Advertising, sponsor messaging: what do YOU react to?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mark Maderos on March 8, 2011 at 5:50pm

Great questions Joel:

  I have talked with one of my sponsor's, Keith of Powell Rods about this subject.  We agree that talking about the product is an  important part of marketing the rods.  He also is of the belief as am I about, not needing to be the over the top, i.e. Shaw Grigsbyesque.  If someone wants to know about products I use or has questions, I am more than happy to tell them what I know about the products.  Also, never trying to bad mouth another brand of something.  If I have had a bad experience with a product I will say so, but it never is really productive to bad mouth another product.  Say what you know is good about your stuff and leave it at that.

    Like most guys, I also roll my eyes when someone starts going on and on about a product.  But, as an example, I have looked at, checked out, inquired, and bought products advertised by t.v. shows, reading say Bassmasters mag, and guys talking about products on BBC boards before.  I tend to be very interested in new baits, techniques, products and am pretty willing to try most things at least once and see if it will somehow help me become a more productive angler.  An example would be wanting to buy some squarebill cranks for shallow water prespawn largemouth fishing and trying it more at Potholes this spring after seeing what KVD, Brandon P, Aaron M and the gang did at the classic.  Will I buy strike kings.  Maybe.  I might buy another brand and try a couple of different brands to see a difference in the actions.

  If you have any kind of reputation as an angler, other guys are going to know what products you represent and use.  That alone will speak volumes to the product you represent to interested people.  I dont need to hear about Marc M and a whole long story about Lamiglass everytime I talk with him.  I know he uses them, really believes in there product and if I have questions about their rods, I know to talk to him about them and I believe that Marc would give me a straight answer.

 

Mark

Permalink Reply by Johnny Walker on March 8, 2011 at 6:12pm

They do that because the professional bass fishing world is tough... could you imagine how hard it is to get a sponsor to pay for you to fish tournaments when all your gonna do is go fishing and have a casual conversation every now and then about their product?

These guys have contracts saying they will use such products, talk about such products x amount of times one stage, appear X amount of times to promote such products, etc... If the opportunity presented itself I'd mention a product a thousand times on stage!

 

I know that's off point, so on point... I always pay attention when angler's talk about what they win the tournament on bait wise but just because Brett Hite won a tournament and said Dunkin Donuts are awesome... I like you don't get the urge to go out and buy donuts. But if Robert Lee said he won 6 California BASS Opens on Sweat Beavers I'd probably give them a try.

 

Good topic!

Permalink Reply by Jordan Doucet on March 8, 2011 at 6:16pm

The approach that best resonates with me and one I try to use when I represent the companies that help me out is definitely not the long list of sponsors, instead spelling out the scenario and how that product helped you catch fish is a much better approach in my opinion. Talk about the area you were fishing or the type of bite it was, explain why you were using the bait/rod/line/reel and how it benefited you, helped you catch more fish, or gave you a step ahead of the competition. 

 

If I may, I'll do a little plug to show you an example:

At the Freeze Your Bass tournament a couple weeks ago C-Ride and I caught 13 fish throughout the day, many times fishing water that was just covered by numerous other anglers. We were using Beaver style baits with Berkley Gulp spray that we felt gave us the advantage to get those extra bites other anglers missed. On top of that the bites we were getting were super light and came out of water 40-55 feet deep and with winds in the afternoon they were hard to pick up, which is why we ran 10 or 12lb fireline crystal braid with a fluorocarbon leader and super sensitive G-Loomis GLX/NRX rods to pick up on those really light bites.

***End of plug

 

I think as long as you spell out the reason you were using the product and show the problem/solution people will listen. KVD does a great job with this and guess what, you can't find a KVD1.5 chartreuse black back anywhere!

 

Let me know your thoughts.

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on March 8, 2011 at 6:30pm

Joel,

 

As a sponsored tournament angler, tackle manufacturer that sponsor's others, and outdoor writer I would rather ask the question instead of answer it.

 

When an angler wins a tournament I expect them to plug their sponsors, and generally anglers don't mind this; but repetition/redundancy is over the top.

 

I think the person doing the plug, and the method in which they do so determines how it will be received.  If Ron Hobbs says he caught most of his fish in 3 feet of water dropshotting a sand Sniper Snub with a 1/8th-ounce QuickDrop, nobody is going to mind. They got valuable information, and they will go out and buy Sniper Snubs and QuickDrops.

