Bass fishing tournaments keep getting bigger and bigger.
The recent winner of the Bass Master Classic just took home $500,000.
That's half a million dollars for catching fish.
Isn't America a great place to live?The top prize for fishing tournaments has grown tremendously for a couple of reasons, but the biggest reason is simply that many fishermen are interested in it and because of that interest, sponsors have been lining up like crazy.
For example, the FLW tour, which holds major fishing tournaments for bass, walleye and saltwater fishing, is sponsored by Walmart, Chevy, BP, Dunkin Donuts, Land o' Lakes and a variety of other sponsors.
It's kind of amazing to see how many non-fishing related sponsors have lined up to support the sport of fishing.
Bass fishermen really enjoy catching bass, whether it is in a big tournament or just a weekend fishing trip.
When bass fishermen see all of these sponsors supporting their favorite thing to do, it makes them want to support these companies.
I personally think its great that anglers are supporting these sponsors and at times, when I am making a purchase, I remember that a certain company is supporting the fishing industry so I pick up their product over another competitor.
An example would be when I'm in the grocery store and I want a candy bar, I am more likely to buy a snickers bar because I know that they support the fishing community.
It may be a small purchase and there is a good chance that I may have bought a snickers bar anyways, but since I have been following the business side of fishing, I haven't eaten too many reeses pieces or milky way bars.
These little purchases go a long way when you think of how many anglers are influenced by what they see on tv.
Anglers are buying trucks and boats to go along with many other products that they see promoted on these bass fishing tournaments.
Hopefully that gives you a little insight of what sponsors have done for the sport of fishing.
Now, let's talk about the anglers.
Most tournament bass fishermen are not extremely successful.
People like to talk about the $500,000 winner, not all of the anglers that didn't make it to the final day or even place high enough to get a decent pay check.
Most of these tournament fishermen have normal jobs and they may guide on the side.
They are hoping to hit it big in a couple of tournaments.
If you get hot in the right tournament, you can find yourself winning $100,000 and landing a few sponsors.
Once this happens, you are on your way, but it only happens to a very small percentage of anglers.
For everyone else, it's back to the day job and wishful thinking for the next tournament.
The recent winner of the Bass Master Classic just took home $500,000.
That's half a million dollars for catching fish.
Isn't America a great place to live?The top prize for fishing tournaments has grown tremendously for a couple of reasons, but the biggest reason is simply that many fishermen are interested in it and because of that interest, sponsors have been lining up like crazy.
For example, the FLW tour, which holds major fishing tournaments for bass, walleye and saltwater fishing, is sponsored by Walmart, Chevy, BP, Dunkin Donuts, Land o' Lakes and a variety of other sponsors.
It's kind of amazing to see how many non-fishing related sponsors have lined up to support the sport of fishing.
Bass fishermen really enjoy catching bass, whether it is in a big tournament or just a weekend fishing trip.
When bass fishermen see all of these sponsors supporting their favorite thing to do, it makes them want to support these companies.
I personally think its great that anglers are supporting these sponsors and at times, when I am making a purchase, I remember that a certain company is supporting the fishing industry so I pick up their product over another competitor.
An example would be when I'm in the grocery store and I want a candy bar, I am more likely to buy a snickers bar because I know that they support the fishing community.
It may be a small purchase and there is a good chance that I may have bought a snickers bar anyways, but since I have been following the business side of fishing, I haven't eaten too many reeses pieces or milky way bars.
These little purchases go a long way when you think of how many anglers are influenced by what they see on tv.
Anglers are buying trucks and boats to go along with many other products that they see promoted on these bass fishing tournaments.
Hopefully that gives you a little insight of what sponsors have done for the sport of fishing.
Now, let's talk about the anglers.
Most tournament bass fishermen are not extremely successful.
People like to talk about the $500,000 winner, not all of the anglers that didn't make it to the final day or even place high enough to get a decent pay check.
Most of these tournament fishermen have normal jobs and they may guide on the side.
They are hoping to hit it big in a couple of tournaments.
If you get hot in the right tournament, you can find yourself winning $100,000 and landing a few sponsors.
Once this happens, you are on your way, but it only happens to a very small percentage of anglers.
For everyone else, it's back to the day job and wishful thinking for the next tournament.