I'm a hair under 20 and when I was younger I was so addicted to getting sponsorships, almost to the point I forgot what fishing was. Crazy right? Sponsorships are important, but not when you are fishing a Youth Club Event. It hurts, but its true. They come in handy when you are preparing for a tournament and are spending money on things you do not want to spend money on(Gas, Hotels, Oil, Etc). Than they throw some stuff at you for a trip. 

If you can land a sponsorship at a young age, all the power to you. Its a great foot in the door and one of my biggest sponsors has sponsored me since I was 15. Kids should reach out to companies but to help, not to take. Work goes along way in the fishing industry. You don't get what you don't earn.

My message to kids looking for sponsors is, remember why you love to fish. I love to fish because I love to catch fish. When I was 3 I never dreamt of wearing a sponsorship jersey, just catching fish for a living. So kids, just fish, and the sponsors will come.

Thx for the advice!!!