:Be Smart

Woo Daves of Spring Grove, Virginia, has fished in many BASS Master Classics and over 180 tournaments. At 53 years of age, Daves, one of the senior citizens of the professional bass-fishing circuit, has seen anglers come and go and has proved he has staying power. Although Daves only has won two tournaments, he has a long list of sponsors and a tremendous number of fans.

"If a youngster asks me what he needs to do to become a pro and get sponsors, I encourage him to fish as much as he can," Daves commented. "If he's too young to fish on his own, I encourage him to get other people to take him fishing until he can consistently be successful at catching bass. "Next I tell him to get a college education. Even if he doesn't have enough money to pursue a four-year degree, he should take courses in public speaking and in writing. Sponsors are looking for a clean-cut young man who can catch bass and then stand up in front of a crowd of people and tell them how to catch bass and teach them how to use the sponsors' products. To perform that task, you have to be able to speak clearly, distinctly and positively in front of a group. You also need to wear nice clothes and try and be a role model.

"Too, if you want to become a serious tournament fisherman and attract the sponsors you need to make a living at fishing, you need to accumulate enough money to be able to support yourself three to five years on the tournament circuit. In those three to five years, you'll have to prove you're worthy of sponsorship.

"You have to develop the attitude those first years on the bass-fishing circuit that you're there to learn how to catch bass and how to work with sponsors. Watch the older pros. Consider yourself a student. Learn how they talk to sponsors, what they do for their sponsors and what causes the sponsors to choose one pro over another. Don't fish the circuit to show everyone what you know. Once you have sponsors, you must work hard for those sponsors and continue to prove to them that they've made a good choice in picking you over other pros."

Daves helps his sponsors by having hand-held cardboard fans made in the shape of a bass that he gives out to spectators at tournaments with his name, a drawing of himself and a list of his sponsors imprinted on them. He pays for the expense of having the fans made himself. Daves also contacts the local press before a tournament and makes himself available for interviews.

Many bass fishermen adopt the idea that they want to get as much product and as much money as they can from their sponsors while doing the least amount of work for them. But a large group of companies always has sponsored Daves because he never fails to give more than what's required to his sponsors. For example, if a line of people waits for Daves' autograph, he rarely will leave until he signs every tablet.

To attract sponsors, you must work harder and give more time to the sponsors and to the press than the people who don't have sponsors. Regardless of how many tournaments you win or how good a fisherman you consider yourself, sponsors don't owe you any money or product. Many sponsors believe they already provide the products you need for success by making the best rods, reels and lures they can. Never attempt to get sponsors by going to them and asking for products or money.

To attract sponsors, have the reputation of always fishing hard and promoting product effectively everywhere and every time you can. Then sponsors will come looking for you. The fisherman who receives the most from manufacturers gives the most to manufacturers in time spent promoting and tournament wins.