 

Throwing product names around repetitively, without providing useful information that anglers want and need, probably has as much negative impact as it does positive impact.

 

ciao,
Marc Marcantonio

 

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on March 8, 2011 at 6:32pm

I have heard all the plugs, they are disgusting. The worst ones are the ones that seemed like the angler has rehearsed them 1000's of different times, the trick for me is for the angler to make it geniune of why they appreciate their sponsors, good stories that go along with those sponsors help. 

The one story that I can think of, of a guy plugging sponsors was last year at the FLW Cup.  The angler was none other than Larry Nixon and he was plugging Chevy Trucks and Stratos Boats, they way he put why he loved his product, was so country, so Arkansas, so so real that you had to listen and appreciate every last word he said.  To me that was the very very best plug I have ever heard from any professional angler in my whole life, and I won't be suprised if I don't here another to top it.  Larry Nixon was so REAL and GENIUNE with the plug, and you just don't see that anymore.  Larry Nixon will always have my utmost respect, for keeping it old school, keeping it real, and just flat out telling it how it is!  

 

He used none of that fluff, that stuff makes me gag.

BTW it wasn't the crank that made the difference, it was the angler, he could've used probably 20 different cranks and still won, and I thoroughly believe this.

Permalink Reply by Zach Chandler on March 8, 2011 at 6:44pm

I think that Jordan and Marc nailed it.  I buy stuff after a lot of research, having a great angler explain how the bait works and more importantly how it works better than a competitor, as well as explaining how it worked in certain situations is what perks my interest.  For example if KVD is explaining how a crankbait worked great in situation X and I can picture a similair situation on my local lake where I could use that tactic then I'll probably be sold and give it a try. 

On another note, when Shaw plugged the motor he was using, I think on day 1, he was saying he could have fished 5 more minutes because it got him back to the launch so quick.  I was embarrassed for him, he's kinda a douche.

Permalink Reply by BigBass Dez on March 8, 2011 at 8:05pm

                                              "I would like to thank my sponsors"

 

Lets be honest here guys , "Money&Product" are great Motivational tools in any sport in our nation when athletes wishes are to become an iconic figure within there sport .It doesnt matter if we are talking about KVD ,Micheal Jordan,Dale Earnhardt , etc  When the camara lights turns off and the big crowds go away these guys have to go home to there families and put food on the table no different then the rest of us . I personaly think that when Pro anglers give thanks to there sponsors , there are IMO showing there appreciation to the companies that allows them to fish for living , period !

 

As to what catches my attention when all of this mad media is taking place at the classic , NOT MUCH ! lol 

I find myself more interested in the executions of the anglers gameplans , skillset , ability to properly ajust while in the heat of moment .So what if kevin won on a chart/black cranks made by strikeKing , iv had squarebill crankbaits in my box for years, If i purchase that bait right now does that mean the next time i get on lk washington i will become unbeatable, NO .  

the only product that has made me all warm and fuzzy on the inside in the last 4 years of bassfishing are the shortshank treb hooks for hardbaits.

I even started a thread on here when they first came last year ,  im not  getting a check or free hooks from Mustad . This year at the sportsman show i went back to the Mustad Booth and thank the gentlemen who showed me those hooks , had he not been there last year i wouldnt have even known about the product untill later that year when "KVD won yet another classic using those hooks ". 

So Did the no name rep at the sportsman show make a difference in my world way before KVD did ? lol  

 

My overall point here is that we have to support the bigger picture. There are sooo many bass anglers nationwide that are motivated by product for different reasons . Some are just fans and want to offer support to there hero's of the sport , Some are just clueless about the sport and just know that KVD won the event using this bait so how can i go wrong by purchasing it for myself , even though they have only caught a total of 5 bass on cranks in there life. Others are the tourney anglers that feel like they would rather have that bait in there box so that they are at a disavantage by not having it .. 

 

I "expect" Professionals to rep there brand every chance they get , And i also expect these companies to continue to support there Staff members for years ahead , At the end its all a win~win for everyone involved and it ensures the longevity of the great sport called Bass Fishing...

If the day comes about when there are "No sponsors to thank"  we will have a much major problem in the fishing community overall .

 

Dez   

 

  

Permalink Reply by Buddy on March 8, 2011 at 8:58pm

Following this was difficult. Did you go to middle school in jail?

