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| How do you get sponsored for Muskie fishing. I know that some of you are sponsored, so, how did you get it and what does it ''really'' mean. |
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Location: SE Wisconsin | Gaining sponsorships can come in two ways, either you can reach out or be reached out to; other times it's who you know. Many of the lure co. don't respond well to people reaching out to them. Quite honestly, guys who make a name for themselves by speaking at seminars, being successful in tournaments and professional guiding not only have their resume' to back their game up, but it also brings them in contact with lure manufacturers at shows and tourney events. It's not only the lure manufacturer contacts that get them through the gate, though, the "who you know" concept is also a stepping stone for many. Other companies, such as Frabill and St. Croix, allow you to apply for a spot in their pro-staff by submitting a resume`.
I'm fortunate enough to have gained monetary sponsors for the tournaments I fish through Club Paragon and Lee's Cleveland Pub & Grill. A lot of sports bars sponsor dart, softball and volleyball teams, so I was fortunate enough to fit in as the extremely diverse team that fishes. I'm extremely thankful cause it saves me thousands of dollars, and I give back in other ways than simply wearing their logos - And no, I'm not an alchaholic (I don't think  )I gained those connections through networking. I was fortunate to become a part of Musky Magic Tackles Pro-Staff after meeting Doug at the 2007 Milwaukee Musky Expo when I purchased a bulk amount of his Slidin' Shads custom for my groomsmen in my wedding. We began talking about mutual waters and my sincere appreciation of his baits, we got out fishing and so it from there. Not much has changed in how often I promote his lures either, they mean the same to me now as they always have. My point, don't pick a lure out, contact the manufacturer and imply that if he throws some baits at you, you'll promote for him.
Edited by Sam Ubl 6/16/2009 1:27 PM
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I have quite a bit of experience from both sides of the Sponsorship issue. Some of the following is opinion, some is dead reality, labeled as such with an R and an O.
R: You need to be able to sell yourself AND the sponsor's service or product.
R: You need to know the game, and all the rules spoken and unspoken.
R: You need to be able to display strong potential to acquire a strong presence or already have a solid footing in the Sport.
R: You will need to fish competitively or be EXTREMELY high profile as a media type or Guide, if you want 'top level' sponsorships. It would help if you can write. If you can't, find a ghost writer who can.
R: Your sponsorship level will directly reflect your perceived value to the sponsor. Aspire to excel.
R: Learn how to use a camera. Use it. Allot.
R: Respond to media respectfully, be delighted you are approached, and make sure you are well groomed and dress for the part. Again, many manufacturers have this as part of the contract.
O: You will need to be able to communicate well on your feet out in the public.
O: You will not EVER denigrate any competitive product, service, organization, or person in public. (nowhere else in the fishing business is this worse than the Muskie trade... in this age of immediate electronic communication how can these guys think the sponsors don't almost immediately HEAR this stuff??) If I put my acceptance label in for you with one of our clients and they accepted you as a Promotional angler and you do that more than once, I'll make a phone call and you are done. I'm not unique in this instance. Many manufacturers spell that out in the contract you may have to sign.
O: You will need to learn the difference between 'pounding your chest' and promoting the 'product' that is you. Your name is the brand, and your achievements and ability to use them to promote and sell sponsor brands IS the product.
O: You had better have a very thick hide.
There's probably more, but this is a good start. |
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Location: SE Wisconsin | Great points, well put Steve! |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | There are very few free "sponsorships" out there. Very few companies are willing to give you free or reduced price merchandise just because of who you are.
Nearly all of my "sponsors" are more of a working partnership. I receive a discount on their product and in turn I do promotional (the real "pro" in ProStaff) work for them. Telling a company that you catch x amount of fish, or I caught one that was xx"s long, or even I fish tournaments or guide, is not going to get you very far. These companies are in business to stay in business, and the only way they can do that is by selling their product. On the subject of cash sponsorships...well, lets just say its not very likely.
If you are serious about gaining sponsorship from a company the best way to do that is by approaching them with a resume, within which, you state what you can do for them. If they find your offerings appealing they may decide to partner with you. |
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| Well said Steve
I would like to add some thing also one thing that makes it very tough is the fact that musky fishing has no venue that promotes the angler and / or his sponsor. Some of us hope the MAC will be that venue. But for now unless you can be a high profile personality you will be hard pressed to find a larger sponsor. The Musky tackle industry is not going to be a finacial sponsor they can help by saving you money on tackle ( Pro Staff ) but they dont have the funds to actualy sponsor many financialy if anyone at all.
One thing is for sure you will need to have tuff skin a Steve said and WORK your but off to get any type of help.
I wish you the Best of luck!!! |
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | Great advise Mr. Worrall.
