I recently tried to contact a couple of guys on FB who definitely run their own page, or at least it seems like it, to ask them some professional fishing related questions. I noticed that it showed that they read or at least opened the message, but didn't respond. It wasn't a particularly long message or question and might have required 1 minute.

Given benefit of the doubt, understanding that it might have been around an event or something, and including the fact that they might have simply forgotten, I didn't get frustrated or let that affect their integrity in my mind, but it made me wonder: If I was a professional fisherman, would I make it a point to respond/correspond with as many of my fan requests as possible or are there more important things?


With no personal agenda in mind, I want to know what you think.

As a fan/investor (given that you buy their sponsors products, the number one purpose of sponsoring a high profile or pro angler) should a pro be expected to correspond with fans, specifically on social media?

I wouldn't expect them to respond to all of them, I'm sure they get tons of messages.

Being that bass fishing isn't a highly followed sport . They should do what they can with the fans . Only time you really hear from them is when the sponsor fountain went dry . See how that works?

this is kind of off subject, but getting ready to go to classic in a couple weeks. It is funny to see their "week to be famous." And good for them. Point being, nobody outside of fishing knows who they are

Who buys a product just because they sponsor it? I know they hey paid to say it is good so I trust them as much as a used car salesman. Lol.

I'm sure that some do take the time but think about it, you said your question would only take about 1 minute to answer but what if 100 fans are asking questions each day? That adds up and they still need to work and then have the same family life that you expect. I don't expect to answer questions about my professional field when I am off work.

I don't think you should expect them to have the time. Many do it in a blog type fashion or published article where they can do something for their fans within their time constraints.

No. Between tournaments, travel, promotional appearances, tackle shows, TV and radio spots, input into design of their sponsor's products through meetings and media weeks, the top guys don't really have much free time. When they do, most like to spend it with family. There are only so many hours in a day. I can't imagine any of the "top" guys having the time to reply to every question asked by fans on facebook.

Justin Lucas has answered several questions for me on social media as well as Mark Daniels JR. Might try them

Did your question pertain directly to a product in which they promote?

If yes, then great question, but I wouldn't expect them to respond directly. You're one of a thousand messages they recieved last week.

If no, then I am not suprised in the lack of response.

As an example, just go on Facebook and look at a simple post that any pro makes. Take Gerald Swindle or Alton Jones for instance, each has a ton of followers. The simplest post, something as stupid as "hitting the road for the classic" turns into 10k comments, less than half of which say good luck or "I am pulling for you" everyone starts right in on, "how can I catch more fish on my local lake", "how do you like those Lowrance graphs" etc.. You can only imagine what their PM boxes look like everyday.

Hardly any of them run their own page, it is run by their buddy or the wife or the agent of some sort. One thing I've seen is if they are not on site for a promo or demo, they are fishing, if they aren't doing either one of those they are driving to the next one.

They are marking the message as "read" so the little alert number goes away.

There is no time.

Expected too??? No it is their life and they have the choice to do what pleases them and handle their business...

That said, I personally think they are foolish to not do it.

Pro's consistently make WAY more money off sponsorships and building themselves as a brand. So it behooves them imo to make sure the little guy loves them (look at G.Man)

Gman and The big show have answered my questions, Jacob wheeler invited me to go fish with him when he was on Fayette one time via social media. I think it all depends on who your messaging.

Was at the gas station the other day in Del Rio, Texas, and a BASS LEGEND there was filling up his boat. I watched (2) different people approach him with cameras, and another just "flat out loud guy." I was thinking, all this guy wants to do is get to the boat ramp, yet he was delayed at the gas pump by another 30 min or so?

Don't get me wrong, I was feet from the guy filling up my truck but in NO WAY did I want to or alter his valuable time. I would of said a simple hello had we crossed paths at the door or something.

He was very polite to the people, which impressed me alot. Bottom-line, I wouldn't have changed a thing or done anything differently.

I actually think most do more than you think. You haven't been the lucky one to get a response but it definitely happens. For example I liked and commented on a Youtube video of a Pro's show....he responded via an email directly to me inviting me to fish with him when he fishes here this year for an elite event. I thought that was well above a normal "response."

As a few have mentioned, the timing, availability, question type, response required and many other factors come in to play when they respond. Look at Timmy Horton. He answers fan questions/comments every day on FB. He doesn't have to do that but it's a great way for him to reach his fan base and communicate with them all the time. These dudes are busy. No doubt about it.

There should not be any expectation. They should interact with fans at events and sponsors promotions but I don't think there should be any expectation via social media. That being said I have asked a couple of guys questions on Facebook and they responded to me. Keith Combs responded almost immediately. I think it depends on the angler and also how well known/popular the angler is.

Many pro have someone run their social media page. The answers you get back are not even the real pros answers.

^^^^^^^ only 24 hours in a day and 7 days a week.