Walleye companies checkbooks.....

[Hooks]

Why does it seem the walleye industry is behind the times of promoting growth of the sport. I watch the bass stuff on TV all the time and it seems the companies on that side spend more money to promote everything. I saw the RCL thing on TV and it looked like some of the companies are trying to get there feet wet a bit. Are they really conservative or do they think walleye fishing will just grow on it's own. I guess I wrote on this topic because I have read some other post of people having troubles getting sponsorships and other companies writing in saying they get hundreds of applications and they need this and they need that before they sponsor anyone. Is this just an excuse to take care of themselves or htere good old boys? I would have to believe there are plenty of qualified people to sponsor isn't there? Just a thought of mine, don't you have to spend some money to amke some money?

[Sponsor]

Many fisherman looking for sponsorship have little interest in the product for which they have applied to get sponsorship from.
Many are merely looking for some company to help finance their dream, and to be able to list names of those who do "sponsor" them, in order to give legitimacy to their status as a "Pro".
It is a very difficult scenario to break into when one is starting out. Unfortunately, pro fishing is just like any other professional sport. This means you must prove yourself first. Furthermore, sponsors look at folks in light of their potential to sell more product.
A neat, clean, articulate, loyal, and personable person (male or female) that can promote a product effectively, genuinely, and continuously, is what sponsors are looking for.
There are a tremendous number of excellent fishermen out there, unfortunately, very few have enough time and money to get out there and get established to the point where the sponsors become interested. Established meaning not just fishing success, but also establishing the good image and marketability that it takes , as well.
Professional Bass fishing has been around a much longer period of time and there are still more bass fishermen than walleye.
Thus, there are more tournaments and more exposure for the "Pros"
which in turn give the Bass Pro more opportunity to do something for his sponsor. Thus, there are more sponsors.
Walleye fishing is growing and will continue to grow, but may never make it to the heights that organized bass fishing has, simply on account of the location of the walleyes and the walleye interest. You will notice that there are Bass tournaments year round. It is simply the climatic factors that may end up being the limiting factor.
Great strides have been accomplished in the last few years, and growth will continue. Sponsorship, however, will never be easy, unless you are Mel Gibson and can fish like Seelhoff.

[walleye Guy]

I agree with you totally. If Walmart would dish out the kind of money they do for bass fishing and make the payouts better then more people would fish them. I fish the USFA Team Walleye Tournaments and believe me I NOT out there just for the money but you cant even pay your expenses by fishing them and placing. I recently finished 5th in one of the Team Walleye events and only got a check for #160.00 now divide that by two and you only get 80.00. That doesn't even cover the gas for prefishing and the tournament. Again let me stress I'm not in it for the MONEY I just like to fish and I like to fish competitively. If you could get some big name sponors to support some of these tournaments then more people would be recognized. Alot of the big name fishing sponsors don't look at tournaments like that because they don't have enough people fishing them. I have fished as a pro in the PWT but lets face it. To run as a touring pro you need to have at least 30,000 just to fish all 6 tournaments. Some of these big sponsors need to look at supporting some of these smaller tournaments where guys can afford the entry fees then they can prove themselves and move up to the PWT. I will say that the World Walleye Association is doing a great job of trying to get there tournaments off the ground and the payout is a million times better then Team Walleye. I do have some big name sponors that help me out but not many are willing to pay you unless your a big name on the PWT which is fine because I appreciate everything every sponsor does for me whether its with money or just a good discount on products.

[Chad]

Hooks,
There was a good article in the Walleye Insider on this topic.
If you look at Bass vs Walleye you will find that Bass fisherman outnumber us walleye guys by a good number. Probably 2-1 or more. A good number of manufacturers have products which cross over for all specis of fish. It makes sense that they are going to spend a larger % of their marketing $$$ on the Bass guys.

[Fuzzy]

Why would Walmart or other large retailers be motivated to increase payouts? The walleye market is growing but it just isn't as big as the bass market. That's just the way it is.

They will only invest to the point of return, which will always be less than the bass world.

[Hans]

>Why does it seem the walleye industry is behind the times
>of promoting growth of the sport.

Gee, I'm not so sure I *want* to see any growth. Every time I go out there seems an ample supply of walleye fishermen on the water. I don't know what company is paying them to be there though. Nobody pays me; I'm happy to do it for free.

Hans
--
I like to skate on the other side of the ice.

[T-Mac]

Hey Hans! If I could even figure out how to do it "free" I'd be way ahead! ;-)

[Mike Michalak]

Just an FYI in comparing walleye to bass.

The latest research numbers available show bass anglers to number 12,708,000 as compared to 3,276,000 for 'eyes.

Mike Michalak
Fishing Hot Spots, Inc.

[sponsor2]

As a manufacturer I'm sick and tired of being approached for sponsorship. It's about time that anglers wake-up and learn the basics of economics, nothin' for nothin'. In many cases the anglers that are solicitating sponsor dollars are asking someone to pay them to fish. Wow, what a great deal, I want that job! The last thing we in the industry want is to rent space on the "clown jackets". We view sponsorship as advertisment, and the only ad benifit you get from pro-sponsorsip is the number of advertising impressions they get you and the benifit they provide in selling product. Here is a good cost vs. value chart to use. A seminar impression is worth $250 per 1000 people in attendance. A radio product talk (more than just a product mention) is worth $.0008 for the listening audience for the program. A TV product endorcment is worth $.005 per household. A major magazine article on a product is worth $.01 per subscriber. A "good" pro can easily earn $7-$15K per sponcer using the above formula because they catch fish that earns them free ink and they use the ink to promote and sell products. It's basic cost per impression. A patch on a jacket has little if any value. The walleye industry was had their wallet open for a long time, unfortunatly it's been picked clean by a bunch of all-show and no-go anglers.

