The Fishing Industry and Sponsorship

Should you approach the fishing industry for sponsorship?

First let's look at it from the lure manufacturer's standpoint. Just think of your favorite lure manufacturer for a minute. Now imagine that you work at their plant. One of your jobs may be to sort through the hundreds of emails, hundreds of faxes, and hundreds of letters each day from anglers seeking sponsorship via products and or cash. Included in those communications you will also find donation requests from - fishing clubs, non-profit organizations, company friends, etc.

Can you imagine having that job?

After a few days of employment wouldn't all the resumes start to look the same? How about all the product or financial donations requests, wouldn't they all start to look the same too? Of course they would. How would you know which one to support or sponsor?

Don't think I made this example up ? I didn't. The fishing industry as whole, whether it is manufacturers of: lures, line, rods, reels, boats, motors, sunglasses, hooks, tackle boxes, etc. is literally inundated, every single day, with hundreds maybe thousands of sponsorship requests.

And have you ever heard of the old saying, "It's not what you know, it's who you know?" Some sponsorship deals are landed that way too ? the good 'ol boy network. Not much you can do about that.

As you can see, approaching the fishing industry for sponsorship looks like an uphill battle - and it is. That's why I recommend avoiding companies in the fishing industry early on in your fishing career. If you happen to be fortunate enough to get some sort of sponsorship from within the industry, it'll more than likely end up being a small discount on products purchased. Even though that may save you a little money, it won't help with your biggest expense ? tournament entry fees.

Let me put it this way. Pretend you sell advertising for your local newspaper and you present ad rates to a local tire company. In reply to your advertising rates they respond with ? "Can we give you some tires at a discount in exchange for the ad?" Don't laugh, many anglers do exactly that. They exchange small discounts on product in order to advertise a particular fishing company, just so they can say they're sponsored. Crazy isn't it?

So, what's an aspiring tournament angler to do for sponsorship?

Outside of the fishing industry you'll find companies that have advertising, marketing, and promoting needs. When you start to think of your "sponsorship offer" as an "advertising/marketing/promoting" avenue you'll start to see the possibilities of landing cash for your entry fees.

That's what I did and still recommend.

Look outside of the fishing industry for cash sponsorship and stay away from the fishing industry initially. You'll find a lot less rejection in my opinion.

Scott Rauber
Author - How To Get Sponsored For Fishing Tournaments
http://www.fishforfree.com

---

No Boat? Join Your Local Bass Club

Having been an avid basser for years, and not having... Read More

Its Raining... Time to Go Fishing!

Ah, fishing in the rain. You may not like the... Read More

Fishing for Salmon? Do You Know the Different Salmon Species?

Did you know that there are five species of Pacific... Read More

The Frugal Fisherman: Part II

For those of you that don't know this, fishermen by... Read More

Cabo Sport Fishing is Like a Box of Chocolates

As Forrest Gump would say, you never know what you're... Read More

Concentrate on Your Fishing

I was watching a TV Show with Bill Dance and... Read More

Interesting Features of The Speckled Trout

For those who are interested in speckled trout, you will... Read More

Just What Is the Stream Trout?

The term stream trout is actually a term used to... Read More

The Value of Observation

The beginner must learn to look with eyes that see.... Read More

The Joys of Trout Fishing

The thrill of trout fishing! It is the best, isn't... Read More

Fishing For Bass In Deep Water

When fishing for bass in deep water try a spinnerbait... Read More

Some Things You May Not Know About Luring Fish In The Night

Night fishing is becoming more and more popular recently, and... Read More

Grandpas Pond

We can learn alot from kids.Last Friday, which incidently was... Read More

Challenges of Nymph Fly Fishing

When nymph fly fishing, the angler is imitating the juvenile... Read More

Social Robotic Fish in Fish Farms

We have a problem in our fish farms, especially Salmon.... Read More

Trout Species ? Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout

Rainbow Trout: Few freshwater fish can match the fighting spirit... Read More

Swordfishing in South Florida

Southeast Florida Swordfishing ? "Purple Fever"Once you have your tackle... Read More

Update Alaska: News From The Front

Stopped into The Fishin' Hole the other day, which happens... Read More

A Guide to Non-Typical Catfish Fishing Techniques Part III

Method 2The second method that works really well for me... Read More

Spinnerbait Fishing Tactics for Spotted Bay Bass

Like most fishermen my age I originally learned about spinnerbait... Read More

The Challenge of Brown Trout Fishing

Brown trout fishing can prove very challenging. This is due... Read More

Catch Your Limit With These Fishing Supplies

Great fishing supplies are an essential when it comes to... Read More

Women and Fishing -- Not Just A Mans Sport

More and more women are learning to enjoy fishing each... Read More

My Fishing Trip With The Pro

I was in Southwest Florida and was asked to go... Read More

The Fishing Mark of Mablethorpe on the East Coast of England

MABLETHORPE, is a beach resort on the East coast of... Read More