fishing and I dont want to grow to hate it as i have bowling.

That is an excellent question. I would like to hear some of the pros weigh in on this...although I am not sure it would be best to bad mouth the hand that is feeding you.

I always wondered this about PRO sports. Most of us on this board really enjoy fishing...would we really enjoy it if we were forced to go out in 35 degree weather with 30-40mph wind gusts and 3-4ft in our fresh Goretex suit for a photo op just because our ranger and Gortex sponsors told us to? I am not sure I would...not to say that I wouldn't do this for fun (once), but I don't think I would appreciate being told to do so.

I imagine you could lose a lot of the fun and excitement that fishing brings when you do get sponsors when they begin pulling your strings.

Fishing for me is an escape from the realities of work and the world. I work so that I can afford to fish.

If the reason you are looking for a sponsor is so that you can afford to fish, you are doing it for the wrong reason. Get a good daytime job, work hard, fish your time off, be frugal with your money (have little debt and invest in the future) and retire early. That's my plan and I'm sticking to it.

Just one more point before I hop off my soapbox...These companies are looking for people to buy their product, not for people to give it away to. Buy the product, prove it works by using it and then talk about the product. If you are influential enough to get people to buy it, the company making the product will approach you. In other words, don't let sponsorship be the means to recognition...recognition is the means to sponsorship.

Oh by the way...I know I just join BassResource.com, but I am a really good web surfer and the web is costing me some money...since this is a great site, I was hoping you could sponsor my web surfing.  A little check in the mail each month would be great...BTW, I can surf twice as good as the next guy in case you were wondering... ;D

[DwayneBreland]

When I was 18 years old I believed I knew it all. I was so good at selling a product that I even had an offer to get a Boat deal from a very big boat company. At 18 years I was not ready. You might be able to go out there and just catch the fish like crazy but what you don't realize is that you just don't have the experience to promote companies like they need to be promoted. It takes more than just going to tournaments and wearing a companies logo during a tournament to say you're sponsored.

Being sponsored means going out to different boat shows and tackle shows and promoting their product. It means when your in a tournament actually fish that product. See you have to start off on the bottom and work your way up. That means going two states away helping that sponsor work a show and never ask that sponsor for a dime. Not even a product. What you're learning is how to promote. Being sponsored means wearing their shirts every where you go and taking time to talk to people and answer any and all questions they have regarding that product. Being sponsored means going back to school and getting a degree in marketing as well as taking speech classes to help you speak in front of big crowds. Being sponsored means going to children's hospitals and spending time with them and letting them know that everything is going to be alright. Not because you have to but because you want to. Being sponsored means going in the community and giving back to the children and letting them know that they do have a chance in life. If their dream is to be a doctor let them know that no one can stop them in living their dream out if they work hard to get it. Being sponsored is so much more than just tournament fishing. You have to learn how to reach out to all communities and help every person of every color understand how to catch fish on the product you are promoting and last but not least being sponsored means promoting a product you truly believe in and fish every time you go fishing.

I currently have one sponsor. I have been working with this company for over a year now and started at the bottom and never did I ask for anything. I simply called this man up and told him about his product and how much I enjoyed fishing this bait. I am very proud to work for him and will do so for many years to come.

why do I feel I am ready to be sponsored.

Now I am 29 years old. I am a husband and a father of one boy and one girl. I named both of my kids after boats lol. I knew at 18 years old that I was not ready because I knew I would only get better with age. I knew I would mature and mature I did. I did not want to waste my shot at 18 and for some reason make a mistake and never have that shot again. I now know what it takes to hold down a sponsorship and am ready. I set my plans up to make this a 3 year to 4 year run to become an elite series angler. I have allowed myself time to grow and I found out this is not only my dream but this is what i was put on earth to do. I was put on this earth to give all kids a hope in life. Through fishing and my faith in Christ Jesus I will accomplish that feat.