[Hans]

If my son, or my buddy Kaz, or some old geezer on the launch ramp brags about a product, I'll tend to believe them. If some fellow with 31 patches on his jacket and a boat covered with decals brags about a product, I'll suspect he's being paid to say it.

Hans
--
An employer once said,
- "What if I train my people and they leave."
- "I say, what if you don't train them..... and they stay."

[Chad]

For you math wiz's that is 3.88 to 1. Sounds like we need to do a little more recruiting and stocking.

It would be interesting to know what the ratio would be for walleye angler per walleye lake vs. bass angler per bass lake. I would be that we would get a little better showing there. Bass are more prolific then our walleyes.

[Weyes1]

Actually what we need is to make the walleyes as stupid as the bass are. Better yet is get the gene that makes bass hit anything that lands in front of their nose and incorporate it into the walleyes.
Bass are the easiest fish to catch and walleye are some of the hardest fish to catch.
Not hard to figure out why more people fish for bass.
My views.
Weyes1
Kevin Clark

[Sponsorship vs Advertising]

We view
>sponsorship as advertisment, and the
>only ad benifit you get
>from pro-sponsorsip is the number
>of advertising impressions they get
>you and the benifit they
>provide in selling product.


Came across this segment in the book "The Nascar Way -- The Busines That Drives the Sport"

THE SPONSORSHIP PHILOSOPHY

"Sponsorship is a form of marketing by which companies attach their name, brand, or logo to an event for the purpose of achieving future profits. It is not the same as advertising. Both stratagies seek the same end result -- corporate profit -- but go about it in different ways. Advertising is a direct and overt message to consumers. If successful, it stimulates a near term purchase. Sponsorship, on the other hand, generates a more subtle message that, if successful, creates a lasting bond between consumers and a company."

Perhaps valuating sponsorship as simply advertising neglects the intrinsic value of who the sponsor and sponsee are.

[Hydro]

The sponsor remarks make total sense and I understand their point of view. It is very frustrating for up and coming pro's to bear the burden of pro's that may have left a bad taste in the mouth of sponsors who thought they could receive good advertising... Add a tight budget and that is the state of the industry. I have been an outdoor writer for seven years, now writing in five magazines, have a booming internet site, do a radio show, member of the NPAA, fish the PWT, involved in promotion at the shows, I reach upwards of 2 million per year and try to uphold the integrety of sportsmanship at all times. I feel I probably won't make the break through until I win the big one. I understand that and don't expect anything more. Until then I'm going to scratch and claw just like someone fishing their first local tournament... You have to say one thing about this sport... it certainly can be humbling!! Sometimes it seems as though to be a good pro that last a long time, you have to have an extremely high frustration tollerance and be the last one standing. The comforting thing though, is 95 percent of the anglers we fish against are in our boat! It really is good to see this many sponsors reading the board and communicating with us. Thanks guys!

[Terry/JNR]

The sponsor companies have a good point, particularlly about loyalty to the company. I know of some pros that have "jumped ship just because of a better offer. However, I think in any kind of sport that the pros are dependant on sponsorship, you're going to see that. Like now there are a lot of OMC pros looking for another motor sponsor. Talked to a rep yesterday and he said he's never had so many guys looking for sponsor assistance that are saying "I've been considering your product for quite a while now." I'm sure some of the pros with good public visability will get it.
On the other hand, I know that there are a lot of guys that would work as hard if not harder for the company, and are beleivers that the products they use are the best, if given the chance. Obviously, dollars in the pocket is what makes the difference. The guy with a job he has to go to every day just to make the boat payment, then deal with the other "unimportant" monthly bills on top of it, won't have the dollars it takes to spend time on the water, at shows or events, yet might actually do more for a product if only because he beleives it's the best product to use.
To fish any amount of tournaments, show up at sport shows or any other events for even one company takes a lot of time (off from work) and out of pocket money.
I've been trying to juggle this for a couple of years now, and even though I have the oportunity to take any time I want or need, since I havn't gotten to the stage and collected any checks, the check book is pretty flat. I think that this year will see me at only a couple of tournaments and wait and see how the season ends. I won't quit fishing tournaments, but may not be able to do an entire circut. Fishing tournaments is a total adrenalin rush!
One thing I've noticed too, is that the time you spend just fishing winds up to be less and less. You have to put every available dollar into keeping the equipment upgraded and feul in the gas tanks. As much goes into the vehicle feul tank as does the boat, too, even during the off season. Less time on the water turns into less time to experiment on different bodies of water and using different techniquies and presentations which results in less experience to do better in tournaments to try to get a check.
It may sound as if I'm whining and/or compalining but, that's not the case. I'm simply pointing out, from personal experience, that if you don't have the $$$ to invest, it's an awfull rough road to climb to get the public awareness that's needed for a company to invest in you.
One point I wanted to make in all of this, is that I think the companies should try to look at some of the not so big profile guys and take a chance on an investment. Marketing skills, which are greatly needed, can be learned if a guy doesn't already posess them, given a chance. I know there are some on this board that would work well for a company and a couple that aren't.
You can't just give up though. That monster hawg is down there someplace! You just have to keep plugging away till you find her.
Just my 2 cents worth from my perspective.

[ed]

there are some really good points from both sides.i cannot agree that patches and decals have no value though.the company i was involed with had their endorsed tv and radio pros.but they did not ignore the local pro who was willing to promote the company in exchange for discounts. most of the time they were long time users of the product so the loyality was there. these local pros spend a vast amount of time promoting fishing through kids days ect. when a person like this is having an impact on young children and likely a lifelong angler,i would be delighted that he was wearing my company patch on his jacket. from the business standpoint this local pro just gave me a lifelong and loyal customer.

