Topic: sponsorship

[TheBossT127]

January 12, 2007 and I am happy to say that I made another agreement with Fission Lures to represent their products as a pro staffer. This journey into competitive fishing has been a lot of fun, even on the business side. Seeking out sponsorships is an arduous task, but perseverance is one of my best attributes and thus far I am at least getting opportunities. It would be great to be able to make a career in the fishing industry. I don't know if it can happen, but I will continue to proceed forward in that direction

[thefinaltimeout]

I have done well the past 2 seasons with sponsorship . Last year we fished for free . We had vest made then put patches with our sponsors name on them on the vest . We also gave each of them pictures of us on the boat to hang at their shops . last year we had 17 total 15 were paying at 200 dollars each and 2 that supplyed us with gear . Sofar this year they are all comming back . Thanks to them we were able to do a little more than if they were not supporting us . Later Bill

[Curt - NC]

Great work guys!

[TheBossT127]

Bill, very impressive. I think I went a bit too low with my money requests. I went all out and bought a professional tourney shirt and had it embroidered. That was $450 that I won't need to shell out this season, so I am going to keep my requests to them at the same level this year. I still didn't pay much money of my own to fish, but I want to move up to Federation tourneys this year.  I only wish I had more time to promote some of the manufacturer's that have supported me with free gear because I could earn some extra cash by doing so.

[HawgBone]

Hey I'm just getting into fishing tournaments and think some sponsorships would be nice. How did you guys start out with sponsorships? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Curt - NC]

You basically have to earn them the hard way.. by winning tournaments consistently over a period of years and then proving to the potential sponsor that you can help them market and promote their product as a professional spokesman.

For the first several years of tourney fishing, you're on your own nickel.

If you're new to tourney fishing, the best thing you can do is to join a local club and begin competing on the local level and then sign up for some local open tournaments. Once you've placed high in some of these and proven yourself at that level, you can look for regional tournaments to get involved in.

It takes time and a lot of hard work, but you have to start somewhere!

[HawgBone]

Thanks for the advice! It's hard finding any bass clubs here in central PA not too much water around, but I'll find something. Maybe I'll have to make a trip north and see how i'd do against you big guns! Once again, thanks for the help and I'll have to start looking around.

[Eric-Maine]

Years ago I drew a young guy from PA at a Federation divisional on the Potomac. He had quit his job the month before and was going pro. Triton told him that if he won the event they would give him a boat sponsorship. His boat at the time was an old 18' Nitro.  David had spent the whole month prefishing the river and he made the case to me that he had done his homework. I let him have the day, there would be more divisionals for me.

Anyway he pulled all the stops (he had about 4 lbs to make up) and moved from 5th overall to 2cnd. A few years later I was walking through a Walmart and hanging from the ceiling they had a TV showing a FLW weigh in from Beaver Lake. There on stage was that young man I had met on the Potomac holding a 100000 dollar check over his head. Current Ranger, Kellogg pro Dave Levbre.

[TinyTim]

Thats a cool story Eric, just goes to show, ya never know what might happen!