KVD's sponsors products?

[Skeet22]

Does anyone else think it is weird that the #1 Bass Fisherman in the world right nows major sponsors which are Quantum and Nitro Boats are two of the most under rated products out there in there class? I am sure Quantum products are first class but for some reason they just do not interest me...Nitro boats appear to be very nice rigs and if they are good enough for KVD then surely they are good enough for us yet you hear people bash them all the time...Just was thinking about that.

[BASSclary]

Maybe he just kept his sponsors from when he was an up-n-comer. He probably has a very good relationship with the companies and thats important to him, but I dont know if he was ever sponsored by someone else besides Quantum for reels, Nitro for boats, etc.

Im sure he can have any sponsorship he wants though.

[JamesH]

Tiger Woods is sponsored by Nike golf. And Nike golf products suck, thats not an opinion thats the truth. I don't know what that means towards what you are asking but I'm just throwing that out there.

[Grey Wolf]

Does anyone else think it is weird that the #1 Bass Fisherman in the world right nows major sponsors which are Quantum and Nitro Boats are two of the most under rated products out there in there class? I am sure Quantum products are first class but for some reason they just do not interest me...Nitro boats appear to be very nice rigs and if they are good enough for KVD then surely they are good enough for us yet you hear people bash them all the time...Just was thinking about that.

That's what their hoping but most informed anglers buy what they like and endorsements by the big shots mean very little.

[Skeet22]

Tiger Woods is sponsored by Nike golf. And Nike golf products suck, thats not an opinion thats the truth. I don't know what that means towards what you are asking but I'm just throwing that out there.

Your definitly right about that. Kind of makes you wonder what Tiger could do using KING COBRA

I need to get out and play some more Golf. This Bass Fishing stuff takes up all my play time but I enjoy it so much more than Golf honestly so it does not bother me too bad.

[Revo_Carrot Stix]

Don't confuse sponsorship with success or personal preference. Contracts or money would convince most of us what products to use. Most notable changes have somewhat been downgrades in my opinion, except for Ike if you're considering the quality/reputation of products.

Skeet went from Abu - Wright Mcgill.

Ike went from Daiwa - Abu.

Bill Dance went from Stren to Seagur.

Linders went from Shimano to Quantum.

If it matters, KVD signature reels and rods have gone from $99 to $299 and $80 to $150 respectively.   

[Gatorbassman]

KVD is not one to jump ship. He has been with Nitro and Quantam from the beginning and he has built a great relationship with them. He can only do so much as an angler. Do you remember when they stopped production of the Z9 Nitro. It wasn't because some government agency called them and told them to do it. It was because Kevin called them from the lake and told them of a big problem. They stopped making them, recalled them, and fixed the problem.

[Hot Rod]

It also seems that Nitro has grown as KVD has.  It would seem that the Nitro brand, at least in the upper end models had improved its quality over the last few years.  Though I can't say as I've never owned a Nitro.  Just going from what I visually see/here.

Quantum is a good product.  Sure some of the cheaper models are real POS but the upper-end stuff is great quality/value.  And that is what KVD would be using in tournaments.

[Skeet22]

I was checking out a Z9 in BPS Sunday. Pretty impressive the thing has a ton of room. It seems very wide compared to some other brands and just looks plain sick. For the money they may one of thebest bargains out there.

[BassThumb]

Do you remember when they stopped production of the Z9 Nitro?

It was because Kevin called them from the lake and told them of a big problem. They stopped making them, recalled them, and fixed the problem.

What was the problem?

[Morelures]

Most of the time the companies that don't get the respect they need and want to keep making money will pay people such as KVD allot more then the other companies will that are already doing fine in there field in hopes to bump sales up. Often even if the product is not great the person will stay with that sponsor to get a paycheck. Look what KVD has done for Strike King once a mainly spinner bait company, now they sell millions on crankbaits. They know for the most part there success has been based around KVD so he is worth the money. And in return he doesn't go else where because Strike King etc. is paying him so much.

Plus who is to say that KVD isn't using a totally different blank rod then the one he sales. He could have the company custom make ones that look just like the ones that are at BPS etc.

Im with you Nitro's are fine, often we think the product makes us, but its not the product it's the guy or women fishing it and there ability to find fish.

[Glenn]

Plus who is to say that KVD isn't using a totally different blank rod then the one he sales. He could have the company custom make ones that look just like the ones that are at BPS etc.

That's one of the biggest misconceptions about the pros. For some unfounded reason, some people think the pros are using secret baits or tackle. Aside from prototype testing, that simply isn't true. The pros are using the same exact stuff you buy off the shelf at your local tackle store. Their feedback to the company about their products is too valuable to waste it on products the public can't use.

[wisconsin heat]

I am sure Quantum products are first class but for some reason they just do not interest me...quote]

its probably the price, tats what did it in for me, if i cant get a good reel under $120 or so im not interested... i guess thats whyim an abu fan ;D...although i would like to someday own a quantum for my self, the reels in that price range(quantum code), have bad reviews and when i can compare them to abu or orra sx's, or shimano citiaca's, quantum isnt really on my radar...

[OHIO]

I am sure Quantum products are first class but for some reason they just do not interest me...quote]

its probably the price, tats what did it in for me, if i cant get a good reel under $120 or so im not interested... i guess thats whyim an abu fan ;D...although i would like to someday own a quantum for my self, the reels in that price range(quantum code), have bad reviews and when i can compare them to abu or orra sx's, or shimano citiaca's, quantum isnt really on my radar...

