So you always hear about KVD, IKE, SWINDLE and all the others plugging thier sponsors.

This makes me wonder...if a professional angler is sponsored by lets say Strike King...like KVD...is he obligated to only fish products from Strike King?

For instance KVD is throwing a Strike King bait and hears IKE is tearing em up on a Scatter Rap by Rapala...can KVD fish a Rapala bait even though he's not sponsored by them?

Thats a good question. I would want to know what type of language goes into their contracts. Maybe Big O or one of our professional members would explain further.

If it's anything like golf they may have have other products with them as well.  A pro golfer may have Callaway driver in a Callaway bag, but he could very well be using irons, wedges and a putter from different companies, not uncommon.  When Tiger Woods was using a Scotty Cameron or Titleist puter (he still sometimes uses it) the grip on it says Ping, but it's faded out.

I mean also think of it this way. Perhaps an angler has a specific bait he used coming up but it has been discontinued. Now the company puts it back on the market and he wants to use his old "Go To". Manns Jelly worm comes to mind...

Last week during the Classic there were rumors on another site of an elite angler unhooking a fish and putting a different bait in its mouth for a photo op

I can tell you they will use the baits, lines etc. from their sponsors but if the fish aren't biting them they'll switch. Especially if they're in the running for $$$. 

So you always hear about KVD, IKE, SWINDLE and all the others plugging thier sponsors.

This makes me wonder...if a professional angler is sponsored by lets say Strike King...like KVD...is he obligated to only fish products from Strike King?

For instance KVD is throwing a Strike King bait and hears IKE is tearing em up on a Scatter Rap by Rapala...can KVD fish a Rapala bait even though he's not sponsored by them?

They use what is working no matter what company makes it. They don't say anything about it and they try not to be photographed with it. 

Of course they use other brands of stuff.  They sure as heack won't plug them in an interview but they use whatever they want to catch fish.  Heck Bass Pro sells the official KVD landing net, you ever see KVD use a net?

Take a look at the hunting industry and its rampant with guys pimping stuff they dont use. I have heard of guys shooting deer in predator camo only to completely switch outfits before taking photos. Its all a big marketing game when it comes to sponsors but they certainly use whats working that day.