sponsers

[outdoorkid]

hoping to possibly get sponserd in the next 2 or 3 yrs if i do well and i was wondering how i would go about doing that
just thought i would ask on hear because it seems a lot of u guys are sponserd

[OUTLAW]

That depends on what you mean by sponserd. There are alot of guys that are just patch pirates, that will do anything too say they are sponserd. If you want a good deal you need to learn how to sell yourself and the product that you are pushing. How you finish in tournaments is not that important.

[motocross269]

I don't understand this obsession with Bass fishing and sponsors...There are more questions on these forums about how to get sponsors than how to win a tournament.  I have been involved with some high dollar sports...Motocross racing,,,car racing...Off-road buggy racing..and I have never seen anything like this. As I have said before I have been out of TX Bass fishing for a long time.  I know it is an expensive sport and everyone is looking for ways to pay the bills..but for what It costs for other sports it isn't that bad...The whole stren qualifier series is only 4 tournaments..Imagine having a top level Mini-cycle racer and carting Him all over the country to compete in National events every weekend and paying for home schooling on top of that..So I really don't want to hear how expensive Bass fishing is..  If you really wanted to finance your sport you could probably make more money working part time at a marina or sporting goods shop...How much do the top BFL / NBAA level guys get for sponsorship money??...I bet you will find it isn't that much.  I am sure most guys just get product.  A sponsor isn't going to make you any better at fishing..Time on the water will.  Just as Outlaw said I think it is all about the Patch..I am sure there are some hotshots that get backed pretty heavy, but they are far and few between and they probably have some type of affiliation with either a Marina or tackle supplier. 
I have been wanting to vent on that for awhile...It is not a dig on you by any stretch of the imagination outdoorkid..It seems to be the way in Bass tx fishing now..Bass Resource even has a whole forum for getting sponsors. 
I am going to fish tournaments to score well..I have set measurable goals for the year and will do what I have to do to achieve them.  Really a sponsor at this point wouldn't really help me.  If I needed money there are other more profitable ways to earn cash then through sponsorship. 
Have fun, Fish hard the sponsors and benefits will come.

I know I am new and I may not know what I am talking about, but I have never seen a sport where people are worried about getting a ride and they haven't even built a track record yet.....As I have said before, If bass fishing had Sponsorhouse.com whomever started it would be rich, because obviously sponsorship is a major priority in this sport.  (Even more so than winning)

[kgr624]

Moto,
         Now point well takin. And I was one of those guys who posted a sponsership thread and it is not that it is expensive but it is the fact that your winnings would be the full amount instead of saying to yourself alright I won $1300.00 here is $200 for entering, 60-100 for hotel, 100-200 for gas and maybe 40-60 for food. Now, instead of profiting 1300 bucks you only profit 800 or so. Now I put up a post about a month ago and I have actually recieved enough sponsership due not to my fishing skills but my marketing skills to pay for all my tournament entry fees which will be close to $5000.00. Now I know you know all about that because I used to race motocross and I played college football and Baseball so I know about winning and whinning about paying for hobbies. But this is my perspective on why Sponsership would be nice to have and is why I wondered about sposerships. On the other hand I care about winning and I look at every tournament as a chance to prove I can fish and not that I have decals and logos on my shirts. So that is my take on why it is nice but not essential to have good sponserships.

Ken 

[smbassman]

I have been involved with some high dollar sports...Motocross racing,,,car racing...Off-road buggy racing..and I have never seen anything like this.

Maybe you haven't checked boat prices lately, but I would consider bass fishing a high dollar sport. Not to mention the $200+ rod and reel combos, $15-20 lures, respooling 5-20 reels every other weekend, travel costs, fuel, oil, maintenance.  If I quit bass fishing today and invested the money I would have spent - I could probably retire 10yrs earlier.  But I know I'd never make it that long without bass fishing 

Now, I agree with you about sponsors.  I think fishing related sponsors at the low levels will cost way more than its worth because there are so many eager fisherman willing to wear a $5 patch they buy and receive a $3 pack of baits for payment. 

