There’s a thread currently being commented on about a pro switching rod sponsors. 
Some of the comments got me thinking so I thought I’d bring it up. 
 

Do you buy and use a specific rod, reel or bait based SOLELY on what a particular pro does? Any Pro?

 

I ask because a post here states that Chris Zaldain is no longer sponsored by MB and was seen using a specific Googan bait.
Does that or any pro changing product sponsors, which happens all the time, be the sole deciding factor in your purchase decisions?

 

Personally I’ve tried more products from comments made by members here, than what any pro does or doesn’t do. 
 

Really, how influenced are you by what they do?

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

What the pros do or have has absolutely no effect on what I buy or use.  I might pay attention to Stacey King as we fish the same lake.

14 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

 I might pay attention to Stacey King as we fish the same lake.

That's like me with Seth Feider - his 'home' lake is my lake.

Pro bass anglers no. When I started bass fishing at a early age it was before tournament pro’s existed. Magazine articles by Jason Lucas and Robert Page were my mentors who influenced me to buy certain lures, rods and reels.

I will add one pro Tom Mann who I met in the late 60’s was so nice to me I did buy his worms. 

Tom

If & when I am "researching" info about tackle, especially when it relates to something specific I am doing or looking to improve/get into, I will often seek the counsel of experienced anglers.  While that can and often does include folks who are deemed Pros, there are plenty of bassheads on this very forum who have at least the same level of experience and expertise, if not much more. Having something dialed in comes in all shapes, sizes and ages.  IMO, no sense limiting myself when it comes to the information pool.  It's worked out OK so far. 

A-Jay

I realized years ago that many of the styles of pro anglers didn't fit with how I fish, so I haven't bought stuff endorsed by them. I have been influenced by the teqniques some have used.                                                         Mainly, Larry Nixon with plastic worm fishing, and to an extent years ago, DeeThomas, with flipping.

A pro angler has as much influence over my choice about anything fishing as a NASCAR driver has over my choice of soft drink, candy or car battery.  None.

As a teen in the 70's, i would put stock in what the "pros" were pushing. But back then, the bait choices are about 1/1000 of what they are today. Even Pass Bro Shops catalog used a full page for beetle spins. I sure wish that i kept all those catalogs...

I can honestly say I have never been influenced by any pro to purchase a fishing product. I don't really follow pro fishing except for an occasional program because its on when I'm available to watch. If I'm looking for fellow angler endorsements I search out people I know & trust that don't have an axe to grind.    

Just so I know who I might be emulating... who does Fenwick sponsor?

 

oe

I’m kind of a human garbage disposal of fishing knowledge - lol. I take everything in, but have accumulated enough on-the-water experience, opinions and excess mental baggage, that it takes some doing to get me to change much with my current approach, including tackle. Some pro switching to some new product line isn’t going to cut it for me - ever. That said, when I want to know the “juice” on anything related to the techniques and baits the pros are using, or something I should really be checking out, I simply ask Wheeler.

No......just no.

Personally no, not really.

 

Certainly the lures used to win big tournaments do play a role in the general popularity of them amongst the general angling population though. 
 

When Chris Lane won an elite event in 2016 on a whopper plopper, the popularity of those lures exploded.

If a pro is hawking a product and I see it might be of use to me , better than what I already use , then theres a good chance I will purchase that product . I wont buy a product just because pro x pushes it .

2 hours ago, Mike L said:

Personally I’ve tried more products from comments made by members here,

^^^ This.

I dont think Ive ever bought anything because a pro endorsed it…

Back in the day I got into Abu Garcia for two reasons 

1: Ike was (is) sponsored by Abu Garcia 

2: They had entry level baitcasters and rods readily available at Walmart. 

The Blackmax and Promax reels are still really good reels! I’m slowly phasing out some of my older Abu reels with Tatulas which I’ve really taking a liking to, and phasing out some cheaper rods with Dobyns and St. Croix which I’m really liking as well. 
 

As far as lures I’ve kind of done my own thing.  I have taken advice from several on here and tried different lures and companies. The opinions on here hold more weight than sponsored pros. 

 

None at all whatsoever!

17 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

 That said, when I want to know the “juice” on anything related to the techniques and baits the pros are using, or something I should really be checking out, I simply ask Wheeler.

Pretty sure he's just returning the favor.

Either way, must be nice.

A-Jay

 

i started the topic just to bring some conversation to the table, and to see what other people’s opinions were. not judging him on his decisions

I can't ever keep up with what all the pros use, seems like their always switching it up anyway (saw this recent switch randomly on my facebook feed). I also don't fully trust that they are only throwing what they are sponsored by... i.e. imagine being sponsored by a sub-par company, and being forced to use it and never winning because of it... That's not good for anybody. I'm willing to bet that "company X" gladly turns a blind eye to a fisherman winning with "company Y", as long as he gives a shoutout to "company X" when it's all said and done. No one listens to last place... and for this reason, I have trust issues...

I don't really buy what the pros say they use, but I do listen to them and see why they use the stuff they do.  I may try different things they say to see what works for me though.  

I’m not going to stop buying Megabass stuff just because Zaldain changed sponsors. 

My early buying decisions were often influenced by a wide variety of marketing efforts, and frugality.  I suppose that was a combination of ignorance and inexperience.  Not all decisions were bad, but I certainly learned a few lessons.

 

A pros equipment or sponsorship deal may lead to my interest or expose me to a new product, but it's certainly not the deciding factor if I make that purchase.  I still shop within my budget and means, but I do more research.  I value the opinions and knowledge on this forum, and I do believe the TacticalBassin boat holds water.    

 

Time on the water has exposed me to a wider range of product and been one of the strongest influencers of my buying choices.  I am fortunate to have enough gear that I rarely have to buy out of necessity, thus allowing time to make those decisions. 

 

 

I don't buy anything just because some pro endorses it. I buy what I want to use. I sometimes think some of the videos promoting baits are done because sales are down and the company wants to get the sales back up.

I haven't bought a rod or reel based on who endorses the company since I was 13. And that was actually a Christmas gift. I asked for a Daiwa Procaster Magforce PMF100 because I saw Bill using one on his show. Turns out it was a very good model. I permanently retired it about 5 years ago. I'm 51. But imagine my dismay when I saw him endorsing a different brand a few years later. I do consider the opinions of people on this here forum though.