[Hey Sponsor 2!]

Sponsor 2 could I get the source for the stats you quote? As a pro fisherman I have searched for such bench
marks a long time. If you don't want to publish them here send it to my email please.
rmellon@telusplanet.net
Thank you for actually putting numbers and dollars together. I get ask many times a year how to get sponsors
and I keep repeating you have to have a value to the sponsor. Your numbers prove that the writing and
promotions off the water are the most valued and this is not the answer most fishermen want to hear.
Thank you, Rich

[Anonymous Sponserie]

I decided to remain anonymous for this posting as the sponsors themselves who decided to respond have done so.

I have been sponsored in the past by several manufactures. It is becoming more difficult to obtain sponsorship within the industry. I do not fish any of the Pro Tournament circuits but do guide. I think that guiding is one of the attributes sponsors do indeed look at. Guiding sponsorships are nothing more than a discount on a product. Please beware there is another side to this coin. Other guides will look at your sponsors. In many cases will wonder how YOU got a deal. In turn they may find it necessary to smear your name. Therefore making it difficult to obtain and maintain sponsorships or grow your guiding business. Guiding is very competitive. Established guides do not want to see new competition. Especially someone who has a boatload of sponsors. If you are seeking sponsors as a guide I wish you luck but be aware of a possible backlash.

I have never sought out sponsorship for a product that I did not feel was the best out there. Yes I have switched electric motor, rod, reel, tackle, and boat sponsors. The reason for switching has been that after getting experience with other manufactures products I felt that someone else had a better mouse trap. In one case, my switching was the result of a sponsors "budjet restraints". Which is another issue. These sponsors demand that you be loyal and dedicated to their product, and they should. At the same time it seems that they should have some loyalties towards there represenitives. Most do. It is disturbing to bring a new "Pro" type angler into the folds of one your sponsors, only to have yourself get dropped because your former sponsor suddenly does not have the required "budget". I suppose then what they are telling us is that we did to good of a job of promoting them.

I feel that my years of experience with some of these products can be beneficial to someone who is looking for a good rod or reel etc. Therefore my participation on this site. I believe only in promoting a product that is top of the line, in value and quality to a fellow angler irregardless of a companies level of sponsorship within the industry.

In summation. If you are seeking out a sponsorship in the fishing industry be prepared for rejection and ****ation. You have also got to be prepared to be dismissed only as a rep. of some company. Therefore have your input dismissed as that of some manufactures represenitive. Is it worth it? I don't know.

[Observers-a-lot]

I am not a pro but I have been in the industry for awhile. I am one of those persons who learns a whole lot just by "watching" what is going on. This is what I have learned through my observations (sorry if I am stating the obvious to some of you):


1) Practice makes perfect

A lot of anglers get on stage and get an awful case of stage fright. They get quiet. They forget to mention and thank the sponsors who helped pay for them to be there. It is not intentional, just a case of stage-fright. Most anglers have the opportunity to say something when they are on stage, they just haven’t learned how to use it.

What they need to do is to figure out a "short-but-sweet" speech and practice it to the point where it becomes natural. Then when they get up on stage, they won't forget because it is "engrained in their brain".

Then they need to confidently walk up on stage, no matter WHAT kind of a terrible day they may have had, and turn it into a great event! They need to smile and talk to the crowd-take control as this is the one brief moment they get. They have to learn to NOT let it pass them by...

And if something interesting happens while they are fishing the tourney, they need to learn how to incorporate it into their already well-rehearsed stage speech. Crowds LOVE stories, and it will draw more attention to their short and sweet "sponsor speech".

Be a showman! All the other sports have them! Anglers-even the most successful pros, need to learn how to develop a better stage presence…This is an area so MANY anglers lack in. They just don’t know how to have that special stage-presence.


2) First “impressions” are important. So are second and third and fourth...

An integral part of marketing and advertising is to brand the name of a company through visual and audio impressions. The more an angler can say and show their sponsor's name/logo, the more value they will give to their sponsor. Each time anyone hears or sees their sponsor's name/logo/product it is an impression.

They need to get on stage and walk the walk, talk the talk. And when they get off the stage they need to promote themselves through the various media events. Write articles. Send out press releases. Take photos and send them to magazines, websites, etc. Get an interview with a local TV show or newspaper. BE PERSISTENT. And always ALWAYS mention their sponsors!


3) Win-win is the key...

Nothing is free. If an angler wants something from a sponsor they need to figure out what to exchange for an equal or greater value. Then, they need to not only show the sponsor what they can do for them…they need to DO IT for them. If an angler’s whole intention is to get a free ride, it won't happen. The sponsor (rightly so) expects something in exchange. Anglers looking for sponsorship need to come up with a business plan to present to a potential sponsor to show them the value they will give them.

Then, they need to follow through and give them what they promised.


4) Don't quit your day job.

I have heard many anglers who love to fish complain that if only they could get a job in the industry “then they would be able to fish more.”

I have heard many people who work in the industry complain that now that they are in the industry, they don't have time to fish!

So be careful what you wish for.


5) Loyalty IS everything.

In this day and age of competition for everything: time, money, attention, our society has become spoiled. There is always going to be something “better” lurking around the corner. If an angler is with a sponsor they believe in, then maybe they need to stay with them, eh? No matter how sweet another deal looks.


My other observations:

I have met a lot of people who I would put in the "Can be a Pro" category-they just need a little coaching.