[Skip Johnson]

way too few cash sponsers out there mostley just product at a discount then your obligated to that company and working shows, just go fishing try to earn a name for yourself and dont wear patches unless that company makes it realy worth your while.
if your that marketable your sponsers will come to you!
if you have to ask where to start your too new to the sport and need to spend more time making a name for yourself!

everybody wants to be a friggin paid pro, get in line your number is 1.999.000

[OUTLAW]

WOW! I thought I was the only one that felt that way. You guy's tell me if this makes you shake your head when you see it. The guy that has a 5 or 6 year old boat and wears a shirt from that boat brand, you know he paid top dollor for the shirt form the mfg. I understand that there are programs that pay extra for wearing the shirt at certain tournaments, but do ya have to wear it every wear you go even pre fishing.  that funny.

The problem with the sponsorship programs today are that to many companies use them to move product. I know for a fact the a jig head mfg in the area put as many guys on his "pro staff" as he could to sell more product give a guy a patch and he will wear it. I don't care if he has to pay for it.

It is a smart move by the mfg's they sell a guy a boat at dealer cost, still make as much $ as if they would have sold it to a dealer for, and they get free promotions out of the deal. The dealer gets a free saleman, and gets a kick back at the end of the year. Who Wins. The dealer and the Mfg.

[Skip Johnson]

for the record I have been offered $150 a day to work shows in the past so its not always a "free" salesman BUT how much do you make a day at your day job?
its not worth the $150 a day if your taking time off or taking time away from the family just for discounted product or a few grand off an inflated boat price and theyre not offering you entry fees or matched winnings using and promoting theyre product.

dealers know how bad peaple want sponsers and recognition and they take total advantage of it.

heres a perfect example ardent reels offered me a pro staff position last year, they would give me a 40% discount on $250 baitcasters=$140 each, I had to use only theyre reels, I keep 13 baitcasters in my boat so I would have to come up with $1800 to be on theyre pro staff oh I almost forgot the funniest part they would sell me my jersey at a 40% discount as well

theres two lines peaple the desperate sucker line and the I just want to go fishing and see what happens line, which one are you in?

I can tell you the desperate sucker line is getting longer every year.

also just for the record if you realy like working fishing shows or just like meeting tons of new peaple and you have the free time and dont mind risking getting little reward I will be the last guy to give you a hard time for your effort.

good luck.

[TCook]

   I agree with the advice given so far.  I see that you are 16 years old and thinking about how to get sponsership, seems like you are getting way ahead of yourself there.  I didnt start fishing tournaments myself until I was 19 and I wanted instant success as well.  But my friend thats not how it works.  Tournament Bass fishing is the most competative and expensive sport I have ever been involved in, and I think most guys on GLB would agree. That being said how would you logicly think sponsership is a possibility or in your best interest?  KVD at that age was likely just beginning to make a name for himself, and anglers like that are 1 in a million.  I do not want to discourage you in anyway, think big, make good decisions, and spend as much time on the water as possible. In due time if you have what it takes like the other guys said they will come to you.  
   I myself just got back to tournament fishing and all I want to do is get better and learn from the best. Which is what brought me to GLB, and you being on this forum is a step in the right direction.  These guys know what they are talking about. I dont care about sponsers one bit, does not even cross my mind.  Actually if a fellow angler is sponsered and tries to pitch that product to me I lose interest fast,  I view them as just a salesmen. I am not saying I would never buy that product I would just need other feedback. What impresses me with a product is when guys who are not affiliated in any way recammends it because it works for them not because they get paid to promote it.  If I ever got to the point where I could be sponsered I would never promote a product that I am not 100% in love with and used in the past to get to where I am at. Dont lose that motivation Kid, its what will get you to the top of the food chain in this sport.

T

[motocross269]

I guess my take on Bass fishing is it has to be fun first.  The money will come, if that is one of your goals.  All sports are expensive, but that is the great thing about Tournament bass fishing there is a level for everyone.  I joined a club this year, and I am sure I will probably have just as much fun, if not more, at the club tournaments then I will at the BFL.  I want to work my way up to Stren that is why I am fishing the BFL. 
I wasn't really trying to slam anyone on the sponsorship issue...I just don't understand the Mentality of it I guess.  I know it is an expensive sport, but maybe guys are fishing at levels that they can't afford or are ready for..Maybe fishing is puting undue pressure on them instaed of being what it really should be a fun sport.
Trust me I am very competitive, and like to win, but I bet if you look at the most successful guys they are having fun.

