What's going to be your goal in tournament fishing for the 21st century? Are you interested in draw events, pro-am, or team tournaments? I've fished all of these and enjoy each, but the most fun and rewarding for me has been team events. The professional events receive the most press and television airtime and everyone is impressed with the hundreds of thousands of dollars that are won. But don't let that fool you. The events are great but keep in mind, entry fees are generally over $1000 with several hundred anglers. I've read figures that say that there are less than 100 anglers nationwide who make their living just by fishing tournaments.

I'll be the first to admit that I've been really fortunate and blessed to make a living fishing, but if I had to count on just tournaments alone I would have gone broke long ago. You've got to have the support of your family first and foremost. If you don't you will have a very tough time. My wife Diane has always supported every decision I've made in regards to my fishing career. That support hasn't always been easy for her either.

Good sponsors are the next things you have to have. The most misunderstood thing among aspiring professional anglers is that the last thing on their list, when looking at your resume, is how well you fish. How well you can help promote their product is what comes first with them, not just wearing their logo at weigh-in. While wearing their logo is important, it's also important how you conduct yourself in public, how well you speak and how professionally you represent their company name and product.

The best way to acquire sponsors is just like everything else in life. Most often it's who you know. With boats, that means knowing a reputable boat dealer. A boat dealer can help you obtain boat sponsorship. Find one that supports tournament fishing. Not all boat dealership owners do. My dealer, Jeff Gilbert of Fun-n-Sun Boating Center (Texas), is a big proponent of the tournament industry and was instrumental in helping me get Champion Boats as a sponsor. But what that also means is that I've always been available to him if he needs my help. Being loyal is important and Jeff knows that he has my loyalty and that I work to promote the products he sells. Knowing they can depend on you will help them go to bat for you with sponsorships.

This kind of relationship doesn't happen overnight, it takes time. Of course this is easy for me to say. Fun-n-Sun is one of the best dealerships in the country bar none.

The other thing that will help you the most to jump-start a fishing career is to seek sponsorship outside the fishing industry. The first place to look is at your tow vehicle or SUV. Automobile dealerships work differently than fishing industry sponsorships. I'm lucky that Nichols Ford of Fort Worth looked elsewhere than the usual football or baseball players for promotions. They sponsored Paulie Ayala, the champion boxer and myself. I'm not a world champion like Paulie, but I work hard for Nichols and whenever Ken Nichols needs my help, he has it. I help with promotions at the dealership on Fridays and Saturdays and take managers or sales personnel fishing (always happy to help with this task). Not every dealership or business can help you with such a large contribution as a vehicle, but help with entry fees or other expenses is valuable as well. Start small and allow it to grow as you've demonstrated your ability to promote for them.

In closing, the most important aspect of sponsorship is selecting quality products. Always go with companies or products you can believe in and have faith in. It's not easy to promote something that you do not have complete faith in. Should larger professional events, where such sponsorships are a must, not be your choice you can fish team events just for fun. Like I said some of the most fun events I've fished have been regular team tournaments. There are many levels of competition from amateur to pro and fishing the type of event that gives you the satisfaction you seek will keep you happier.

Reprinted with exclusive permission from Honey Hole Magazine, Inc.

By Bill Wilcox