Largemouthbass.com Helps Readers Find Pro-Staff Positions

    One goal that seems to sit in the minds of many tournament bass anglers is working to find and secure pro-staff positions with some of the nations leading fishing tackle manufacturers. There are many misconceptions that go along with gaining a pro-staff position, and hopefully by reading of this article you can learn some of these un-truths and locate better opportunities when it comes to locating and retaining such sponsorships.

    The first biggest misconception - you need to be winning major tournaments to get the attention of the sponsors. Granted, public spotlight is always a great tool, but a large misconception is that if you win tournaments, you are guaranteed pro-staff positions. Ask any touring bass pro how often they are approached by companies for sponsorships. It rarely happens. Many of today's biggest and best anglers have to research and approach potential sponsors before getting any recognition. It also a well known fact that tournament pros are often NOT given pro-staff opportunities, because better people are available in the market - these people can be fishing guides, weekend tournament anglers, or just avid anglers who have a passion for the sport and work hard to promote the sponsor's products.

    What, then, are pro-staff team managers looking for - simple... someone who can promote and sell products they produce. A semi-pro angler wearing a logo patch on his/her shirt doesn't sell lures - but an angler who wears the patch, but also takes time to get familiar with the local retailer selling the lures, works with in-store promotions, and takes time to show a lure's features to the end customers (Using a variety of different mediums) will be the one who succeeds in the pro-staff business.

    Having a professional resume (of some sort) is almost mandatory in landing bass fishing sponsorships, and having a few copies on hand can always be a great benefit. Be sure to list your tournament successes, but even more importantly - list as many promotional events you have been involved with. This can include seminars, times featured in magazines/newspapers, store promotions, and the like. Even things as small as teaching fishing to children at community centers or churches can be vital in getting the attention you need to land a sponsorship. Getting the first opportunity can sometimes be the most difficult, but once you land the first pro-staff slot (and work that opportunity to its maximum potential), it only gets easier to locate other opportunities.

    If any of you are looking for potential sponsorship opportunities, there is a nationwide spinnerbit and buzzbait company currently seeking pro-staffers in a variety of markets across the nation. If you have a track record to do what it takes (or have the ambition to do what it takes) - we may have a great opportunity available for www.largemouthbass.com readers and members. Curt Strutz, who serves as a writer on this site, is also the pro-staff coordinator for Leverage Lures. Curt has recently been given the assignment to locate about 20 anglers across the country in specific markets to fill pro-staff positions. Leverage lures is seeking to pair up pro-staff anglers with specific major retail stores who carry the line of baits - letting them work together to promote the lures to the customers who visit the store every month. This is a great opportunity for the experienced angler, yet can be a great opportunity for the angler who wants to land that first sponsorship opportunity. More information about the Leverage Lure's baits can be located at the www.bassbait.com web site. If any www.largemouthbass.com readers are interested, they are encouraged to contact Curt via e-mail at fishseminars@peoplepc.com. Even if you are not interested, and know of anybody who may be - encourage them to visit this web site and get further information. It is a great product-level sponsorship that can benefit anybody who is dedicated.

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