One other thing..Outdoorkid as I said this is no where near a dig on you..I am just  basically a new outsider in the sport looking in.  Check out bassresource.com they have a whole forum on sponsors and also sponsorhouse.com. You can sign up there for free and there is some pretty cool sites that will give you some ideas. 

[outdoorkid]

the thing is i dont care if a get paid well i could get paid 5 bucks week by sponsers just as long as i get to get my name out their as well as get their name out their and so i can meet other anglers who would be on the same team so i could learn from people that i would prolly in other situations never get a chance to talk with

[motocross269]

One more thing..sorry I am on my soapbox.

If I was, let's say, a tackle distrubutor. I would sponsor, Web sites like this, Tournament organazations, Clubs, and Large events.  I would get way more bang for my buck than sponsoring individuals and not have to deal with the liabilities tx anglers can become (sometimes)(Iaconneli for example).  I can make you wear my patch by hooking up with the tournament organazation, then offering contingency money based on finishing position.  I am not talking the elite level,,that is a whole different game, but at the regional level. I know a couple of companies that already do this. Very smart move really.  
Let's take my club for an example..You can be a major sponsor of our club for 300 dollars....Your name will go on all of our Open tournament fliers, Banners, newsletters etc.  You will basically get the promotion of 22 anglers for that price...Not bad....Anyone interested  ( LOL)

[BASS FISHERMAN]

this is da ways i look at it 
i buy a boat an the man gives me a hat i weer it 
if i buy a fishin pole an its cumes with stickers i puts it om me boat 
ifin i buys sume tackles an it cumes with a stickers i will putts on me boat
nevur nevur nevur will i buys sumeones pro shurt to weers out thar wheen fishin 
nevur nevur nevur getts down an beg fur monnie eithur 
i earns me own monnie an i pays me own fees 
full sponcer monnie all goin to big shooturs on the tours 

PRINCE CRAFT BOATS RULE 

[Skip Johnson]

Kid
Bass fisherman hit it right there I recomend you do as he does follow his lead and join a club or circuit, clubs are usualy cheaper and much more personel with monthly meetings and in addition to that I recomend that you talk to a boat company or tackle vender and let them know how much time youd have to dedicate to them if you do have some time, if you dont know where to start I can tell you a good place is at the shows, alot of owners and managers work theyre own booth and sometimes they need a guy to fill in.
start somewhere around there building your resume who knows you could be like zona and get into a little different career centered around the fishing industry.

[outdoorkid]

thanks for all your help guys your advice has helped a lot and i think i know how to go about this now thank u guys

[motocross269]

Join a club...I just joined my first Bass club this year and the other members have really made me feel welcome.  The members ages range from around 17 to over 60. They have a great tournament schedule and they are all willing to help out. I am really looking forward to fishing with them this year.  Some clubs have junior programs also.

[blakstr1]

Let's take my club for an example..You can be a major sponsor of our club for 300 dollars....Your name will go on all of our Open tournament fliers, Banners, newsletters etc.  You will basically get the promotion of 22 anglers for that price...Not bad....Anyone interested  ( LOL)

Good Job  

I rep for sponsors and am Pro Staff of some for basically 1 reason, I enjoy it, plain and simple.  It's just another way for me to talk about fishing with other people that enjoy talking about fishing, it gets me through the off-season, and maybe just maybe I get a little reward for my efforts.  Sometimes the rewards are bigger, it varies.  Someone mentioned just have a good time and I agree.  I used the products from the companies I endorse, before I endorsed them.  It makes its easy to talk about products I know and trust.

Which reminds me, everyone come to the Fishing Extravaganza at Wonderland Marine West, the #1 boat store in Michigan, and look for me and the Savephace / Fish Hedz booth!    if nothing else I know I can direct you to the free hot dogs!

