Do you think professional anglers get ALL their tackle and gear for free?

Think again! I am starting a new series on YouTube that highlights exactly what I am purchasing and why from stores like Tackle Warehouse, Tackle Addict, Bass Pro Shop and any other small town tackle stores I come across in my travels. A Tour level bass pro being totally open and transparent discussing the actual products I am buying and intend to use straight out of the bag or box! Keep in mind that I am a low budget angler on Tour as well compared to a lot of guys! I came up with this idea while doing my taxes and counting the massive pile of receipts(while getting dirty looks from my wife). Let me know what you think about the first video and how you think I can improve on this series.

I like it. Good job and good luck

Thank you for sharing, appreciate your input.

If they do it is a very select few. Way less then what everyone thinks.

I know they don’t. Ever try to buy tackle during an open? Every store is sold out of everything that works.

Years ago I went thru the Grapevine BPS checkout line behind David Fritts. He bought and paid for a dozen chrome rattle traps just like us common folks.

They get sponsorship money but not free tackle and equipment?????

Most Likely Yes but only sponsor lures. They have to buy other brands as mentioned above.

Thanks for sharing the info. I saved the video to
Watch later and subscribed to the channel.

Tough to guide and tournament fish.

I always thought they got some stuff free, some stuff discounted, and paid just like Joe Fisherman for other stuff. For example, KVD probably gets more "free" stuff but has a name to exchange for getting "free".

So I guess the amount of free depends on who you are. Four time world champs get more than a guy that has finished in the top 10 6 times in his last 100 T's. (just an example).

The guys I knew back in the early 2000’s never got much for free. Discounts and priority orders and new stuff first yes but not free. And many times those sponsorships required their time at boat/fishing events etc.. Anything not sponsor based was paid for just like everyone else. The biggest myth is that they all get free boats every year. Those aren’t free and you better be able to move it when your are done with it.

I would have to think that some of them have GOT to get their sponsor's lures for free. What do you think a $6.00 Strike King lure really costs, making millions at a time? 50 cents?