BigBass Dez said:

                                              "I would like to thank my sponsors"

 

Lets be honest here guys , "Money&Product" are great Motivational tools in any sport in our nation when athletes wishes are to become an iconic figure within there sport .It doesnt matter if we are talking about KVD ,Micheal Jordan,Dale Earnhardt , etc  When the camara lights turns off and the big crowds go away these guys have to go home to there families and put food on the table no different then the rest of us . I personaly think that when Pro anglers give thanks to there sponsors , there are IMO showing there appreciation to the companies that allows them to fish for living , period !

 

As to what catches my attention when all of this mad media is taking place at the classic , NOT MUCH ! lol 

I find myself more interested in the executions of the anglers gameplans , skillset , ability to properly ajust while in the heat of moment .So what if kevin won on a chart/black cranks made by strikeKing , iv had squarebill crankbaits in my box for years, If i purchase that bait right now does that mean the next time i get on lk washington i will become unbeatable, NO .  

the only product that has made me all warm and fuzzy on the inside in the last 4 years of bassfishing are the shortshank treb hooks for hardbaits.

I even started a thread on here when they first came last year ,  im not  getting a check or free hooks from Mustad . This year at the sportsman show i went back to the Mustad Booth and thank the gentlemen who showed me those hooks , had he not been there last year i wouldnt have even known about the product untill later that year when "KVD won yet another classic using those hooks ". 

So Did the no name rep at the sportsman show make a difference in my world way before KVD did ? lol  

 

My overall point here is that we have to support the bigger picture. There are sooo many bass anglers nationwide that are motivated by product for different reasons . Some are just fans and want to offer support to there hero's of the sport , Some are just clueless about the sport and just know that KVD won the event using this bait so how can i go wrong by purchasing it for myself , even though they have only caught a total of 5 bass on cranks in there life. Others are the tourney anglers that feel like they would rather have that bait in there box so that they are at a disavantage by not having it .. 

 

I "expect" Professionals to rep there brand every chance they get , And i also expect these companies to continue to support there Staff members for years ahead , At the end its all a win~win for everyone involved and it ensures the longevity of the great sport called Bass Fishing...

If the day comes about when there are "No sponsors to thank"  we will have a much major problem in the fishing community overall .

 

Dez   

 

  

Permalink Reply by Mike Bess on March 8, 2011 at 9:42pm

I cant stop laughing....  Sorry Dez but that's some funny sh$t

Buddy said:

Following this was difficult. Did you go to middle school in jail?

BigBass Dez said:

                                              "I would like to thank my sponsors"

 

Lets be honest here guys , "Money&Product" are great Motivational tools in any sport in our nation when athletes wishes are to become an iconic figure within there sport .It doesnt matter if we are talking about KVD ,Micheal Jordan,Dale Earnhardt , etc  When the camara lights turns off and the big crowds go away these guys have to go home to there families and put food on the table no different then the rest of us . I personaly think that when Pro anglers give thanks to there sponsors , there are IMO showing there appreciation to the companies that allows them to fish for living , period !

 

As to what catches my attention when all of this mad media is taking place at the classic , NOT MUCH ! lol 

I find myself more interested in the executions of the anglers gameplans , skillset , ability to properly ajust while in the heat of moment .So what if kevin won on a chart/black cranks made by strikeKing , iv had squarebill crankbaits in my box for years, If i purchase that bait right now does that mean the next time i get on lk washington i will become unbeatable, NO .  

the only product that has made me all warm and fuzzy on the inside in the last 4 years of bassfishing are the shortshank treb hooks for hardbaits.

I even started a thread on here when they first came last year ,  im not  getting a check or free hooks from Mustad . This year at the sportsman show i went back to the Mustad Booth and thank the gentlemen who showed me those hooks , had he not been there last year i wouldnt have even known about the product untill later that year when "KVD won yet another classic using those hooks ". 

So Did the no name rep at the sportsman show make a difference in my world way before KVD did ? lol  

 

My overall point here is that we have to support the bigger picture. There are sooo many bass anglers nationwide that are motivated by product for different reasons . Some are just fans and want to offer support to there hero's of the sport , Some are just clueless about the sport and just know that KVD won the event using this bait so how can i go wrong by purchasing it for myself , even though they have only caught a total of 5 bass on cranks in there life. Others are the tourney anglers that feel like they would rather have that bait in there box so that they are at a disavantage by not having it .. 