[outdoorkid]

i am joining the nbaa this year hope to see some of u out there im not sure what division im fishing yet tho

[OUTLAW]

What part of the state are you from?

[djkimmel]

Okay - I'm glad this thread 'softened' a little. We have to remember not everyone thinks exactly like me/you. Some people just enjoy working shows... talking to other anglers about products. Some people enjoy doing seminars. Some people enjoy the challenge of promotion, self and/or product.

Some people, once in a while, even make it to the big time, and I won't ever completely decide he/she will never make it, because you never really know for sure especially with a young person, what they may be capable of.

KVD had people telling him to get a real job. That he was throwing himself away. Some people just have to work in the area they most love and maybe with some hard work, they will work themselves into a job that, while maybe they aren't the next KVD, they may be a lot happier than a whole lot of working stiffs out there.

Some people making their living from promotions, we've probably never heard of, but they are doing what they love now. We may never hear about them, but they go about making their living - enough to make them happy - quietly because they learned and persevered in something important to them.

I will listen to anyone who has a dream even if it isn't to be the next KVD, but to just have an interesting and challenging relationship with a few companies to offset some cost and/or do what they enjoy doing. I don't want the young and new people on this board thinking they will be ridiculed if they want to be a 'patch pirate' (I have my own idea about the emotions really behind why people use that term).

I've seen some decent anglers - by decent, I don't necessarily mean fishing, but maybe just really nice people - give up or get discouraged after they had the initiative to go out and grab what interested them personally, only to be 'attacked' by other not so decent people who ridiculed and taunted them for no really good reason. I hate seeing that happen.

You can make a living in the fishing industry without being KVD many different ways. Or you can just subsidize the cost so you don't feel so guilty maybe when you look at family, bills, etc that you think or are told you should use your 'regular' money for. Or maybe just do something you personally really enjoy doing.

I for one would REALLY like to know how kgr624 was able to so quickly come up with so much money to cover a year's fishing. Who the heck wouldn't like to know that trick, especially when you consider the rising costs such as gas in particular. Maybe you can now afford to fish twice as much or don't have to 'justify' the expense to anyone (including yourself).

I never let anyone who asks me think it will be easy to be successful. Like anything else, for most of us, it is hard work. Many will not want to do it, or have different interests. But for those who think they want to do it, I will always give them the benefit of the doubt and tell them what they need to know to get started pretty bluntly too because it is a brutally honest pastime.

What I definitely will not do is discourage them from even trying if they seem to want it. I will never ridicule, poke fun, or do anything to make their personal choice seem like a dumb one. Because I know, to some it is a serious interest, and I have seen what a few people who don't want to or can't do the sponsorship route do to these people out of nothing more than meanness, jealousy, envy and other bad intentions.

We have a number of young people on the forum. Neither you nor I truly know that they don't have what it takes, or won't get the breaks to end up doing this for a living, so while it doesn't hurt to pass out a dose of realism to what is mostly available and how it works, don't shoot them down right out of the gate, or ridicule, or even discount what it might mean to them, or what their personal interests and idea of fun might be. I know I won't.

outdoorkid, I would suggest you search the www.flwoutdoors.com articles on sponsorship - I think it was Rob Newell that did a series for aspiring pros a while back that was pretty informative and realistic enough to get an idea what is involved. Being a good speaker, good writing skills, being a 'people' person all help. Believing in products you want to promote also helps. Knowledge is power, so make sure you learn as much as you can about sponsorship all the time.

Search the Internet. There's weeks of reading there. I have a bass tip on a few things to consider here: http://www.greatlakesbass.com/fishing/basstips.html

Maybe you decide it is worth it to you. Maybe not. Just learn as much as you can to decide with. Also, be creative. There are many ways to skin a cat, and there are probably still ways to get support - if that is what you want - that haven't been tried yet.

My recommendation is to first look to companies whose products you already use and have faith in since that would make you a sincere spokesperson with integrity. I hear some people will think you only say what you do about a product because you are 'paid' or get it free or for a big discount, but most people can recognize sincerity and honesty when they hear it.