I have also met a lot of people (including current “Pros”) who unless they make a concerted effort on changing the image they project to others, will not be able to get (or maintain) sponsorship no matter how good of an angler they are. After all, sponsors need “field-reps” who have the ability to sell. And if you can't sell yourself to a sponsor, how are you going to sell their product for them?

If I were looking for someone to promote my product, I would look at the following professional criterion:

Is the individual:

Even natured?
A good role model?
Willing to work with kids' promotions?
Willing to promote themselves along with my product?
Articulate?
Able to "clean up good"?
Intelligent?
Humble?

The best sponsored-pros I have seen are not always the best anglers. But often they are some of the best people.

I think walleye angling is actually going in the right direction-it is just taking a little while to "get it right." I think in many ways, it will surpass the bass field.

Sponsors such as Wal-Mart are stepping up and taking advantage of this market because it IS working for them. So even though you can fish bass in the south year-round, I believe walleye fishing is going to keep growing! Just think of WHERE the record walleyes are being caught, too? Just my thoughts...

Good luck all!

[Peluso]

I was avoiding this tpoic for a while and I would like to add a couple of thoughts to it. Many people here on Walleye Central know me as the Hockey/Fishermen. I like this and feel it is an important part of my marketability. I am still considered young at the game, but also use this to my advantage. I have to admit, I've been very lucky to have people like Rick LaCourse, Scott and Marty Glorvigen, and Mike McClelland to hang around and learn from. All these guy's have strengths and when I am with them I act like a sponge. I absorb everything I can to help me move my fishing career forward. I look up to them for the things they have done in fishing and they look up to me for my hockey. It is a great relationship because I know I will not be able to play hockey all my life. Having friends with the respect they have is a very special thing to me. The one thing these guys have preached to me from the start is to be an ambassador for the sport of fishing. I try to do this each and everyday, hoping to touch someone's life along the way. I recently published my own website of www.mikepeluso.net I am just starting to see how I affect people in both area's of my life. I can't even begin to tell you how many emails I answer giving advice or telling someone I can make a school appearance or talk to a child at a hospital etc. In fact last night I had a teacher in the Massachusetts area ask me to write a story telling her classroom the importance of school. She said many of her students played hockey and fished and were fascinated with my website. Some of the students even went as far to say they wanted to play hockey and fish for a living like I do. I don't blame them, I figure I am living out a dream and enjoy every minute of it. When I read these posts about trying to get sponsorships and why the companies are tight it gets me to thinking. I know from experience what it is like to be told sorry or no. I don't go home crying about it, I just continue on and figure it is the company or persons misfortune. You have to have this kind of confidence in yourself to be successful in anything you do. I feel hockey has prepared me for this many times over. I have a great example of this in a story written about me on my website, in the press release area. Failure is what makes life interesting, either you learn from it or you drown in your sorrows and get nothing out of it. It is your choice to do with it what you want. I have been asked many times how I get certain sponsors to help me out. My answer is the same, I work very hard at it. They don't usually come to you, if you want something bad enough you have to go out and work for it! Don't expect the fishing companies to fall at your feet begging you to represent them. You have to go out and make it happen, build a reputation and be a leader. I know I am in the public eye more so then many of the top fishing people in the country. It goes hand in hand when you are a professional athlete with another tag of a touring walleye fishermen. This attention is good for me and I believe it is good for all the people I represent. So if you are someone aspiring to become a pro walleye fisherperson with all kinds of sponsors and fame. Start slow and gain the respect from everyone around you, be a role model for the youth and never look down at anyone. What gives anyone the right to make someone with less fortune feel bad or inferior. I don't, and nobody else should either! I hope this sheds a little light on what can go on in the fishing world. I have said it before, you have to find your own special place in the fishing world to pull yourself away from the pack in a recognition type thing. Mine has been fishing/hockey and being able to relate and talk with people young and old. Find your calling and use it to the best of your abilities! I know this is long but what the heck. :) Good fishing and don't forget to shoot the puck. Mike Peluso #999 www.mikepeluso.net

[sponsor2]

Lets take my formula and apply it to the In Fisherman (since we currently advertise there) so I can put impressions to dollars. I said a TV indorcement is worth $.005 per household. In Fisherman has a household reach of around 600,000 homes on a good Saturday am play. A 30-second spot sells for around $4k, thats $.0066 per household. The in-show product mention will be less impacting that a 30-second commercial because FCC demands and regulates it. My $.005 requires a pretty strong hit inside the show.

I give seminars a $250/K because the people in attendance chose to be there, they went out of there way to get there and they have a deep seated interest in being there so they are qualified and rated high as a potential target (customer). The unfortunate part about seminars is they are just about worn out, when I first started on the road for a major tackle company back in the eary '70's there were very few of us giving seminars and lots of people attended. Now every one with a fishing rod and a patch are on stage talking and in many cases it's a big rehash of old stuff. Thus the crowds are very skinny.

Magazine article I give $.01 per subscriber for a editorial on a product. In Fish charges around $9K for a full page-4-color add. An ad is designed for impact so everyone that picks up the magazine and thumbs through gets hit. An editorial on a product is only read by around 20%of subscribers, and by the very nature of it being editorial and not sales copy it has less overall impact, thus my valuation.

Radio offers hugh numbers of "listners" but it is so shot-gun who knows if they are qualified buyers or not. Radio is intended to Brand a product name and not drive sales, thus my low value rating.

And the real bad news for people looking for sponsors is the collapse of OMC, and the major ad cut backs of Berkley, Pradco, HumminBird, Lowrance and Zebco. This has taked tens of Millions of ad dollars out of play. There is lots of TV and print space available that these companies have cancelled that is being sold at a 65% discount from the numbers I mentioned above.