 

I "expect" Professionals to rep there brand every chance they get , And i also expect these companies to continue to support there Staff members for years ahead , At the end its all a win~win for everyone involved and it ensures the longevity of the great sport called Bass Fishing...

If the day comes about when there are "No sponsors to thank"  we will have a much major problem in the fishing community overall .

 

Dez   

 

  

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on March 8, 2011 at 10:10pm

I am strange in that i like to try things out for myself and then pass judgement.  I believe it was Santa or his little Elf helper that said I tried like 20 different rod brands just last year... To be honest this isn't far from the truth.  I have tried nearly every brand of rod, reel, and line over the past 3 years.  I now know what works for me and what I prefer.  I do take into account the advise of people I trust and respect, but sales pitches and plugs don't really have much influence on me.  KVD is the best competitive angler on the planet right now, but I am not going to run out and buy a bunch of KVD cranks because he won the classic on them.  Just recently I posted a question about shallow cranks and I got several different responses.  What I ended up doing was picking up a little bit of everything that I thought looked cool... some Little Jons, Speed Traps, RCs, and some SKTs.  I feel like they will all have their place in the end, but I felt it was only right to give them all a chance.

Permalink Reply by Jeff Grimes on March 9, 2011 at 12:07am

I hate to bring NASCAR into this, but those guys are the worst at plugging IMO.  I don't even watch the Sport personally, but the hand full of times I have happened to see an interview with a driver it makes me sick to my stomach.  " The Dunkin Donuts, valvoline, Coca Cola, Kleenex.....Chevrolet ....ran great all day...blah blah blah"  

 

To answer your Question for me....is it depends on what the product is.  The Bass Pro Catalog is full of baits that are flashy, with cool paint jobs and fancy packaging.....and most are designed to catch the fisherman and not necessarily the fish.  We are all guilty I am sure, of buying new lures because " oh, that would work on Potholes...." or "I will bet nobody else would use that color".....or whatever.  I don't get caught up in that rut anymore like I did years ago.  I would try, or at least look at a product more closely, after seeing or reading how it works and the situation it was used in.  With that being said, I don't mean that it would only work in that scenario, but if I could relate it to a Lake, or River...or pond that I am familiar with.....it would strike my attention.  Not all baits fit all Lakes.

 

Square billed crankbaits have been around for years.....but in the past few, they have been given more attention by the guys on TV.  They are not some new invention that KVD used that was a secret until the Classic.  It is obvious, by the fact that a lot of the other guys were using the exact same bait, because of the conditions and structure of the area they were in.  They didn't do anything "outside the box" to finish in the top 5......they all threw spinnerbaits and crankbaits.......and the few other guys flipped.  I would venture to say that Strike King is doing pretty well on their sales of those square bills, because people saw them work on film.  If those same guys....yes...even KVD, were just saying on stage that they caught their fish on so and so crankbait.....I guarantee the sales wouldn't be near the same.  I think partially because most guys watching know that the sponsored guys are required to promote their sponsors and may or may not be telling the truth.  If you see it yourself, there is way more credibility.  

 

Obviously, not all companies can do Television shows or commercials etc, so I will offer this as well.  In order for me to try a new product......I look for good customer service.  As a short example, I recently bought some baits from Panic Minnow.  Never used one , and none of the stores around here stock them. I placed an order, and the next day I got a PM here on this site from Panic Minnow, thanking me for the order and offered a few new bait colors that had just come out.  The order was through a different site.  I am more likely to tell friends about Panic Minnow, even before I used the product, because of friendly service.  Word of mouth is huge in this sport. ( I didn't get a semi-pro staff shirt or anything...lol)  

 

By the way, I went out and fished with those new baits and caught a few fish....which also helps sway me on whether or not I will go back to the company.  

 

 

Permalink Reply by Chad Simon on March 9, 2011 at 5:56am

I personally hate the 30 second "rehearsed" speech thanking sponsors. It's to the point now, where I just tune them out. I do find it rather amusing when I know more about a product than someone who is sponsored by them. If you have a sponsor do your homework, and tell me why your product is the best. I wan't facts! I will listen to certain people, and take their imput; however, some people don't deserve to have their sponsors.

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