Thanks everyone and I hope I did not offend anyone on this site from the words I just wrote. I am here to help and will help you out anyway I can. Thanks again, Donald Breland

[Glenn]

Donald,

Being sponsored also means acting responsibly when representing your sponsors.  One surefire way to lose your sponsorships is to log on to a website and start spamming it or acting in a manner that is against the terms of service of that site.

A little reading of the agreement when you sign on, and hanging out to see how things are run go a long way.  Taking shortcuts, not paying attention to the FAQ's (for example) is a surefire way to get nasty letters to your sponsors about your behavior.

Just a tip.  :

[Elite Image Fishing]

Mr. Breland,

I think everything you stated may have been already addressed in some way on this thread. Also I feel that you have to first be able to catch fish before you attempt to get any sponsorship, seeing as how your entire income/sponsorship would rely on you winning and doing well in tournaments, even if that is not %100 of the job. The seminars,hospital visits, and other appearances may play a big role, but i.m.o you will not make it to that point without being able to fish.

[Az Bassin]

I have been in quite a few local tourneys and not an expert on the subject of fishing but i belive in what i know..When i was growing up i idolized Bill dance,Rolland Martin ect and i never really had any concept of what sponsors expected from you..In my mind it was you are the greatest and the sponsors flocked to your door.Then i had always wanted sponsors i thought it was a free ride,well now several years later and talking to  people in bass fishing and other sports i have a better understanding of what sponsorship is all about..

I love to fish and would love it as a full time job, I dont think i would want the pressure to over come the Passion.....

[BigNiner]

I am 24 years old and a student. Like many others, I've felt the pressure to acquire sponsors but have not pursued any as my studies have become more important to me at this time than fishing. I realize that competing at a national level, such as BASS or FLW, that the fees for the events can be quite high, and there is just not enough time or money during the week to work a regular 40 hour job, travel 1 or more days to an event, practice, and do well in a competition. That, perhaps, is a reason why many anglers from the younger generations feel as though sponsorship is an absolute necessity.

Also, I've noticed the hard work ethic of professional anglers. The stories of how they came to be professionals are not always puppy dogs, unicorns and four-leaf clovers. They've all worked very hard in the past and that hard work has proven to be economically viable for them. Some of us want to be the best, and we can be, but we're going to have to take the ride. Some of us will get there faster than others, and some of will get there less scathed than others, but if we work just as hard as the professionals to get where we want, then we will. Someone will notice.

I agree with a lot of what was said here...

[EasternPAfisherman]

       I'm from the 11-14 range and I have two fishing sponsors. Fish Harder Companies (Tru-Tungsten, Picasso, Youvella, and Cpt. Mike's lures) and Rufneck lures (Newest sponsor.). I'm looking for more so my dad and I can fish tournaments next year. But even though were not yet I have been promoting my sponsors proudly and I was on a local TV show promoting fish harder companies because rufneck lures didnt sponsor me yet. I should do another show next month so then i can promote both of them. I want to go to promotional shows but sadly with gas prices it can't happen right this second. Anyway, my plan is to go to Penn state U, or Pittsburgh state U so I can get a degree in marketing and fish on their fishing team. Also after college go enter some tourneys.

[JT Bagwell]

Still some very interesting points being made here.

JT Bagwell

[1st Shirt]

I am 35 years old and a 17 year Air Force veteran.  I hear a lot of the guys that I fish with talk about how they wish they had some sponsors to cover the cost of tournament fees and such.  I think that most people that are seeking sponsorship think that they are going to get sponsorship like some of the Elite guys have.  They think that their sponsors are going to cover tournament fees and basically pay them to fish.  Most do not realize that sponsors want them to do more than just fish.  They want them to devote a lot of time in selling their products.  Now most of the guys I fish with have full time jobs and cannot devote that kind of time and energy for a sponsor.  They really want something for nothing and think that sponsorship is going to give it to them.