Just like the Dow Jones the fishing industry has become performanced based. No more pie in the sky, just deliver us impressions that cause people to buy our products. amen

[Rich]

Thank you for your insightful answer.
Rich

[Johnnie Candle]

Mike,

I couldn't have said it better myself. I have been in this game for quite sometime now and feel the budget restraints as much as anyone. I never had a "real" or should I say "reel" job. Yes I do make my living entirely from the fishing industry, and yes it can be done. Would I like tohave more, you bet! With every budget cut or negative resonse comes an opportunity to show a company how you can help them do more for less. Being innovative and trying to not copy the other guys has been a key ingredient to me doing this for this long.

Yes, I get nervous when companies like OMC go under. They have been there forever and who would have ever thought that we may never see another Johnson motor again. Who could it be next. But as in life, we must take things in stride and do the best we can with what is available to us.

My rule of thumb with sponors is just as it is with everything else in life. Be trustworthy, loyal, and honest and work alittle bit harder than the next guy and you will never want for much.

Good luck to all of the newcomers out there as well as the rest of my peers that already know what the rest of us are talking about.

Keep the line tight,

Johnnie Candle

[MURFA]

I would like to thank everyone for commenting. I have learned alot from what was said on this topic. I am a fairly young guy but I do understand what it takes to become a professional fisherman. One thing that I have seen first hand is that a pro fisherman that doesn't know how to fish I believe can hurt a sponsor. Their was a local pro from my region that had all of the sponsor's in the world. The only problem was that most of the decent fishermen in the region knew that he didn't have a clue. He made kind of a mockery of himself and his products. Going on his marketing skills alone just wouldn't cut it. I would like to thank Johnnie Candle for his comments. Hey Johnnie, I know you used to live in my region (I read a few of your articles.) Just want you to know that West Branch still has hawgs and Mosquito and Berlin are still pumpin' out numbers. Good Luck to everyone on the PWT this year. I'll see you in a few years. MURFA

[Terry/JNR]

Hydro, good pitch.
I think if you seriously fish, you automatically have a high frustration tolorence and lots of patients.

[Mike Michalak]

INITIATIVE is defined in Webster's New World Dictionary as..."the action of taking the first step or move; responsibility for beginning or originating. (2) the characteristic of originating new ideas or methods; ability to think and act without being urged."

Lately there have been hundreds of posts on this subject across the net. Everyone looking for that one "in" to a potential sponsor. I've said it on these pages before, but don't have to here because much has been listed by the anglers/sponsors ahead of me. Some of it I don't subscribe to, but I'm entitled to that opinion, just as you are.

All I know is, the one thing that's REALLY missing out there is initiative. Get a sponsor, show up at a function, do the job, go home, an all too common practice. Imagine what might happen if you submit a sponsorship request with and idea or two specifically designed for that business? That tells me you can think...or at least will think about what you're doing. You're not a robot. If they want you to be a robot, forget 'em because you won't be happy.

Right now is the busiest time of year for most operations and the expression "timing is everything" is dead on! Now is NOT the time to approach a company. They have massive business plans, sports and trade shows, new product introductions and the list goes on. The last thing they want is to be bothered by some "fisherman." Sorry for being blunt, but that's the way it is boys and girls. Your fishing success is 10% or less of what that company exec wants to have.

We have sponsored pros. We have a field staff. It's well planned out, executed and successful. Unlike some companies we're fortunate enough to not have a species designated to our product. We can go anywhere at any time and be "non-threatening" to other manufacturers. That's why we work so well with Ranger, Mercury, Mepps, St. Croix, Berkely, Johnson, Airguide, Lowrance, Navionics, Garmin, Raytheon and others.

We don't have the budget to have a ton of guys/gals running around the countryside as "reps." The first time one of these people is treated as a "rep" in this company I'll discontinue the program. They're more important than that. They're our eyes and ears out there in the real world. They not only talk but LISTEN to people. That intelligence is brought back and we can draw conclusions and make decisions from it. This is called work.

Our checkbook isn't deep. We make one product, a good one, but just one product. It's very hard to use our map of Lake Minnetonka on Little Bay de Noc. We have to be creative. Our advertising is extremely targeted. We have a plan. We do explore opportunities from time-to-time but for the most part we stick to what we've put together. A lot of our support is at the point-ot-purchase. All of you have to go into a store someplace sooner or later and we have to make sure we're noticed. We need to offer our vendors some added value and that's where a sponsored "pro" comes in. He/she can confidently walk into that store knowing they have our full support and can "talk the talk" because they've "walked the walk" in fishing. Sure, they're a good angler but that isn't the reason they're at that location. It's to educate the fishing public.

So, if you've made it this far you might be seriously considering a shot at working with a business in this industry. Good. Take a look at yourself in the mirror and ask "what can I do differently?" "What can I bring to this deal that someone else can't?" In other words, do your homework. Make sure the letter of introduction has someone's name on it. Make sure it's perfect and for Heaven's sake don't call them!! I'll tell you flat out, I don't write down a thing or return a call from someone seeking a "sponsorship." It's no where near a priority right now for anyone of us on this end of the pen.

Ladies and gentlemen, heed the words you read from the people in these posts. I recognize some of them and you can learn from their experiences. Understand and accept the fact that what you're starting on is an uphill battle that can take years. Continue honing your fishing skills and when you're off the water, master the communicating, writing and forward thinking processes that will help you achieve your goals.

Mike Michalak
President
Fishing Hot Spots, Inc.

[Terry/JNR]

I'm going to pull a few quotes from all the current posts and see if I can get an outline of sorts and of course add my thoughts.

