Having spoken to enough pros at manufacturer's booths at shows and watching their YT vids it's clear that the gear they use is at best incidental for the most part, except for how it feels to them. I've seen more than a few describe a spool tension knob as a centrifugal brake and a dial on a reel is nearly always called a mag brake even if it isn't. The vast majority could care less about the tech and how it actually works and what that might mean to me.

 

However, I will pay attention to how they're working a specific bait, or their body mechanics when casting, pitching, or skipping.

I doubt you'll find anyone that will admit a pro can influence their purchases.  But look at all the rods, reels, baits, and boating accessories that fly off the shelf whenever KVD mentions them, and you can't deny it.  Same goes for anything that wins an ICAST award, or whatever a pro mentions that helped them win a major tournament.

 

And that's not such a bad thing.

 

When I was struggling to learn how to fish plastic worms, I attended a seminar by Larry Nixon and took detailed notes.  I bought the exact lures, hooks, weights, line....everything he said to use.  And by gosh, it worked! I started catching more and more fish on worms!

 

Now it's easy to argue I may have had the same results with different brands than Larry recommended (his sponsors), but nonetheless, the end result was that he helped anglers like me catch more fish with plastic worms.  And isn't helping others the point?

 

I also think there's a common misconception that pros will use anyone's "stuff" as long as they're getting a sponsorship. Not true.  For the most part, the pros were already using said "stuff", or are strong believers in said "stuff", and struck a deal with that company.  True, there are exceptions, but most pros stand behind the products they endorse.  They're not shady used car salesmen.

 

I watch the pros, and listen to what they say,,,,but I am more interested in the tackle they actually use. If I see Ott Defoe us a specific rod and reel combo fishing a technique I use or am considering using I may well go check out that combo at the store. Will I buy it? Maybe, maybe not. But it does give me a starting point on the type of set up I am looking for. 

Another example that came up recently for me was when a pro was talking about the advantage of a very high speed (8.1:1) casting reel for certain presentations. I went and checked out the reel he was recommending and quickly decided it was way out of my price range for a reel I would only use occasionally for a certain presentation. So I went on-line and bough one of those 35 dollar Chinese knock offs. I was surprised by two things. The first was that the $35 reel was actually very nice...smooth, well made, and fit my hand well when I palmed it. The second was how seldom I actually used it over the course of a year. I don't regret buying the reel....but I sure would have been upset if I had spent the $200 for the one the pro recommended.  Did the pro influence my buying decision? You bet. But maybe not in the way his sponser had hoped

3 hours ago, Mike L said:

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

 

I buy based on what is on sale, when it comes to rods I don't ask for much, I just want sic guides, supported eyes, and a blank that has the action I desire. 

1 hour ago, EWREX said:

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

Wasn’t my intention to imply that you did,

Just to “bring some conversation”
 

 

 

 

Mike

Not really. I live about 5 minutes from Bass Pro shops so I can see them and hold them in person. If a pro uses something I like I would check it out. The last few years I have been sold on Carbon Lights. Got one for a gift and there my go to. 

No. I don’t keep up with tournament fishing or care what the pros use.

Pros hold no sway over what brand of anything I purchase. Style of lure, how they fish them, and location they fish them have influenced me. 

Bait Monkey is responsible for all my purchases.

I buy things because the packages are pretty, not because some "pro" tells me to. I'm better than that.

I don't believe a single pro has ever influenced my fishing at all, but several average dudes on YouTube have influenced me to try things, as has this forum. Pro fishing is not exactly the same thing most of do anyways. The thought process is very different.

Sure the pro's influence my fishing and gear purchases to some extent, but not to the extent that I value the opinions of unsponsored folks who I know to be good sticks. Also depends on who the pro is. I fish nothing like KVD, so his opinion on gear doesn't grab my attention like the opinions of say Hack or Tharp who fish more my style.

 Speaking of Tharp, it was his sales pitch that got me to buy a Guntersville Special last summer after I broke my Sierra 765 and couldn't get a replacement right away. I now have most of the Tharp lineup plus a Cobb and a Lancer. Awesome rods that perform well above their price point. Thanks Randall, now I gotta figure out what to do with all those Abu's and Dobyns that are collecting dust. Probably hang onto them. I still like 'em for moving baits, but the ARKs smoke 'em for bottom contact.

 

I don't buy anything just because somebody famous is pushing it.  I always do research before making a purchase.

I’ll be the oddball and say absolutely.  Pro’s have no influence on my rod & reel purchases but pro’s and others definitely influence SOME of my tackle purchases.  I’m not necessarily stuck on the exact brand or sponsorships but I changed to neko hooks for wacky rigging because of feedback from a pro.  I learned about Shane’s Baits Alabama rigs from Josh Jones.  I even picked up a Berkley Stunna after Cherry’s ‘21 Classic win at Ray Roberts.  I would be willing to bet that 50% of Jackhammer Chatterbait sales over the past 2-3 years have been influenced by the massive amount of winnings on the pro tours.  There is no shame in occasionally utilizing the experiences of others, pro or not.

4 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

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

 

oe

Probably the PWT. I'm a Fenwick guy myself.  

nope, don't care and i couldn't even give you the name of a single pro; oh yea steve martin i mean roland martin . think i've seen him on tv.

Never bought any rods or reels because of any Pro's that use them. However long time ago, I would buy some baits that certain Pro's used.

For the last 15 years, I buy baits that I think/know will work.

 

I may look to Seth for inspiration - but his signature rods are out of my price bracket. I mainly look to him for techniques...and that on vids he shot on Minnetonka or in the area.

 

I don't buy baits based on what the pros use...I buy what I think will work on my lake.

I don’t watch any pro or fishing tournament, so I’m out. I try mostly what ppl comment here and suitable to my fishing style. 

Not based off of an advertisement

 

Having spent 200+ days a year on Toledo Bend for 50 years I know a Pro or two.

 

If I run into one of them at a cafe or convince store or boat launch or Brookshire Brothers & they tell me they're killing em on a color or lure I don't have...guess what I'm buying!

Basically I buy things based on 1: What I can afford, and 2: What looks good to me.  Most of the stuff pros endorse is beyond my budget.

I don't follow the pros that closely and don't even take it into consideration when making any purchase.  

 

I look to the pros for tips and tricks regarding types of baits and presentations. But I cant remember ever buying something just because a pro said I should. For example I really like Seth Feider and I'm A spinnerbait freak. Saw him throwing bassman spinner baits a ton last year..they are $14 each. For some blades and wire. I will pass.

i am a budget on sale type of shopper when its comes to rods and reels. I dont care what brand or who used it on tv. Only care if it works for me.

I bought some baits mentioned on this site like the superfluke which boosted my catch rate in sept, oct.

I always passed over them in the stores and even seeing it on youtube videos i didnt pay attention telling myself i have enough baits, meh on the fluke.

Then one night i come across a thread on bass resource about superflukes which i always passed over before. But at the time i had read all i wanted to on BR so i clicked on it and darned if i didnt go out and buy me some and away i went slamming smallies and Lm in sept,oct.

Not particularly, but the fact that I do like all of the Megabass prostaffers certainly doesn't hurt.