I want to get sponsored for the first time but I don't know what company(s) to seek after. What is a good company for a 16 year old to ask for a sponsorship? I do currently own a boat I am going to start fishing tournaments when I get my new bass boat (which will be in a couple of weeks hopefully). so whats a good company to get started on.

Thanks.

Look local for companies that are promoting there business alot through the media, one example could be a cell phone company.

Ditto what Will said!!

Also you might want to look at attorney's - they do a lot of advertising.

In my opinion, the answer is NONE.

I think that a 16 year old needs to focus on the

fundamentals of bass fishing. To many people

get caught up in the "Sponsor" craze. The cold

hard truth of the matter is, for anglers regardless

of age, you are not going to make money off of

sponsors unless you bring a lot to the table. In all

actuality most anglers will not even get free baits

or free line. It is just not a reality for most people.

Take your time, learn the business and once you

understand how everything works and have obtained

some corporate worth then you can approach possible

sponsors.

JT Bagwell

In my opinion, the answer is NONE.

I think that a 16 year old needs to focus on the

fundamentals of bass fishing. To many people

get caught up in the "Sponsor" craze. The cold

hard truth of the matter is, for anglers regardless

of age, you are not going to make money off of

sponsors unless you bring a lot to the table. In all

actuality most anglers will not even get free baits

or free line. It is just not a reality for most people.

Take your time, learn the business and once you

understand how everything works and have obtained

some corporate worth then you can approach possible

sponsors.

JT Bagwell

eye'm going to try to say this without offending you but if eye do eye apologize...thats is where most people go wrong they "asume" most teens 13-19 wanting or already fishing tournaments need to focus on the fundementals not the sponsors personaly eye think they need to focus on both. eye say get out there and learn early what companies want and don't want instead of waiting to get up out of your rockin' chair and figure it out...by the way check out some lower class companies at the begginig aswelll as local bait shops thats where you'll have the best successees until you build up a little history in tournaments and archeving your other sponsors goals for you

Holy cow dude, you might want to get a spell check.

You are entitled to your opinion, but I do not agree with

you on this one.

For starters, "Most" tournament organizations will not let anglers under

the age of 16 participate. Secondly, children under the age of 18 (in most states) are not permitted to enter into a legally binding contract (which is what a sponsorship contract is).

With that being said, I revert back to my previous statement where I said young anglers need to build on their fishing skills and worry about sponsorships and other financial matters when it becomes an issue.

JT Bagwell

JT. what about the Triton kid? i forget his name. he was on Strike King's show with Mark Menendez.

Mike,

I am not sure what you are talking about.

However, as we all know there is an exception to every rule.

My previous comments were meant for the majority.

JT Bagwell

Spell check and some proper grammar would help out too, huh? Yes, eye is the correct spelling but when talking about yourself...I....is the correct grammar to use.

JT is right about the age to sign contracts. If the Strike King PS'r is under 18 then his/her parents would have to sign under their name to make it legal.

I see nothing wrong with helping young ones to get LOCAL sponsors, cause this works in many ways. It helps them learn the responsibilities and needs of their sponsors, and teaches them how to better prepare themselves when talking about their sponsors in front of other people, whether it's the products or services that the sponsor provides.

yeah that kid is definitely under 18. i think hes like 12 lol. i think he did a seminar at the classic here in pittsburgh

Spell check and some proper grammar would help out too, huh? Yes, eye is the correct spelling but when talking about yourself...I....is the correct grammar to use.

JT is right about the age to sign contracts. If the Strike King PS'r is under 18 then his/her parents would have to sign under their name to make it legal.