I have a Quantum Catalyst in both spinning and casting and they are both great reels for the money.

A couple months ago the baitcasting version was on sale for $100. That's a great deal and if it comes up again you should definitely pick one up.

http://www.***.com/Quantum_Catalyst_Performance_Tuned_Cast_Reel/descpage-QCPTC.html

This is the reel.

[Morelures]

Glenn: I wasnt saying that he is or has I was just saying that it wouldnt surprise me. And I would bet that it has happened before with other pro's. When a product goes into mass production sometimes it looses the quality it intented to have. I bet the rods that KVD are not the ones that are being pumped out by the thousands but the ones that quality controll are going over many times. I don't think they use secret stuff, I know they are at the top because they know how to find fish.

Just like with custom hand poured baits, its so easy for a pro to use a red/shad 7 inch shakey head worm because the action or impeded scent is better then the "Zoom" product that sponsors him, but the pro tells the public and the magazines he was using "Zoom" because they pay him. Heck, some people will throw a Rat L Trap and then tell the public it was a Strike King red eye shad that won it for them since thats who pays their bills.

[CAdeltaLipRipper]

Quantum is one of the top reel brands.Just cause theyre owned by zebco doesnt mean anything. I mean for what zebcos are, theyre great. Its not like theyre junk im sure they make the best spincasters. Quantum makes great products.Very stylish,smooth, and durable.As for nitro boats,they also are very nice,just not a ranger or triton or basscat. Nitros have a lot of bells and whistles which is one reason theyre good boats. But when it comes to things like speed, theyre not that great. They go fast dont get me wrong, just not as fast as other top brands. I also think they look pretty nice.I would just rather have a ranger or triton if i had the choice,but would very happily take one if offered ;D

Pros wouldnt take a bad sponser just because of the money.They rely on that product to do what they do every day.They also pick things they are more comftorable with. I mean a rod could be a higher quality than another but you may feel more comfortable with the less one. I dont think they would risk their career over a little less money.Cause im sure winning tournaments will provide a little more money than what an average sponser will pay you in a year

[Morelures]

Cadelta:

Im not sure what you consider a bad sponsor but Pros go with sponsors that they are not thrilled on all the time because the money is good. If Pepsi comes to him and says here is $10,000 put our logo on your shirt, more then likely the guy is not going to say but I like Coke. Often the pro will have an agency or a manager working for them that has a whole detailed sponsor information sheet ready for when people contact the Pro. The information sheet will tell the company how much it is to get the business logo on the pros shirt truck etc. Sure Pro's will hunt down sponsors they want but they will often take sponsors that find them, once again even if they are not thrilled on them. I don't think they would take a snoopy pole sponsor because it would hurt their image, but they would take a zoom sponsor even if they never throw zoom if the money is good. Pros make allot more on their sponsors then you may think (but then again it all depends on what kind of deal they have (royalties, flow, monthly, yearly, etc).

[boneil]

Is it possible that maybe kvd fishes with quantum out of a nitro because thats what works best for him, not what nitro and others pay him.  With all the success that kvd has had, financially, I don't think he sticks with a paticular sponsor becuase of the money.  I would think he could get paid just as much by any other sponsor.

[Morelures]

Sure its possible but Nitro is smart enough to know that they must pay him enough to keep him happy or he will go with another boat sponsor that is willing to pay him allot more (this is how he makes a good % of his money). If Ranger came and offered him allot more money, he would probably go with ranger once his contract was up. Even if his first pick is Nitro he is still going to use it as an advantage when making a deal with them, its business and to say being a pro isnt a business is like saying a car company isnt a business (they have to sell themselves). This is his job, he loves to fish and compete but he is out to make money and put food on his family's table just like everyone else.

[bilgerat]

Why does everyone lose sight of the fact that what brand of gear a pro fishes with has almost ZERO bearing on their success ?

As far as someone coming along and waiving more $$ in front of him to get him to jump ship, it doesn't always work like that. There's a relationship there that's taken a long time to develop. There is no price tag on that.

Now if, for example, Strike King sold out and the new owner cheapened the product to the point of it being an embarrassment, that may cause him to bail. It wouldn't be the first time that has happened.

[Morelures]

How can you say there is no price tag on it? Every sponsor they have on there shirt has a price tag on it. They either pay the pro to promote there company or they get a free product from them usually both for the top pros. Do you think I can call KVD and he is going to put my "new crankbait company" logo on his shirt, just because he thinks they are a good lure. Nope, there will be a price tag on that. And he may even have some type of exclusive contract with Strike King that prohibits him from advertising other crankbait companies.

Now Im not saying that any company could come along and KVD would drop Strike King, because he is building and has built a great relationship with Stike King. But there are many factors that would be considered more than likely if a company approached him with allot more money and a good product. This is what keeps the industry competitive. There are ton of independent lure makers that don't get the exposure that the bigger corporate companies do even thought the independent lure makers product may be better, because the smaller companies don't have the money to sponsor most of the top pro's. (not always but often)

Just like a sales rep considers selling another product if the other owner of that company approaches them and tells them what they have to offer. If what the new company has to offer is allot better changes are made, to improve that individuals living.

[Skeet22]

Wonder why this got moved to fishing resumes???

[Morelures]

I am wondering the same thing?

[Skeet22]

This has nothing to do with Fishing Resumes or tournaments....Oh well a good discussion appears to be done :-?

[Morelures]

I dont see anyone Looking for a sponsor in this post? And I dont see anyone's r ésum és? Maybe the person who moved your post will explain it, I dont have a clue.