Wait a minute there buckaroo - didn't you work full-time for that Chevy
dealership as a salesman? And didn't your boss LOAN you the tow vehicle &
boat? His boat? And didn't he take them both back, before he laid you off?
That sounds like less of a sponsorship than the one's you "smile" at. You
were getting paid to sell cars, not to catch bass.

Before you "smile" at what many fishermen value as the true sponsorships
they are, realize this. There's about ten guys in bass fishing that are
given boats. 99% of boat sponsorships involve the pro using the boat for
one season, then having to sell it at or around cost in order to be granted
a boat the next season. They must sell the boat or pay for it. And believe
me, they appreciate this arrangement. Boat-related expenses are huge for
big-tournament anglers, and to be given boats under this arrangement is a
godsend.

Curious, who are your buddies at the top? Top of what? And who's paying
them these big bucks? Because I met a hundred guys that fished the Opens
this year that do outdoor shows & seminars for sponsors, and none of them
made big bucks doing it. There's 3 guys from your area that are upper
echelon bass fishermen - Kevin VanDam, Kim Stricker & Art Ferguson. Of
those 3 only Kevin makes big bucks just for being Kevin. Kim & Art both
have to sell their boats at seasons' end. And they need & appreciate any &
all help they get, be it via cash, product or discount.

Craiger, the very few guys that truly reach the top of the bass fishing
world are loving every minute of it, particularly the big bucks they make
fishing. These guys don't quit, and lord knows they don't burn out.

Wasn't your article on rods supposed to be in FLW Outdoors this month?

Warren



"Craig" wrote in message
...
I guess I have been very lucky, because every sponsor I have had the good
fortune to work with has given me free product. Yes, I did my very best
to
help them move more product and in most cases sold that product before and
after tournaments. Mark Chevrolet (local dealership), not only gave me a
free tow vehicle, but also supplied me with a Champion boat.

My buddies who are at the top, also get free product, and for the most
part
get paid well for appearing at shows and for conducting seminars on top of
their sponsor's contributions. It is the fact that they are invited to
appear and conduct seminars that makes them so valuable to the sponsor.
Their sacrifice is the time they spend away from home and family. But
they
also know they need to capitalize on what little time they may have being
at
the top. Burn out is the biggest reason most of these folks quit.

--
Craig Baugher