"There are a tremendous amount of excellent fisherman out there, unfortunately, very few have enough time and money to get out there and get established to the point where the sponsors become interested."
Discounting myself, I know of at least a couple fisherman in this situation. Some have even made it to the stage more than once in tournaments, but time and/or money prevent product marketing away from the tournament. Most of the time spent not at a tournament is spent working to make it to the next one.

"In many cases, the anglers that are solicitating sponsor dollars are asking someone to pay them to fish."
To a point, yes, but isn't that where the product gets the most public visability. When it's used for fishing. If you don't fish, you don't use a fishing related product. As for "getting something for nothing", that's probally a percentage problem. High or low, I don't know. The company rep for the area that the pro works should be able to look at his record, if already established, and determine value to the company. A guy just starting out can be interveiwed and if he looks as though he might fit the bill, he could be put on a probationary program. Even just one season can tell a sponsor if this guy has the potential to be an asset to the company.
A guy just starting out may have a pretty slim budget to work off of, though. I don't think a sponsor has to pay his way to fish tournaments, but maybe cost reimbersment to work a show if he has to travel and even rent a room to stay in the area. Also, if a guy shows promise, don't just forget about him. As with any job, learned experience and productivity should be rewarded. I think this could be some of the "jumping ship" problem, too.

"If some fellow with 31 patches and a boat covered with decals brags about a product, I'll suspect he's being paid to say it."
This is true, at least to some extent. I think, especially with all the interst in national sports, the average guy realizes that all the patches and decals had to be earned, maybe not by winning tournaments, but at least thru product promotion. My experience on both sides of the fence is that a consumer will at least look at the product next time he's in a sport shop or at a show, providing he has at least a passing interest in that type of product to begin with. And if he doesn't, the buddy he tells about it might.
Most of the sponsored guys that I know, use the product because they think it's whats going to help get them get that pay check. They can't afford to use a product that doesn't work for them. I know I only use products that I feel are going to help me get on more and bigger fish, or to get there faster and more comfortably. Everything from the boat and motor to the clothes I wear to the thermous that I carry my coffee in to the ropes I use on a spesific anchor. If you stop and think about it, whether you're a sponsored pro, a guide or you only fish a few weekends a year, you use products that you feel will put more and/or bigger fish in the net. Pros and guides actually are more carfull to do this because they depend on the products to bring in a pay check.

If there are some pros that, to a sponsor, appear to be asking for "something for nothing", the sponsor should evaluate that pro and if thats the case, weed him out. A sponsor should also look at a applying "starting pro". Maybe he'll fill that open spot and do even a better job.
I think a lot of people do take national advertising with a grain of salt now days. I know I do. If you look at the general market, whether it's fishing related or house wares, it's getting advertised to death.
I think that personal contact, whether it's a sports show or just talking to a guy at the ramp, is just as productive as some commercial spots. I think the public wants more personal contact with a company spokes person who actually uses the product.
This board is an indication of that. Guys are comming here to look for advise on products rather than taking the word of an instore sales person. Even though you can't see who's telling you about a product, it still seems more personal because you can come back in a day or two and get more information from the same person, who generally has hands on experience with a product.
The "pros" have been somewhat beat up on this post but, I think they should get a lot of credit. I've gotten a lot of product information at the tournaments I've been to and if you were to pick out a couple of fisherman at a tournament, you'd see them spending a lot of their time talking to the general public. They do it at the ramps, in restraunts, at gas stations and the motel they're staying at. They put off going out on the water prefishing, for sometimes a couple of hours, to show one potential buyer how a particular peice of equipment will help him catch fish, or be safer while on the water.
I know I've spent many hours at a boat ramp, and even taken a guy or two out in my boat to explain why I prefer to use one product over another. You walk into Walmart to get a couple of jigs and spend 45 min talking to a guy about a reel he thinks he'd like to buy, but just isn't sure, all the while your wife is standing there giving you the "lets get out of here look". Maybe you talk him into a different brand altogether.
The guy with the patches now on his jacket more than likely was doing this before he even got his first patch.
I only have 2 "patches" so far, but I've been helping people decide what product might work best for them for as long as I've owned a boat. I enjoy doing this. That's why I'm so frequent on this board.
I think just as much product is "sold" in a personal contact situation as is sold by national media.
This post is getting a lot longer than I wanted and I've got to go sell some more product. Maybe a boat or motor, but maybe the type of line I prefer to use.
My point on this last part of my post is that maybe sponsors need to pay a little more attention to what their people in the feild are doing, or not doing, for them.

[Mike Michalak]

Terry/JNR --
I agree. Your summation at the end says it all and that's why I have the bulk of our advertising budget at the store level. Getting people in there gives you something advertising can NEVER do...and that's provide information you can quantify!

With an ad, it's a crap shoot. With a personal contact it's a number, a true impression and quite likely a customer.

Mike M
FHS

[Fish-on]

Terry--my compliments on a thought-provoking and well thought out post. I agree that just wearing those patches isn't worth any more than the person behind them. If the person wearing those patches is trustworthy and loyal and respected, they do carry a lot of weight with consumers.

I've seen Roland Martin fishing in, and promoting, Ranger boats for years. Heck, 30 years ago, Roland was the person who crawled through the window with Forrest Wood while the Ranger factory burned to the ground. They retrieved the new boat orders, and Forrest fasted a phone to a tree in the yard and called all those people and apologized that their boat would be late, but they would build it. The first time I saw Roland in a Triton Commerical I just about died. I lost a lot of respect for him. Right or wrong I don't know, but I feel that loyalty is underrated by most people in this industry.

I just lost off-shore tackle as a sponsor after 6 years. Am I going to go buy Yellow Bird boards or go seek a Yellow Bird sponsorship? No way. When I stood up in a seminar and said I use Off-Shore boards because they are the best, I said it because I mean it. Can I now stand up in a seminar and say that Yellow Birds are the best? Would you believe me? How much is my personal integrity worth? Guess I'll just have to pay for my off-shore boards now, but I was on their team because I believed they are the best and that hasn't changed.