Now I have a better understanding of why even my mother won't sponsor me!!!!!! |
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Posts: 80
Location: Clintonville, Wi | catch a 57x33 |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Won't help you if you are a schmoo. |
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Posts: 313
Location: Bemidji, Lake Vermilion | I am in the process of starting a fledgling part time guide business. Lots of great info from lots of forums on that. My brother is a "resort guide" on Lake Vermilion and almost exclusively takes resort guests on trips. He has been averaging about 60 fish seasons between himself and resort guests, most of which only hook about 25% of their chances (at best) and most are rookies at muskie angling. He still has to spend well over 50% of his time on other species. We are looking for sponsors/prostaff opportunities.
We have fished the Hartman Vermilion tournament for 3 years, placing 4th last year and well enough to get 10th place for team of the year in 08. These have been our only tournaments so far. We are wondering if attending a top notch muskie show to advertise a combo of resort/guide service and meeting industry people would be a reasonable start for sponsors/pro staff opps? We would have resume's as well as some attractive photo logs and stats going back for at least 3 years (this season will make 4).
We will be in the MAC Vermilion and Hartman Series Cass Lake events this year. Look forward to gauging against some of the best muskie anglers alive. I live in Bemidji so between my brother and I we have a broad base of water for guiding. If properly prepared, would a show like the MN Muskie Expo be a starting point? Do we need to promote more/network at the tourneys more this year? We would ideally like to get on some Prostaff's at a minimum as we could benefit greatly from just reduced prices on some gear and feel we'd bring a lot to the table. We are really just starting but with a lot of promise. Any advice is great. Thanks. |
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Posts: 31
| Getting sponsored to do what actually? Go out and musky fish? The fish of 10000 casts turned into the fish of 100 threads. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Here is my sponsor program:
1) If you make your living (can't be your part time hobby on weekends) in the fishing world (Professional guide, own a lure company (even my competition), Show host, Magazine (fishing) owner/executive, happen to be a saltwater Gaff girl model, resort owner, fishing website owner, DNR, Fisheries biologist, Aquaculture sales man, etc.) I will work with you on professional pricing for my "stuff".
Never saw the fairness in a lure/rod company only giving 4-6 guys free lures while the other 800 get nothing. We used to run this program when I was in the bar industry in college and it worked well for everyone. I got employee prices at almost every bar in Cedar Falls/Waterloo Iowa and most of the competition got employee prices at our bar Shagnastys. Good times for everyone 
James
Edited by Tackle Industries 6/28/2009 6:30 PM
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Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | This is really good info. |
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Posts: 313
Location: Bemidji, Lake Vermilion | Nice tip Tackle. On top of the other details I mentioned in my earlier post, I hold a BS Degree in Aquatic Biology from Bemidji State University and my parents own the resort on Lake Vermilion that my brother guides from, it should be passed down through the family (just me and my brother). I still work fulltime for now and the feedback/info I've gotten is that's a good idea until I am 100% positive that I don't need the job or income it provides. That doesn't mean I can't be impactful in the fishing community nor that I shouldn't reach out to industry contacts and see what happens.
I am employed in the marketing industry and pretty well versed on business promotion/personal promotion. I think I could help lots of companies promote and sell products and that with increased exposure both guiding and with tournament success that would only get better. Remember, I am just talking about a start here, and believe I have a decent one but am simply looking for advice from those who've done this already. Is that not what what these forums are about, sharing advice and experiences? |
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Posts: 295
Location: Southern Ontario, Detroit River and Lake StClair | I have a couple working sponserships in the Muskie world but nothing huge. One thing I have had though are some huge sponsers in the archery industry. Not the same thing but the basics are. A few things I learned real quick were. #1) Dont take something for "free" just becuase you can get it for "free". If you wouldn't spend your hard earned money on it dont take it "free" and try to promote it, as it never usually ends up working out well. #2) Dont be a whore. Takeing something then dropping it the first time something better comes along then dropping that when the next thing arrives wont get you much of a name in the industry. #3) You can be the best Muskie fisherman going and if your an ass it's going to be a rough ride.
Good Luck and Good Fishin'
Tim
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Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | The only way to get into Gander's Pro Staff is to either be a Bucher or Linder type angler or work for Gander and be competititve in tournys and or guide. Its a ton of work and in most cases, you'll put more into doing speaking engagements/seminars than you'll get back out of it monetarily.
Norm hit it on the head, there's few freebies. But if you're going ot get those freebies, you have to use and believe in the products you're receiving. It doesn't do a sponsor (or you) any good if the bait you're supposed to be using during a tourny is sitting in the box, unused. |
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Posts: 313
Location: Bemidji, Lake Vermilion | Great, nice advice guys and thanks. Sounds like its wise if I'm going to reach out to any companies initially or in such an early stage, I should be doing it with companies whose products I already use and have strong belief in their value or effectiveness, whether it be lure companies, rods/reels, or other important equipment. I'm sure it will help to build the photo logs up and try to at minimum place in some more tournaments, winning would be better. I'll keep working on all this, can't fail or be told no unless you try or ask first. |
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