+10

Well I don't have sponsors and have never looked for them either. I am contacted from time to time by small tackle companies wanting to send me product to try. If I catch fish on it and like the product I see no harm in giving them a leg up. Over the last 2 years I have only had 2 products that I felt comfortable mentioning. One of the products a client brought on board my boat, and wanted me to teach him how to use it. We caught a lot of fish on it so I included it in a report. The owner saw the report and offered me some to try, and I took him up on the offer. He has a great product and when I get on a pattern where his product works I will mention it again. Otherwise I try not to mention brands at all..... unless Zoom bait company is watching hint hint.

I fish against the fish not the fisherman! ! yes i like to win but I like seeing my friends on the road to so if we can help each other we will !!

i tell the truth cause every one thinks its a lie any way and hey if it helps some one else catch a fish or two i say good for them i think every one forgets were supposed to have fun and help our fellow man out i know alot of people will disagree but to each is there own im new at this sport but i love it and dont think any one really knows wat a fish is thinking all the time i think its just putting something that looks like food in front of there face and youll eventually get bit so lie if u must it dont matter to me im going to catch em eventually

what are you talking about... everyone knows i catch all my fish on a GRANDEBASS RATTLE SNAKE!

Ive had sponsors in the past, nothing major just entry level but I took it just as serious as a big money sponsor and always told the truth. If I caught fish on my sponsor bait I would say so, if I didn't I would say what kind of bait without mentioning a manufacturer. If you lie and get caught it ruins credibility and that is part of what your sponsor is paying for. Lose your credibility, lose your sponsor.

the only time a fisherman lies is when his lips are moving

Good post!!

LOL while using your "rocket rod" & when they didnt hit that you picked up the ole trusty "Ronco Pocket Fisherman and let the "Banjo Minnows" fly!

Early in my career, as much as I hate to admit it, I was guilty as charged at an event on LOZ. I put a lot of emphasis (and rightly so) on doing everything I could for my sponsors. It did not take me long to realize that sacrificing my integrity was in no way a benifit to those who were supporting me event after event.

Here is where the real problem lies, If im fishing another brand of jig other than one produced by my sponsors, and on a given day I have to use a competitors jig to get results, what happens to the guys/girls who run out after a Saturday tournament to get my sponsors jigs for a Sunday tournament, and get very poor results because my sponsors jigs don't really do well under the present conditions, now instead of happy repeat customers, there are a few out there who got bad results from a great product because of my dishonesty, when I know all along that my sponsors jig was not right for the job, who gains anything from that situation?

Bottom line, be honest, or say nothing at all. I have the best sponsors in the world, who's products I believe in and used in a variety of situations before my relationship with these companies was ever formed, they all deserve my best effort and total honesty.

i catch all my fish on hooks.

I think they should really say what they caught them on.
When they lie it just makes us want to go buy a 15 dollar lure that doesnt work any better then a 3 dollar lure

I stand corrected - I just got the REAL story on my previous post from the actual fisherman involved (who was never named), and apparently the story that had been circulating about those events was incorrect.

I'm definitely not saying that i do it, I have no reason to.. Heck i'm usually the most honest dude out there. If i dont want people to know what i'm throwin just dodge the question.. I was just simply stating some people are going to do it anyway.. Just like telling people stealing is wrong, and yet boats still get broken into. It's funny sometimes though, especially when everyone knows its B.S..

I won't mention the marina but a long time ago a guide out of that marina would come in and have photos taken of his catch and the bait he used was whatever the marina had a surplus of or a big markup on.I am not to sure how ethical that was but they did sell more baits.