Question about Pros ???

[Captain Obvious]

The more I read about Boyed Duckett and e21 the more I wonder ?

How much do you trust pros when it comes to baits, rods, line etc........

I mean from my way of thinking would Boyed Duckett really left e21 if he thought that those rods were the best. I don't think so.

I understand that this is a business and that sponsors play a big part in a pros life but still you like to think that they are telling the truth when they say something about a product.

I'm not calling the pros a bunch of BSers just wonder how much of their none fishing related stuff do you trust.

[cabullwinkle]

I would say that pros are the face of the advertising market.  Without them, who is there really to get you excited about the product?  I will say though that these guys are the best in the world and they do know what they are talking about, but be wary of when they say something is their "favorite."  Based on their words, they have a million "favorites."  Also, a lot of the equipment we buy is researched by other companies, meaning that the makers of Daiwa, Shimano, Pfueger, etc have sure as hell ripped apart the competitors equipment to see how to make theirs better.  They are all using similar methods of construction and materials.

[flechero]

He said the quality has slipped...  so maybe he did think they were great previously.  I can't say.

As with ANY spokesman or pitchman, and that's in part what a paid user is, you have to read between the lines.  A rod may be great, great for him, the best for him (which can mean if also comes with a check) or whatever.  

And as always, best for you and best for me aren't necessarily the same.  Best for either of us and best for a paid pro is often different as well.  

[Busy]

I've often wondered what the pros would be throwing if they didn't have any contracts.

Also remember that the pros don't necessarily get to pick their sponsors.  A young guy on the circuit will get the sponsors that are left.  The top anglers may have their pick but I'll assume that they go after money when signing contracts.  Different businesses have different business models and some spend more on sponsorships, advertising, etc.

In general I tend to think of it this way:  The pros are getting paid to use certain gear, so they use it.  I pay to use gear, so I'm going to use whatever I want.  The best gear for me is the gear that I like best, and I don't really care what any pro has to say about it.

[Catt]

I place Pro Anglers in 2 distant categories

There are Pro Anglers who of necessity rather than choice select a sponsor; that sponsor by be their #2 or 3 choices.

Then there are Pro Anglers like KVD, Larry Nixon, Rick Clunn, Denny Brauer and others that can pretty much select any sponsor.  

It part of the sponsorship game and you play it to your advantage, I have friends who select their bass boats based on who pays the most bonus money.

[Eddie Munster]

Playing the devil's advocate: Who wouldn't take money and/or equipment from a rod/reel/bait company to peddle their stuff? If there was a negligible difference between Brand X and Brand Y, I'd go with whoever was offering the most equip/$$.

I'm sure the Pros can tell the slight difference between those high end rods/reels (with each other, not between the high end ones and the cheap ones) but can most of us? I know I can't. Hell, I doubt I can tell much (if any) difference between an Ugly Stick and a Carrot Stick.

Personally, I've yet to buy equipment/lures pushed solely by a Pro but I have purchased equipment/lures solely on opinions by you all. I come here for the straight skinny on equipment & tackle.  

[flechero]

I doubt I can tell much (if any) difference between an Ugly Stick and a Carrot Stick.

Are you color blind and illiterate?   ;D ;D

[Raul]

How much do you trust pros when it comes to baits, rods, line etc........

Never pay attention to them in that aspect, I purchase, try, keep/sell/trade/trash based upon my preferences.

Let me give you an example, let 's say I 'm watching a spinnerbait video of KVD the only thing I pay attention to is the tips and techniques he 's explaining about spinnerbaiting, the moment he says: "here I have this Quantum reel" all I hear is yadda, yadda, yadda ( background noise to which I pay no attention ) until he begins talking again about what I 'm interested in ---> information about spinnerbaiting.  

[D4u2s0t]

With any product, fishing related or not, there is some advertiser that is giving reasons why that product is the best. Every product out there is the "best" according to the people pushing it. THat being said, since people are paid to push the product, you have to take a look at the info available and make your own decision.  Look up product reviews, spec info, etc and base it on that.

[jimmieO]

Kinda echoing what a couple have said, I trust the high end guys because they can take their pick of who they want to be affiliated with, and if I was in that situation, I would choose folks who provided good products with good customer service. I like to believe that this sport has a very high percentage of folks who are good quality people of good character who would do the same. That being said, I don't see a whole lot of folks really pushing Lake Fork Trophy Lures like some other companies, but I think they make some awesome stuff.