I see nothing wrong with helping young ones to get LOCAL sponsors, cause this works in many ways. It helps them learn the responsibilities and needs of their sponsors, and teaches them how to better prepare themselves when talking about their sponsors in front of other people, whether it's the products or services that the sponsor provides.

squid I can agree with you about the local sponsors and preparing yourself...and if you're wondering abou the "eye" its the way we wright it a NAFC and I'm just use to that

hey guy's I side with all of you in some way's Jt you have some incredibly valid point's and northga don't be offended,  I think the most important thing a youngster can do is this 1 go to school and get at least an associate's in business

this sport is more business than anything else the fishing part is a bonus

now you are still I assume in high school so in the mean time set some very realistic goal's for yourself You said your getting a boat that's great I bought my first skeeter when I was 18 BUT I didn't run it in a tournament for a bunch more year's I figured I had too much to learn, I would use your boat as a practice tool the biggest difference between pro's and local angler's is time on the water, Join a club and fish non boater for a couple year's you may also want to fish some state level stuff or even co angler in the weekend series or bfl, I can't tell you how many quality angler's I've learned from out of their boat.  If you are truly interested in sponsorship's start small and think outside the box until you have some experience, I know skguides.com has a jr pro staff program that might be a place to start. I made alot of mistake's the first 15 year's in the sport and the biggest two was not going to college and trying to move too fast.

now I'm 36 a 20 year tourney veteran and just in the last 3 year's started turning a profit and cashing check's regularly I have 6 very good sponsor's that I work very hard for, I've lost some very good sponsor's in the past because I simply didn't have the knowledge, discipline, and work ethic to apreciate what I had.  

I will give you an example I was with Gambler worms in the mid 90's I worked and fished with guy's like marty stone and Gerald Swindle before they made thier mark. these guys' understood what I didn't and in 1998 I lost Gambler

it's in the past but I every now and again wonder what could have been

Good luck and for now just have fun and rip lip's

Holy cow dude, you might want to get a spell check. JT Bagwell

LFMAO! I don't care who U. R. ... ;D ;D ;D

Eye think crankin_king needz 2 start pooring hiz own lurez if he wantz 2 get sponsered. ;D Lurez iz Us.

northgabassfisher,

I think everyone has made valid points and I wish you the best of luck. You seem to have the spirit to make it , someday. Most, if not all, company's will look at you as some punk azz kid. You have no merit and little, if any experience.

So... You need to go out there and prove them wrong. Win a tournament or two. Learn all you can about bass and the potential sponsor's lure and "sell" it back to them. Make them think that you are the best salesman and truley believe in there lures.

Anyway, your young, you have a lot to learn, and someday you may catch the next world record. Just keep at it, learn all you can, and have fun! Do this and I will bet that you will find your dream sponsor someday.

Holy cow dude, you might want to get a spell check. JT Bagwell

Eye think crankin_king needz 2 start pooring hiz own lurez if he wantz 2 get sponsered. ;D Lurez iz Us.

already do ;D

;D ;D ;D ;D, ya crankin, make sure your speaking english in front of sponsors instead of spanglish... eye is spanglish....I is english.. 8-)

;D okie dokie then :D :D

Crankin_King,

If you are writing this while sitting in 7th grade English, please make sure you are learning your writing skills first, then worry about your fishing skills and getting sponsors second. I feel that school should be more important to you right now. When school is out, that is when you can get into fishing and learning everything you can about the basics.

13 is way too young to worry about finding a sponsor and fishing seriously in tournaments. You still have to write and speak so that others, a lot older than you, can understand. I do not mean to offend you, but you do need to learn more than just fishing.

Sorry,

Squid

I agree, for now you are little to young to get the sponsors but you can do alot in High School to make a great resume. Here are some of the items I can think of.

1. Student Council, I am not sure if that is what its called at your school, but it shows leadership.

2. Scouts, FFA or 4-H, all these are great programs if you hold an office, even better.

3. Go into Debate and Forensics. It will show you can speak in front of people and you can persuade them even on topics you don't agree with.

I started doig Debate and Forensics when I was a Junior in High School, I was never any good but it helped me alot. I wish I would of done them at least 3 years now.

I have to agree with JT. First work on you fishing skills first, get your education and build your resume. It may take years to land a sponsor, but the fundamentals of communication, salesmenship and professionalism are a must.

Good luck in your quest