There have been many words written lately about how to go about becoming a pro staff angler. It’s true that in this growing sport there are many opportunities. When pondering the next step in your fishing career, you need to gauge your level of dedication before seeking that pro staff spot.
Is representing a particular company an extension of your lifestyle? Are both the company and your own goals aligned? If you want truly meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships as a pro staffer you need to be prepared to be truly dedicated and willing to sacrifice. It is a matter of discipline and the true payoff occurring in the long run.
Fishing Skill: How to Become a Pro Staff Angler
The growth of the sport is what allows us to grow as kayak anglers ourselves. One needs to have a primary focus on what they can do to benefit both the sport and the companies sponsoring it, as an individual. I started by participating in local tournaments and then directing regional tournaments. I have been able to witness the growth of the sport and provide valuable feedback for my sponsors as well as grow a consumer base for them.
Whether for fun or reward tournaments bring great value to the sport. As a pro staffer, tournaments are great places to show off your gear. Part of being dedicated is attending national events and helping grow the sport through your participation, win or lose. Remember, if you are wearing someone’s logo you are representing a company. Your actions both on and off the water are a reflection of that company.
Skills First, Then Glory
On the subject of winning and losing in the tournament scene, most companies look at tournament success as secondary to how well an angler is dedicated to his or her responsibilities and local dealership. With that said, you should have some good fishing skills before you decide to start looking for pro staff deals. You don’t need to win every tournament, but you should have some consistency.
It is important to build your fishing skills first, before reaching out to a company or brand. Most successful pro staffers spend much of their time catching big fish. Whether guiding, competitive fishing or just fishing for fun, you need to have a steady stream of pictures, videos, etc. These days, social media is a huge part of promoting products. It is also a great way to promote yourself.
It is easy to recognize someone who posts big fish all the time. Learning to master social media promotion is important, but being a good angler comes first. Nobody will take you seriously if you have a bunch of stickers and hashtags, but no slob knocker fish centered in the shot.
Attend Trade Shows, Events and Tournaments
As important as it is to attend tournaments and promote your company online, people like to mingle with the “experts” in person at other events and off the water. If you are a pro staffer you should have expert knowledge of your company’s products. You should be able to conduct seminars and answer questions at events. You should also be promoting events where your company will be present.
I use these types of situations to hand out flyers for kayak tournaments, demo days and guide days. You will find people love to talk fishing everywhere. It is your job to show how successful you have been using your company’s products and what sets them apart. These are also great places to help grow the sport by talking to other anglers about the benefits of kayak fishing.
Dedicate Yourself
Once you are ready to fish, travel, film, and write then you need to figure out what companies will benefit you and the companies you can benefit. It’s a two-way street. If you have already made a name for yourself, you may find companies contacting you.
As many have written lately, sometimes a company is basically getting free advertising while you receive only a small discount. I have chosen companies whose product I already use and endorse. You should not be cramping your style by switching products just for a pro staff deal. This is one of my most important pieces of advice: your pro staff deal should be an extension of your lifestyle. It should be a natural relationship.
I would basically live out of my Hobie Pro Angler if I could, so it is pretty natural for me to represent the “Hobie Way of Life.” This point carries all the way to your gear and your baits. If the company’s products are successful for you, you will be more successful for the company. Remember, that is important that the deal is mutually beneficial and there can be subtle benefits. If you rep your company well they will promote you well and benefit your personal fishing career in the long run. This is a rapidly growing sport. If you are willing to dedicate yourself to the sport and the company and develop a well-rounded skill set as a pro staffer, only the sky is the limit.
Many fishing fanatics want to become a pro staff angler, but they don’t know what it means. | Feature photo: Kevin Workman