I also trust Boyd Duckett now (not that he's not a high end guy) because he has proven that no matter how much money may or may not be associated with it, he will not push a product that he does not believe in.

[senile1]

How much do you trust pros when it comes to baits, rods, line etc........

Never pay attention to them in that aspect, I purchase, try, keep/sell/trade/trash based upon my preferences.

Let me give you an example, let 's say I 'm watching a spinnerbait video of KVD the only thing I pay attention to is the tips and techniques he 's explaining about spinnerbaiting, the moment he says: "here I have this Quantum reel" all I hear is yadda, yadda, yadda ( background noise to which I pay no attention ) until he begins talking again about what I 'm interested in ---> information about spinnerbaiting.

Well put, Raul. We can learn from the pros about fishing techniques but I pay very little attention to their product pitches. Check it out.

Do you wear Hanes underwear because Michael Jordan advertises it?

Do you drive a Buick because Tiger Woods is giving the pitch?

Do you eat Campbell's chunky soup because Donovan McNabb and the NFL moms supposedly love it?

BTW, I'm not bashing these people at all for pitching these products and making a good living doing it. I just take all advertising with a grain of salt. Research your product and buy what suits you.

[fishfordollars]

Money runs the show. Remember when Humminbird had the side image unit mounted for their pros. The Lowrance boys were running the Lowrance products and promoting them. You better believe that Humminbird unit was mounted under the dash or laying on the floor,  and was being used by a bunch of the others.

[George Welcome]

How much do you trust pros when it comes to baits, rods, line etc........

Never pay attention to them in that aspect, I purchase, try, keep/sell/trade/trash based upon my preferences.

Let me give you an example, let 's say I 'm watching a spinnerbait video of KVD the only thing I pay attention to is the tips and techniques he 's explaining about spinnerbaiting, the moment he says: "here I have this Quantum reel" all I hear is yadda, yadda, yadda ( background noise to which I pay no attention ) until he begins talking again about what I 'm interested in ---> information about spinnerbaiting.

Well put, Raul. We can learn from the pros about fishing techniques but I pay very little attention to their product pitches. Check it out.

Do you wear Hanes underwear because Michael Jordan advertises it?

Do you drive a Buick because Tiger Woods is giving the pitch?

Do you eat Campbell's chunky soup because Donovan McNabb and the NFL moms supposedly love it?

BTW, I'm not bashing these people at all for pitching these products and making a good living doing it. I just take all advertising with a grain of salt. Research your product and buy what suits you.

It's a simple uncontested fact: advertising works.

[Eddie Munster]

I doubt I can tell much (if any) difference between an Ugly Stick and a Carrot Stick.

Are you color blind and illiterate? ;D ;D

You know it......

Seriously though, I couldn't tell if you gave me a $100.00 rod and a $500.00 rod. I'm not that into the latest greatest.

If I'm in the market to buy a really good rod, I'll do my research on BR and pm some of you guys.

[Busy]

How much do you trust pros when it comes to baits, rods, line etc........

Never pay attention to them in that aspect, I purchase, try, keep/sell/trade/trash based upon my preferences.

Let me give you an example, let 's say I 'm watching a spinnerbait video of KVD the only thing I pay attention to is the tips and techniques he 's explaining about spinnerbaiting, the moment he says: "here I have this Quantum reel" all I hear is yadda, yadda, yadda ( background noise to which I pay no attention ) until he begins talking again about what I 'm interested in ---> information about spinnerbaiting.

Well put, Raul. We can learn from the pros about fishing techniques but I pay very little attention to their product pitches. Check it out.

Do you wear Hanes underwear because Michael Jordan advertises it?

Do you drive a Buick because Tiger Woods is giving the pitch?

Do you eat Campbell's chunky soup because Donovan McNabb and the NFL moms supposedly love it?

BTW, I'm not bashing these people at all for pitching these products and making a good living doing it. I just take all advertising with a grain of salt. Research your product and buy what suits you.

It's a simple uncontested fact: advertising works.

