I find it interesting when Bassmaster puts out footage of guys using a certain brand of tackle or equipment and posts they used something different (Delta-Clear Lake events) .  Better than that, is the show where Velvick sets two rods, that just happen to be certain color, on the set with him when he does a follow up show.  At least KVD was honest sometime back and said he is sponsored by a specific lure company but will fish another product if means the difference of losing or winning.  How big are the royalty checks ?

That's why you don't beleive everything you see on tv or read in the paper...

Can you give some specific examples?

And how does this affect you?

Yea, I saw a couple pictures where Velvick was hucking those swimbaits at clearlake with a dark rod even though he claimed to be using a White Duckett Micro Magic and found it pretty funny.

And how does this affect you?

I know how it affects me. It ensures that I will not buy a product from that company. Not sure how I would feel about a big name company doing something so blatant, but for a rod builder who is just starting out, that is not a good way to do it in my opinion.

Wreaks of foul play. 

not all duckett rods are white micro guides

What he claims to be using. A white duckett micro magic rod.

http://tackletog.com/cal/2010/03/21/velvicks-magic-wand-the-duckett-fishing-micro-magic/

Duckett Rods doesn't produce a true big swimbait rod so byron went with some other one seen below. I can't find a duckett rod that looks like this full grip . Not saying it doesnt exist but I can't find one. Either way it's certainly not the rod he claimed to be using and promoted as an essential part of his win.

If you haven't figured it out yet, pro sponsorships are about advertising.

Do you believe every add or commercial you see?

Same applies for fishing related ones. You have to wade through the "muck" and decide for yourself.

I can tell you one thing, most companies main goal through advertising is to get their product name in your head. Studies have shown that if they are able to do that, sometime in the future, you are more likely to buy their product as opposed to one you have never heard of.

Y'all seem to know the Duckett name pretty well

In a world where there is so much competition for our fishing dollars, I just don't see the need to take a chance on a company that acts as if the consumers are idiots. We could see with our own eyes he wasn't using that rod, but he said it played a major part in the win.

Don't tinkle on my head and tell me it's raining.   

How is that company going to be when I call them with an issue with their product? Then all of a sudden I should expect them to be upstanding?

Could be a good product and could be a good company, but I don't plan on finding out.

Just my 2 cents, but I recall Velvick stating that he was using a prototype Duckett rod.  I think its possible that a prototye may be a plane jane blank that is not white.  I may be wrong, and its been a while since the tournament but that's what I thought he said.

Who cares what they are using !!!!!!!!

Who cares what they are using !!!!!!!!

Agreed, it's not that big of a deal.