What it means to be a Pro

[Hanr3]

Kudos!!!!
Excellent job.

I try and do the same thing, even though I don't have all the fancy name branded products on my shirt or boat. I will stop and donate my minnows to a family bank fishing, or a family heading out for the day. I'll offer tips or locations to find fish. We are all ambassadors, fishing ambassadors.

Thanks for lighting a candle, maybe one day they will carry the torch.

[deltarat]

That is a great story. The businesses that you represent should be proud to have you as their ambassador. You are a gentleman, sir.

[funfishers]

I appreciate your story, as a young man I envied the life of a Resort owner or fishing guide, wasn't aware of fishing pros at the time.
Now I fully realize that all three categories work their butts off night and day, it's no easy living and the dollars you earn are hard earned.

[chaunc]

Good job. I've been doing that for a long time now. When Microspoons asked me if I'd represent their product, I accepted and put a big sticker across both sides of my boat. People would stop to ask me about the product and I would give them some to try. Even guides would ask and I'd give them some too. I give away a lot of plastics and cranks, even linecounter reels that I know I won't be using as I've upgraded to different models. I've ordered extra CDC stickers just to pass out to future members and businesses to get members here to use them. Last week I cleaned out my front room closet and found five tackle boxes under the other stuff. Two had handheld GPS in them among other numerous good stuff. I have some friends that own and work a baitshop on one of my favorite lakes. One of their son works as a dock boy there. I packed as much as I could get into the biggest box and donated to him to share with the dock crew. I'm at that age now where I know I'll never be able to use all the stuff I've accumulated over the years, so why let it sit around when I know someone will enjoy using it. I don't represent any companies anymore but still pass out a lot of products that I use to catch crappies. If you see me on the lake or at the ramp, ask me what I'm using and I'll be more than happy to share what's working.

[Hillbilly4949]

Great job...

[bee]

Thank You for the post. I am just a dirt launch guy so thanks again for doing what you did and do.

[wicklundrh]

The crappie dot com family is unlike any other fishing forum out there. Most of us share information, tips, tricks, and secrets with not just fellow members but people we see and interact with out on the lakes, rivers, and streams.

I've been doing this for quite awhile now. As I said, most of the time, I'm doing it on behalf of my sponsors. I didn't write the post to shed light on "ME" but rather what "WE" all can do as sportsman and women and outdoors enthusiast. There are tons and tons of little kids, and people that are less fortunate than I am that can benefit greatly from the generosity that we as sportsman can show.

Too many times we talk about the annoying things that are happening and how the culture of America is changing. Although I don't feel I can make a drastic impact on any of that, if I can effect one person every time I am on the water, then that might carry over for the future of our sport and our country!

Many times I have given stuff away that I have purchased out of my own pocket. These actions and decisions "we" as sportsmen make can and will have a lasting effect on the future generations. Sure, my job is to get the product knowledge out there so that people can purchase products from companies I represent. The difference is that there are several ways that this can be done. Name recognition is just one way. Most companies splatter there name over everything in the hopes that someone will remember them when they go to purchase something. Me on the other hand, I like to provide a kind gesture, a helping hand, information, and tips and tricks. People remember "the person" that showed them something, gave them something, or took time out of their day to talk to them. They recognize the products he represents. As a result, they associate those products with the person!

We all have "stuff". And lots of it! Next time you are at the dock and you see a young child fishing on the bank, getting the boat ready with mom or dad, grandpa or grandma, head over and strike up a conversation. Give him a package of baits, a few jigs, or some Crappie dot com stickers. I always ask Ed to send me a few extra stickers, a hat or two, and always have youth stuff in my vehicle and my boat. Over the last few years, I've gotten several items from Ed with CDC logos on them (pocket knives, flashlights, visors, t-shirts) and I don't think I have kept any of them. Not because I am not gracious of his generosity, but I feel they can be better served in the hands of some young fisherman or women who could use it more than I can!

[sinkermaker]

Excellent post keep doing what you are doing and hopefully the rest will follow. Thanks for sharing.

[skeetbum]

I didn't add something that has now come to mind, and would like you all to consider. We have spoken of putting an advantage in someones hand, be it a jig, body. or just a few words of encouragement or a way to improve their presentation. I wasn't double digit in age and met a man when fishing with my brother one day. I had never caught a Bass, and this man seemed to be getting all he wanted. He was using a plastic worm, of all things. Made by a company called Creme and it looked just like a nightcrawler. Well I have to tell you I was enthralled that he could take a piece of plastic and catch fish like no tomorrow. Before we parted, he gave me one of these magic worms, and I believe that I never put it on a line because I fooled with it so much that I wound up breaking it into pieces. My point is that 50 years down the road, I can see that happening fresh in my mind.

Fast forward these many years and I have learned to tie jigs, pour jigheads with sickle hooks, paint crankbaits, and catch fish on a regular basis. At a ramp or on the water, folks ask questions or look at my rods to see what I'm using. Folks look at a hand tied jig and are amazed that someone that they can talk to and ask questions has made this wonderful thing. I learned this early on after tying my first jig, and they have become a kind of currency among fishermen and women. I couldn't guess how many I have tied. I have carried a box of these for years. It's a great thing to open a box of them and push it across the front deck in a parking lot and tell them to pick a couple. No matter who they are, a bridge was just crossed and you're now a friend. These small things do so much for the receiver, kind of like giving fish to a neighbor who isn't able to go anymore for one reason or another. I'm no shining example, but hit the mark now and then. Starting up that conversation might just make you a pleasant memory 50 years from now.

[Ketchn]

Most that know me know myself and a bud or 2 have very similar thoughts on this subject . I won't ever be a pro though as it's not in me to be competitive . I typically don't worry about who ketched the most or the biggest , but to be Sure I take lots of time to help anyone that thinks I can help them and give a terribly large number of tips and baits away .
There isn't a lot of things out there that can come close to seeing some little one ketch a first fish or a big fish and there are then the parents that typically smile just as big and seem just as grateful.
Nice read and kudos for not being like some of the "pro" types I have met in the past .