Of course it works.  But remember that it's designed to make the company money, not to put the best product in the consumers hands.

Everyone advertises, so you can take advertsing out of the equation when you are shopping.  Just like in math, when the same co-efficient is on the top and bottom of the quotient you may cancel it out.

So sure advertising works, for the company, not for you.

[Raul]

It's a simple uncontested fact: advertising works.

Yes it does work, I 'm guilty of falling under the charm of advertising more than once, actually at the very beginning of my bass fishing carrer I suckered many times, but the devil knows more for being old than from being the devil, with time and as you gain experience ( which costs you money ) you increasingly become less influentiable by it.

Anybody remember Magunum 7-20 and 14-40 ? the absolute worst fishing line I 've ever purchased, that belongs to the "Hall of Shame" ( I 'be been had by advertising ) of tackle.

So the bottom end is this:

If you don 't want to throw away your money whenever you plan on purchase something instead of trusting your feelings come to BR and ask ........ there 's a big bunch of us who have been suckered before you and you 'll be warned.  

[Catt]

It's a simple uncontested fact: advertising works.

Yes it does work, I 'm guilty of falling under the charm of advertising more than once, actually at the very beginning of my bass fishing carrer I suckered many times, but the devil knows more for being old than from being the devil, with time and as you gain experience ( which costs you money ) you increasingly become less influentiable by it.

Anybody remember Magunum 7-20 and 14-40 ? the absolute worst fishing line I 've ever purchased, that belongs to the "Hall of Shame" ( I 'be been had by advertising ) of tackle.

So the bottom end is this:

If you don 't want to throw away your money whenever you plan on purchase something instead of trusting your feelings come to BR and ask ........ there 's a big bunch of us who have been suckered before you and you 'll be warned.

Exactly

There are certain Pros I do trust who have the same beliefs about certain products that I have and there are many members here that I trust who have the same beliefs about certain products that I have.

I combine the two and make an educated guess; a few times that educated guess paned out to be nothing more than a guess.

[flechero]

Seriously though, I couldn't tell if you gave me a $100.00 rod and a $500.00 rod. I'm not that into the latest greatest.

Sorry, I just can't buy that.  ...lol  

Come fish with me once, and I'll prove to you that even if you have hands of stone, a well designed and executed build is quite noticeably more sensitive...

[Basilosaurus]

Also remember that the Quantum reel that KVD is using is not the same reel you or me can buy. Most of the pros reels are upgraded from the manufacturer. Balanced,polished. Abec 5 or better bearings, better drag.

Just my .02

[WRB]

If the product or product support is substandard no amount of advertisement will get customers to line up at your door often.

The difference between a pro bass fisherman and a weekend fisherman is sponsorship, the pro has learned to shell products, both know how to catch bass.

The top 10 in any sport can demand more money for their time and endorsements because they have a proven record. Most of the top pros that I know stick with products the work and support that product. When a product changes due to a change in ownership, product support or quality, then the pro makes a change. If another product is better and offers more money, then a question of loyalty comes into play, some will change and some stay with who got them where they are today.

Eagle Claw/Wright & McGill Co., is pushing to get back into bass fishing and regain prominence ounce again. How many pro's will leave the products that got them to the dance; Skeet Reese dropped Lamiglas for example. Lamiglas is a good product with exceptional support, but can't compete with Wright & McGill $$$$.

Time will tell if Skeet and others made a good choice; if the product isn't good or supported well, no one will continue to but it.

Tom

[Koop]

Looks at those laser lures that Ike promotes... those things are designed to catch anglers... not fish.  Ike says their great in his advertisement... have you ever seen him throw one?  Reading his book opened my eyes immensely to advertising.  I think I have avoided many advertising gimmicks, though I do enjoy the strike king tubes... if not only for the coffee smell.

There are also 3 types of anglers imo:

1) The anglers who must have the newest, most specialized gear immediately and are impulse buys

2) The older not necessarily more knowledgeable, but more resourceful anglers, who have been around, know what will work and what is a gimmick.  They tend to avoid much or the new impulse gear, sticking to the older more reliable gear.

3) The angler who is resourceful, has been around long enough to know many of the older tricks, have knowledge of the older methods and gear but still on the leading edge of technology.  They can identify who new items will work, how to modify them to work effectively and what are total gimmicks.  These anglers research a great deal and pick apart new gear.

