Who do you ask and why?

Money?

Free product?

Prestige at another patch on your arm?

My comments may be off base as I'm new to the sponsorship game, but I do not think I could go after a sponsor if they were not already a product I believed in or had a product I needed and was looking for.  If I start using brand X instead of brand Y, just because of a few free bags of baits, is that really a value to the company or myself?

Just curious as to the motives behind someone seeking sponsorships.

Brad

Brad, Ike in his book says that the BASS pros need to obtain sponsors outside of the fishing fraternity, and he is correct.

At the Classic this weekend I looked around and what markets did I see walking around?  Older men; grandparents with grandkids; middle aged men and women; and children of all ages.

So, if you want a sponsor it may be to your advantage and to the advantage of the pros to obtain sponsors outside of the fishing industry.

I spoke with one of Ike's guys and told him that the people at the Classic were the ones that play sports, drive nice cars, wear nice clothes and take vacations.  So, for the kids I suggested Ike contact such manufacturers as Nike, New Balance, BIKE Athletic, Champion, etc.; for the middle aged men and women - Eddie Bauer, Talbots, Polo, Ralph Laruen, etc. And for the older folks, retirement villages and vacation/tour companies.

You will need money to support yourself and family and the current industry companies are under too much pressure to give financial aid to all pros.

So, it would be prudent to speak with the marketing departments of non-fishing industry companies and sell yourself and your ideas.

Hey, it worked for NASCAR!

Good luck.

I agree with you Brad I wouldn't want a sponsor that I don't have confidence in. As for myself I look for sponsors that can help with cost by either discounts or "free" tackle, but only the products that I use and know will constantly produce fish.

Will is correct for the fishing industry but why not try to get sponsors outside of the fishing industry?

Look who sponsors Little League Baseball teams - its not the baseball industry.

You would do well with a mix of sponsors both in and out of the fishing industry.

Good luck.

I agree with both Sam and Will.

I have sponsors outside of the industry to help cover the cost of the entry fees, but I also have sponsors who products I believe in and use. But we all use other products, only cause that is what is working at the moment, and I proudly say I used them and why. Some of the products I use my sponsors don't make or carry the same color combination. In time they will though.. ;D

With the outside industry, you can promote them by giving away coupons, or just referring them some business.

I have only been given free product from two sponsors and paid a discount with the others. However, I still paid for something else with the company who gave me some of their products. I promote any and all who have helped me with my tournaments.

When it comes to my Youth Program....everything has been given freely, and I promote the HECK out of them to the parents and everyone I fish with. Why? Cause it is an awesome thing to see Big Names give to the kids.

I have applied to many companies, All of them i use their products and have full confidence in them and love their products to death. AS a Jr. Angler i like to start as early as i can in sponsorships so itcan lead to bigger and better sponsorships and get to know people in the business.

When I started out looking for sponsors I aimed at small fishing companies so first off I could get sponsored and secondly, get some discounted tackle. I got on board with a couple companies but to me there's only a certain amount of small tackle companies I can handle. After 2 small companies I then aimed for a big time company such as Shimano or Diawa that could actually save me some huge money or a firm outside of the fishing industry that could help out finacially. I ended up finding an engineering recuriter that has done wonders for my fishing career so far. He's not in ther fishing industry what so ever but he's more than willing to pay for anything I need as long as I use my connection with the Kansas State Engineering Dept. to his advantage

The biggest mistake that I see other anglers doing is that they, like Ish said in the interview, ask too often what the sponsors can do for them.  

Instead, they should TELL the potential sponsor what they ARE going to do for them, and then, work on the sponsor contributions afterwards.

Most of the companies that I have spoken with are not concerned with the number of tournament wins, and the number of Top 5 Finishes, etc.

The reasons I stated for seeking sponsorship (discounted tackle, financial help) were my personal reasons.  I ask myself "what can the sponsor do for me" in order to find the type of sponsor I would want to look for.  Then, when I get in touch with them I only let them know what's in it for them and then let them bring up my benefits.

I agree wholeheartedly with same!!!!!

Bravo!!!