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

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!

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

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.

Mike,

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

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