I do not have any sponsors nor am I seeking any.  I joke with my wife's aunt telling her that her company should wrap my boat and pay my tournament fees and in return I will pull the boat all over the country.  I know that being active duty I could not devote the time and energy needed for sponsors.  There seems to be this misguided thought out there that you have to have sponsors to be a good fisherman.  There is a guy that fishes one of the local tournaments here and has his boat wrapped by a rod company.  We have smoked him at the weigh in line several times with no sponsors.  Now I do not know what other tournaments he fishes and he may do very well in them, but sponsorship doesn't make the fisherman.  I want to be known as the guy who could win a tournament on any given lake at any time.  I also know that I have a looooooong way to go to get there!  Being known as a great fisherman is more important than sponsorship to me.

[Kowen117]

I'm 14 and and your rite i don't have any experience in sales or business but its a dream to get sponsored and become a professional angler I do however have experience in fishing lots of fishing i have been fishing since i could hold a rod and bass fishing since i was about nine I pray that some day i can get that extra experience in sales and business weather that be in college or partially here on this site i do not know yet so my question for you is not how to get a sponsor but how I can acquire the skill and experience  in those two fields above to be able to get a sponsor when the time come after college and earning my respect in the lower amateur tournaments  thanks

[Grey Wolf]

I'm 14 and and your rite i don't have any experience in sales or business but its a dream to get sponsored and become a professional angler I do however have experience in fishing lots of fishing i have been fishing since i could hold a rod and bass fishing since i was about nine I pray that some day i can get that extra experience in sales and business weather that be in college or partially here on this site i do not know yet so my question for you is not how to get a sponsor but how I can acquire the skill and experience in those two fields above to be able to get a sponsor when the time come after college and earning my respect in the lower amateur tournaments thanks

Simple , stay in school  , learn marketing.

[Tin]

I'm 14 and and your rite i don't have any experience in sales or business but its a dream to get sponsored and become a professional angler I do however have experience in fishing lots of fishing i have been fishing since i could hold a rod and bass fishing since i was about nine I pray that some day i can get that extra experience in sales and business weather that be in college or partially here on this site i do not know yet so my question for you is not how to get a sponsor but how I can acquire the skill and experience in those two fields above to be able to get a sponsor when the time come after college and earning my respect in the lower amateur tournaments thanks

Simple , stay in school , learn marketing.

And how to type, spell, use punctuation, and how to communicate with others without making yourself look like a dumb___.

[Bassnajr]

This thread is STILL going??!!!

This kid probably graduated college by now. Or then again, probably not!!!! ;D

[central.PA.bass]

I'm 14 and and your rite i don't have any experience in sales or business but its a dream to get sponsored and become a professional angler I do however have experience in fishing lots of fishing i have been fishing since i could hold a rod and bass fishing since i was about nine I pray that some day i can get that extra experience in sales and business weather that be in college or partially here on this site i do not know yet so my question for you is not how to get a sponsor but how I can acquire the skill and experience in those two fields above to be able to get a sponsor when the time come after college and earning my respect in the lower amateur tournaments thanks

Simple , stay in school , learn marketing.

And how to type, spell, use punctuation, and how to communicate with others without making yourself look like a dumb___.

haha i was just going to say that may have been the longest sentence i have ever read in my life!

[dave]

This thread is STILL going??!!!

This kid probably graduated college by now. Or then again, probably not!!!! ;D

I LOVE THIS THREAD !!!

[Gregory25]

To get sponsors:

In todays world you have to be able to sell your self first. Be able to communicate and stay composed around crowds at all times.

You need to be able to fish, or your about worthless to your sponsors.

Need to be able to sale their products and have the knowledge to be able to talk with sense while doing it.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

To get sponsors:

In todays world you have to be able to sell your self first. Be able to communicate and stay composed around crowds at all times.

You need to be able to fish, or your about worthless to your sponsors.

You Need to be able to sale their products and have the knowledge to be able to talk with sense while doing it.

You also must possess the ability to proofread...

I added the "You" in the last sentence for you and highlighted some other areas of interest.

[Pitchinkid]

im glad i wasnt 14 or so when i joined this site. I think yall would have made me cry and quit fishing. Some of yall are A$$holes.

[Pitchinkid]

why sugar coat it. you are all jerks. Especially speedbead.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Yep, I agree with Flippin girl.