I myself think I fall between #1 and #3.  I love new technology and have a habit of being an impulse buyer.  But I research everything thoroughly before purchasing it, read as many reviews as I can find.

Knowledge once again is the winner here, just because a pro advertises it, doesn't make it good.

[Raul]

Looks at those laser lures that Ike promotes... those things are designed to catch anglers... not fish. Ike says their great in his advertisement... have you ever seen him throw one? Reading his book opened my eyes immensely to advertising. I think I have avoided many advertising gimmicks, though I do enjoy the strike king tubes... if not only for the coffee smell.

There are also 3 types of anglers imo:

1) The anglers who must have the newest, most specialized gear immediately and are impulse buys

2) The older not necessarily more knowledgeable, but more resourceful anglers, who have been around, know what will work and what is a gimmick. They tend to avoid much or the new impulse gear, sticking to the older more reliable gear.

3) The angler who is resourceful, has been around long enough to know many of the older tricks, have knowledge of the older methods and gear but still on the leading edge of technology. They can identify who new items will work, how to modify them to work effectively and what are total gimmicks. These anglers research a great deal and pick apart new gear.

I myself think I fall between #1 and #3. I love new technology and have a habit of being an impulse buyer. But I research everything thoroughly before purchasing it, read as many reviews as I can find.

Knowledge once again is the winner here, just because a pro advertises it, doesn't make it good.

I started as #1 and I 'm not ashamed of saying so, the only thing I "regret" is having spent all that money when I could have purchased better , and I say "regret" in between " 's because I learned a bitter lesson.

Now I 'm #2 and #3. Don 't blow away my money that easily   ....... nodays the BaitMonkey is by far a lot more selective and it 's habits are increasingly becoming more expensive.  :-/

17 bucks for a Hudd 6" Weedless Trout .....¡ YIKES !   and FYI, I didn 't purchase only one.  :

[Koop]

Looks at those laser lures that Ike promotes... those things are designed to catch anglers... not fish. Ike says their great in his advertisement... have you ever seen him throw one? Reading his book opened my eyes immensely to advertising. I think I have avoided many advertising gimmicks, though I do enjoy the strike king tubes... if not only for the coffee smell.

There are also 3 types of anglers imo:

1) The anglers who must have the newest, most specialized gear immediately and are impulse buys

2) The older not necessarily more knowledgeable, but more resourceful anglers, who have been around, know what will work and what is a gimmick. They tend to avoid much or the new impulse gear, sticking to the older more reliable gear.

3) The angler who is resourceful, has been around long enough to know many of the older tricks, have knowledge of the older methods and gear but still on the leading edge of technology. They can identify who new items will work, how to modify them to work effectively and what are total gimmicks. These anglers research a great deal and pick apart new gear.

I myself think I fall between #1 and #3. I love new technology and have a habit of being an impulse buyer. But I research everything thoroughly before purchasing it, read as many reviews as I can find.

Knowledge once again is the winner here, just because a pro advertises it, doesn't make it good.

I started as #1 and I 'm not ashamed of saying so, the only thing I "regret" is having spent all that money when I could have purchased better , and I say "regret" in between " 's because I learned a bitter lesson.

Now I 'm #2 and #3. Don 't blow away my money that easily ....... nodays the BaitMonkey is by far a lot more selective and it 's habits are increasingly becoming more expensive. :-/

17 bucks for a Hudd 6" Weedless Trout .....¡ YIKES ! and FYI, I didn 't purchase only one. :

Thats one great thing about bass resource.  Without it I would no doubt be probably 80% #1 and 20% #3.  But with it here, I like to think I'm about 40(#1) and 60(#2).  I still impulse buy more than I probably should, but at least I have more knowledge from members here in a direction I should focus my impulses  

[Blue Streak]

Advertising is informative for sure, it keeps us up to date on the latest technologies. But I have a hard time believing a guy who is getting paid to tell me how great a product is and how it improves his fishing. I rely on the advice and opinions of my peers and most of the people on this forum. I think for the most part it is good, honest information.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

great advertizing would be a pro who endorses these products sending you one free to try .I mean if its that good it should work as they say .i will say this though Ragetails are what they say they are and more