[To Roland's Defense]

I believe that your example of Roland Martin's situation requires review. As I recall, Roland was fired by Ranger for making a comment about Irwin Jacobs in a Sports Illustrated article. Roland was quoted saying something, in the context of a discussion on the merits or lack therof of the FLW tour. I believe he sadi something like Irwin Jacobs is out for Irwin. Was it a smart comment? Obviously not. In the context of being questioned about Irwin Jacobs "taking the sport to the next level" was his comment accurate? Probably. In any event he was fired for his comment and there was another boat company ready to take advantage of his popularity (and candor). My point in all this is sponsorship is a two way street.

[T. Ryan]

Question for Mike Michalak;

This hole Sponcership program is about one this $, right or wrong.
Right now thing's are busy for you because of the time of year so you said don't bother me about Sponcering. Time for you to make your $ and that's why you are in business. I can tell by your post you are a #'s kind of guy and for business hard #'s are facts not just something someone talked about. Researh firms are big business and #'s talk louder than anything. Sales come from people seeing your product, be it in the field or your product name on someones shirt, hat or boat. Like you said when someone walks in the store you need to get there attention so that's where you spend the most $. Lets face it, most people don't even know about Pro Fisherman or every get a chance to see one or talk to one. So why would a business give product, patches or $ for "advertising" ah that's what it's called advertising a walking talking advertisement. The #'s show a small "very small" percentage of sales come from a group of guy's getting together at a walleye event with patches on there back. If company X has it's products name at the event a percentage of people that come to the retail store will see comapany X's name again and purchase it because they saw it before, putting more $ in the company pot.
Let's not kid around, business is hard and only the strong make it. To business poeple "sponcers" are a walking advertisement that need to pay back in $ or those programs get cut.
So don't bother company X right now it's time for them to make some $. But be there when they need you because you are a small % of his proffits and they will pick the best advertiser they can get for the least amount of $.
Ever fill out a servey - where did you see our advertising ? not to many people say on a guys head or back.
Mike, this is not a personal attack on you or your business whatever it may be, just getting the hard #'s out.

[Mike Michalak]

T Ryan...
I can only speak for our company and the field staff and pros we sponsor helping people to fish by providing information that will make them successful. We are a "where-to" company and if some product is sold along the way that's wonderful. They'll find us.

Because when these people get into the sport, they'll have a better understanding of what it takes to get a fish in the boat. It's not the lure or rod or technique as much as it is the location. Knowing where and how to find them is more than half the battle.

I must disagree with your assessment of timing. Let's say your a sports reporter and want to interview Kerry Collins during the third and two play in the second quarter of the Super Bowl this weekend. It's not gonna happen, is it? For much of the nation, fishing is in a short season and we have to "make hay when the sun shines." Right now, we're in the second quarter.

We don't parade people around in an effort to make money. As I said in my post, we work with our people and don't "use" them. And you may think I'm a numbers guy, but I'm about as far removed as one can get and still hold a title. I'm in the trenches everyday. Ask anyone here. I'll be at shows, at in-stores, taking boxes out of the warehouse, on the phone with customer support, towing our company boat to store parking lots and talk fishing, because I can catch fish too. I may not have a big name and patches all over the clothes. Like many others out there I have one sponsor and a product I believe in and use all the time. And we do ask people where they've heard about us and we hear all the time..."at that seminar...he was doing a demo at a Fleet Farm...I recognized him in the mall and we talked." Happens all the time.

You want hard numbers? Give me ONE good person in front of TWO attentive ears and we've got a pretty good shot at a customer and then repeat customers because they're going to talk up the experience. It's up to us to keep them. That person, wearing our colors, is doing the job they signed up for. It's a win/win situation.

Mike Michalak
FHS

[coldfront]

From a sponsor and tournament angler ---

Ninety-five percent of competitive walleye anglers are fishing tournaments as a hobby. It is their passion to fish, compete, and surround themselves with others that share this passion. They are content to purchase their own equipment, pay their own entry fees, fish competitively; and then go quietly back to their "day job" on Monday morning. If you are one of these guys or gals, consider yourself fortunate that you do not have to bear the pressure of paying your bills via your tournament winnings or perpetual solicitation of industry sponsorship money. Be proud that you are supporting your own "fishing habit". You are in the vast majority, and you are having the most fun!

It is a misconception that the "professional walleye tournament anglers" are being highly sponsored by industry money. It simply is not true. The vast majority of "touring pros" buy their own boats, motors, and related equipment; and they pay their own entry fees and road expenses. Yes, there are exceptions; buy not very many of them. Many have sponsorship affiliation, and are supported to some degree with memo billings, discounted prices, and trade-outs for their time. A few have modest cash retainers. But, they are for the most part funding their own endeavors.

If you want sponsor dollars to support some of your fishing expenses, go for it! Sell sponsors on what you can do for them in exchange for their support. The best promoters get the dollars. Be creative and bring us new and innovative ways to sell our products. We recognize that many of our best promoters are at the "grass roots" tournament level. It is a great niche.

We want association with people that can promote fishing in general. We want people that can enhance the reputation of our company and the credibility of our products. We want people that have time to talk "one on one" with the entry level fishermen at the landing, time to take kids fishing, and present a professional profile that enhances our reputation as a company.

Good Luck! Fish for Cash, but Fish for Fun!!

[Tommy Mac]

There it is!

