The internet is perfect for angling nomads to anchor their marketing machines. Bass fishing pros are taking to the web to build their name to garner fan and financial support!
Bass Cat/Yamaha pro Michael (Ike) Iaconelli rocks the web with original music and fonts establishing his home page “on-the-edginess”. Launched shortly after his 2003 Classic win, Ike went to the web to get ideas from the likes of Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and others…no angler sites! Ike used a designer, met through fishing who didn’t specialize in pro anglers.
Well-stocked for those fishing for information MikeIaconelli.com links to takemefishing.org and sponsors. But, Ike’s site is about branding. Audio CD’s, DVD’s shirts, hats and his book, Fishing on the Edge, are available. His member page allows guests to ask questions, professional and personal. Monthly more than 6,000 fans oblige. It’s a win-win for sponsors and fans when special offers are given to web members. A well-balanced site satisfies sponsors with banner advertising fattening up Ike’s bottom line. Ike’s handpicked Google ads pay for site upkeep. Iaconelli enhances his image with on-the-web generosity pledging $2 for each pound of bass he catches on tour donated to the “V” Foundation for Cancer Research. Ike challenges his fans to pay pound pledges as well!
For Ranger/Evinrude pro Pete Gluszek, PeteGluszek.com is a resume and promotional demonstration. Subdued smooth jazz music greets browsers with images of his performances and impressive pro record. “The website is a way for fans and sponsors to connect with you, building your brand.” Gluszek acknowledges he’s in the entertainment business and his site, while still under construction, will continue in that direction. Expanding his base, Gluszek’s site will include diary style information for fans and avid anglers! Assessing conditions, winning patterns, and mistakes, Gluszek's “Post Mortem” helps fishermen understand fish behavior patterns and movements. In addition, Gluszek’s “Tales from the Trail” reveals “stuff nobody hears about…bloopers, blunders…interesting things that happen on the trail...fish stories are the most entertaining things in this business!” He also “tells all” recounting trail talk with pros like Larry Nixon, Denny Brauer, and Michael Iaconelli. Answering questions and live chat are on his web drawing board.
“The more exposure we can generate the better off we are to satisfy our sponsors. I think you’re going to start to see more video on websites…I want to get involved with it to help connect with my fans”. Gluszek also promotes his unique “guide” service, a first-come basis opportunity to fish with him on fisheries he’s visiting on tour!
According to Triton/Mercury pro Kurt Dove, KurtDove.com has kept sponsors and fans updated on his accomplishments for 5 years. A quarterly e-newsletter “The Dove Flyer”, keeps fans, friends, current and prospective sponsors, and the media informed about his fishing career. Dove’s “In the Media” section features audio, video and print links providing info for fans, and potential sponsors. New media exposure is updated within 24-48 hours! “I’ve had possible sponsors contact me. They see exposure, actively involved with me as it happens.” Sponsors like BoatUS locate him based on his published schedule for contact and for scheduling events near tournament sites.
Dove’s site is straight forward…no bells and whistles, just up-to-date information! His Bassmaster Elite Series “stage” music, Will Smith’s “Get Jig-gy With It”, uses the fishing (jig) “hook” to generate energy for the browser. “I provide fans and sponsors information they need and want to have.”
As for now, Dove and the others hire webmasters to maintain sites. Dove sees that changing to allow him to interact in a timely manner with fans. So far his site has been growing by word of mouth. Being proactive, Dove also encourages media contacts to mention his site link, visibly promoted on his tournament jersey and boat.
While anglers are still small fish in the internet pond, they're setting the hook to reel in an audience and sponsors. Pro fishermen realize everyone’s gone surfin’ when it comes to branding. While they aren’t ready to swap a mouse for rods, pros are setting their designs on more internet interaction.
Potomac River Bassing in March
The thaw has begun! Time to move and stick some nice fish!
First choice to cover water is the Lucky Craft LVR D-7, lipless crankbait. I like this bait in Mad Craw. It shows up well in stained water and will cover water, locating emerging grass! A slow crawl will get early fish to bite.
Next it’s the Mann’s Classic Spinnerbait in gold Colorado/Indiana blades with a white skirt. Again a slow on-the-bottom presentation will work.
After that, the Carolina Rig! A short, 12-18 inch leader with a 3/0 Mustad Mega Lite hook and a HardNose green pumpkin lizard dragged and stopped in grassy areas will work! A good soaking for all soft plastics in garlic Jack’s Juice will encourage fish to hold on longer.
When water clears, try suspending jerkbaits like Lucky Craft’s Pointer 78 in very clear calm water or the Pointer 100 when water isn’t as clear or on cloudy days. Let sit as long as 30 seconds between snaps. Use Pointers over cover at lower tides during the warmest part of the day.
Split shot, drop shot and shaky head rigs with Mann’s HardNose 5-inch Finesse worms allow you to slow down. Also try 4-inch Mizmo tubes with Gerkin ¼ ounce insert heads and Mann’s 3” Stingray grub. Punisher hair jigs also soak up the attractant and can be fished very slowly!
Downsize to 6-pound test Berkley Sensation and use a 7’ Quantum drop shot spinning rod for these plastics techniques! The bite is light and you need to drag, keeping the bait horizontal to the bottom. When you feel weight, set the hook.
Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide and BoatUS “Ask the Expert” (www.my.boatus.com/askexperts/) Potomac River reports: www.nationalbass.com. Book a trip or purchase gift certificates: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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