Well stated on both post Mike!  I have little to add.

Hey Prez, I think the folks you are referring to are sometimes called "Patch Pirates"!

Speaking of sponsors and Prostaff work, there will be an upcoming announcement from me concering my affiliatons in about three weeks.

Smitty

I'd personally like to thank all the pro-staffers that have so generously given to our club.  A number have supported the club raffles and still others allow our members quality products at prices that can't compare.  Thanks again!

Mike,

That would be Ordella Rods,Nixons Marine, and Quest Fastener.
Russ

Thanks for the post Ex-Prez. I was just letting off some steam.

And your right, I feel blessed that I am in the position that I am in with Anglers and St. Croix. Smitty has put a lot of time in, I am not sure what Russ does for Pro-Staff stuff? (not to be a jab at you Russ)

I guess that my sponsers believe that I am marketable? My beautiful body at 300lbs probably does not hurt either! I think that being a reserve police officer also helped. Something about professionalism, I am not quite sure what that is?

By the way Henry and I were out on Washington Friday and picked up three fish. Henry picked up the biggest at 3-04, the other two were around a pound, pound and a half.

Mike

Mike,
  Well put!  I could only add that your comment  "For most of the people who really do Pro-Staff or have sponsers, you almost have to project it out to the public in almost an over the top manner" is my whole point.  If everyone, whether sponsored or not, promotes products to the degree that a "true Pro Staffer" needs to "do his job", I think it takes away from those guys (Smitty, Russ and a couple of others) that do the hard work and should reap the reward and "glamour", if you will, of that hard work.  In short, there is more to supporting a company (sponsor) than a sticker.  My original post was for that point.  I wouldn't Wrap a boat  and advertise for a company if they wouldn't support me in the same manner and help me take it off.   I absoluetly agree with your comment about a winner.  You don't have to win tournaments to be a good saleman for a sponsor, just a good human being.

Glen,

I think your right about making it and keeping it fun. I just wanted to promote my company further thru another  venue. I'm not sure yet how it is going to look or if I'm doing a half wrap or full wrap yet. The boat wraps actually protect your paint job and yes they are difficult to take off but will not be taking it off in the future.

I have looked at the elite series wraps and they are way to gaudy for me. My goal will be to keep it simple and look professional.

Thanks for the honest opinions you have all given.

Russ

You know I have read some of the posts and shots that some people take and I agree with some of them. But.... For most of the people who really do Pro-Staff or have sponsers, you almost have to project it out to the public in almost an over the top manner. I will say that it is not always easy getting discounts or stuff for free. By the way I get nothing for free. There is a lot of work put into being on a team. Smitty put in at least 5-6 days of his time at the Puyallup show and I am sure at least that up in Monroe.

I worked 3 days for my company in Puyallup and have driven boats back and forth to Monroe and never asked for anything. These are the kind of things that I believe Pro-Staff guys need to do to promote the products that they believe in. I would hope that nobody would pro-staff for anything that they did not believe in.

I have seen the five million trucks that have G-Loomis stickers. I have thought to myself, how many of them actually have a G-Loomis?  How many of us have a BASS sticker on our vehicle? We don't get paid for that, but we all believe in it.

I spoke with a gentleman at the sportsman show in Puyallup that was with a big company (most of you have these products in your boat right now). He told me that he had been watching an individual on line for around six months to see what kind of a person they were. Since he had little or no contact other than on the phone he wanted to see other things like where they positive, did they promote there product with professionalism? I found that amazing.

I am going to leave you with this thought:

Sponsers are not always looking for the best anglers (otherwise I would have none), but someone that can and will promote their product in a professional manner.


Mike Stahlman

So the naked lady decals I just bought will be okay on my windshields? They match the boat! 

Glenn,
  I totally agree with you.  I'm sure that every company that makes stickers and patches would love to see them plastered all over everything.  Its free advertising!  My point to my previous post was to only suggest that "wrapping your boat" without a true sponsorship or monetary reward only gives corporations free advertising at the expense of the poor boat owner that has to get it off someday.  Lord help us if you ever had to trade it in or sell it to make the mortgage payment!  I have nothing against patches and stickers and agree, to each his own.  I personally never have been, nor will be so type specific on any product or brand to think less of the next guy for choosing differently.  It's all good!

I have no desire to wrap my boat.  While I cannot speak for anybody else, none of the decals on my truck are "sponsors" or "pro-staff" or anything of the sort.  They're simply products/companies I use and believe in, plus it gets the conversation going at the gas station when I fill up - gives me a chance to talk about WBC.  

Some guys would NEVER place a decal anywhere unless a "deal" was involved, and get upset with guys like me who do it  for free *GASP*.  Other guys would NEVER place a patch or decal on anything they own no matter WHAT was offered, and they have that right.  There's no wrong answer.  It's whatever is right for you.

I think each person "decorates", or doesn't "decorate", his truck/boat for different reasons.  It would unfair to blindly catagorize everyone into some sort of negative stereotype either way.

It's fishing folks.  It's meant to be fun and relaxing.  To be concerned over who has and doesn't have stickers and patches, sponsorships, or pro-staff positions, or how someone else looks, would take away from the enjoyment of it all.  Everyone can do what they want with this sport. That's what makes it so much fun!

What Russ was getting at was for his company to put on his boat....as for us......it was just making fun of Russ!

Guys,
 I'm confused on the "boat wrap thing".  I thought that if your boat is wrapped, the company that "stickers" your boat from bow to stern pays you to do it and supports the "floating tampon concept".  Are you telling me that anyone that wants to buy a boat wrap can just go out and pick one of their choice and "become sponsored"?  I've known, for years, that anyone can buy patches for their shirts and coats and "get sponsored" but taking those wraps off won't be nearly that easy.  I caution those of you that consider this.  If you "lose your sponsorship", it will take you 6 months to get that boat wrap off and I bet you scratch the heck out of your gel coat doing it.  Is the 5% discount really going to be worth it?  Please guys, have you watched the FLW tour?  A GREEN AND YELLOW WEED EATER BOAT!  Good god!  What happened to the WBC Trackers (me, Sergeant, Larry, Brian and on and on) that had to have the bilge running full time and the days when we were judged on what we caught, not who is plastered all over the our boat?  Please, let's NOT go there!

Glen maybe your Ranger should be wrapped in the " Broke Back Mountain Logo"



Russ

Quote:


In that case, I REALLY want my money back, but not for my previous reason.

Hey Glenn....good luck at lake fork....before you go...i lost my picture on my profile and I'm too dumb to figure it out? any suggestions......


Oh....and the Tampon Boat will ROCK!!