[ezmarc]

I love reading this stuff, but it sounds to me like the pie is not big enough for everybody that wants a piece. I'm the guy that all these manufacturers are trying to reach with their products. The only sticker I have on my ungodly expensive boat is one that says "SHUT UP AND FISH", that I got at the Huron get-together.

I spend thousands of dollars every year on lures, ramp fees, motels, gas, maintenance to my truck, magazine subscriptions and boat accessories. I rarely buy a product because of ads I see in the magazines, almost never because of commercials on TV or because of stickers on boats, trailers and truck windows. However all these things do catch my eye and then I watch for people that actually use them.

I do buy them though because of comments that friendly pro's, and friendly fishermen make while I'm talking to them at ramps, where you can actually see the end results of there efforts. Not all of the pro's you run into are friendly though, some are downright rude, and that can unfortunately turn me against a product, at least until some other friendly soul can talk me out of boycotting them. I sometimes leave a ramp wondering how their sponsor would feel if they knew what kind an A-hole they had representing them.

Would I like to be a full-time, professional, money making fisherman, you're darn tootin I would, but then again I'd like to date Cameron Diaz too. Dreams are good, but fishin for the fun of it is good also. Pro just sounds like work to me and I already have a good job that I like. Just sell me good stuff and back it up!

Have boat will travel

[Backwater Eddy]

Do you think that 3-1 ratio reflects the cold water period that restricts walleye boat anglers over much of the walleye's habitat.

The BASS folk's have a more widely dispersed critter to chase so there are more geographical areas to fish an a wider time frame to do it in.

Given the same circumstances the walleye demographic would be much closer to the Bass I suspect. With that said, consider if there are limits to the expansion of the walleye game due to seasonal and geographical restrictions?

BE.....><ND>

[Someday]

I met someone on Tuffy's "Tuff-Team" last fall at a boat ramp. He spent an hour there talking to me and showing me his Osprey. He also spent time answering all my E-mails. He took me out in his boat at a later date. Because of this person, my next boat will be a Tuffy Osprey 1990DC.
Stephen

[cmb]

not just hard-water period but also geographic distribution and other habitat requirements. I know quite a few country-folk that have a nice bass-bluegill pond but none who have a walleye lake!
more fish+greater distribution+greater diversity of suitable habitat+longer fishable season= more fishermen targeting the species. not to mention the fact that they aren't quite as dificult to catch on a regular basis.

I fish bass and gills a about as much eyes becuase I can stop by a pond-lake or stream for 30mins or an hour on the way home from work. Can't do that for eyes.

[Ted Takasaki]

As a tournament angler and the President of Lindy-Little Joe, I believe that I can give you all a point of view from both sides of the fence so to speak. There have been many good comments on this thread and I would like to start with the Pro Angler's side.

As a Professional Angler:

1st - Credibility is absolutely critical. Use products that you are confident of and don't receive sponsorship by companies who's products you don't believe in. I have turned down offers to promote products for more money or for products that I am not a believer of. I have had the majority of my sponsors for years: My first sponsor - Lindy-Little Joe/11 years, Stren/11 years, Mercury Outboards/11 years, Bottomline/10 years, Ranger Boats/10 years, MinnKota/9 years, Pinnacle/9 years, Flambeau/7 years, and Aqua-Vu/3 years. I treat each of these relationships as a long-term partnership and value each of them dearly.

2nd - Hard Work!!! I go the extra mile to give my sponsors value. When I was working at Hewlett Packard, I made it a priority to treat my fishing business as a 2nd job. I worked 8 to 10 hours a day at HP and then 3 to 4 hours on my fishing business. Don't quit your day job, because I can tell you that the money doesn't come quick, nor early, nor often, nor is it guaranteed. I have followed the same ritual since working for Lindy...it's a grueling schedule but believe me, I love it!

3rd - Commitment. When John Campbell and I almost won our first MWC Championship back in 1990, I knew then that this is what I wanted to do. I committed myself 150%. An understanding family and employer are critical to accomplishing your goals because you need to be prepared to spend weekends and almost every available minute away from home on speaking engagements, tournaments, outdoor writer trips, TV shoots, photo shoots, sponsor product sessions, dealer calls, etc.

4th - Plan. Make a long term and a short term plan for yourself. Set goals and achieve them. Do a little more each year for your sponsors as you can and set new goals. I plan what I do and do what I plan.


As a sponsor:

I look for all of the above.

1st - Be a good ambassadour for the sport. Be friendly, courteous, and smile. You never know when someone's looking.

2nd - As one sponsor before said it so eloquently, I cannot remain in business without sales, and impressions for my products are the only way that I can measure a pro staffer's value. In addition, I don't know what my pro staff is doing unless they let me know. Annual or quarterly reports are a must.

3rd - Dealer calls. This was one area that no one has mentioned. Take time to stop into the tackle shops to introduce yourself to the fishing manager. Smile and introduce new products or show his staff how the products work. Then let your sponsor know what you have done.

4th - Take initiative. Promotions, editorial, Photo shoots, taking outdoor writers out, etc. These activities all take initiative on your part. Doing these on your own to promote your sponsor's products without him having to tell you is a real plus. If your sponsor is like me, I don't have the time to be calling you remind you to do all of the things that you should be doing.

Well, I took more time that I intended, but I hope this is of help to all.

Good luck and good fishing,

Ted

[Swamped]

Mike I think you are right on! I have seen you in action many times the past few years, and I have nothing but great things to say about you. You are a great role model to all and my kids tell me all the time they want to be like Mike Peluso! I tell them this is a great person to be like. A word to all, you can learn from this young man, he has a great head on his shoulders. Thanks for making my life easier in raising my kids, they are always wanting to go fishing or play hockey like Mike Peluso!

[enuff]

done