Story by Robert Wroblewski | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
When people think about sponsorships in professional fishing, most immediately picture social media posts, videos, pictures, product tags, maybe a discount code thrown in. That’s all fine and good, but I’ve come to learn that there’s so much more to representing a sponsor than just throwing up content online. Social media has its place, but I believe it’s just one small part of a much bigger picture.
I’ll be honest with you, I don’t have the biggest following out there. Compared to many anglers across the country, my numbers are on the smaller side. I’m not one of those big-name influencers who can sell thousands of products with a single click or story. And to be real, I’ve always tended to shy away from social media. The reason is simple: it can be toxic. It’s easy to scroll too long, compare yourself to others, or even slip down a rabbit hole that has nothing to do with fishing or personal growth. I’ve learned to protect my energy, and for me, that means not living my life glued to my phone screen.
Now, that doesn’t mean I don’t see the value in social media. It’s a tool, and like any tool, it works best when used the right way. But sponsors don’t just sign anglers because they want Instagram reels. At the end of the day, selling products is usually their number one goal. They’re investing in you, and in return, you’ve got to show them that the investment is worth it. That goes way beyond hashtags.
One of the ways I try to give back is by making it a point to stop at tackle stores when I’m on the road. Every event takes me to a new state, and that means new opportunities to connect. I walk into these stores, introduce myself, and talk about the products I represent. I’ll tell you straight up, most times, the answer is “no.” Not everyone wants to listen, not everyone is interested, and not everyone is ready for change. But every so often, you find someone who is open. And that’s where the work begins.
Building relationships with tackle shops, dealers, and business owners is just like building trust with anyone else, it takes time. Sometimes it comes together quickly, and you can see progress right away. Other times it might take months, or even years, before that connection really turns into something solid. The key is to stay persistent. If you believe in the product you’re representing and you stay consistent in your efforts, people will eventually take notice.
This year has been a blessing for me in that area. I’ve done my best to do right by my sponsors, whether that meant selling products, promoting them to anglers and customers, or creating opportunities that might lead to bigger investments down the road. It’s not always easy, but when I see progress, it’s worth every bit of effort.
I’ve also learned that being persistent only works if you’re realistic, too. You can’t expect every conversation to end in a deal, and you can’t expect every effort to pay off right away. But if you keep a level head, stay grounded, and keep showing up, eventually doors will open. The biggest opportunities in this industry don’t happen overnight, they happen because someone sees that you’re in it for the long haul, that you’re willing to put in the time, and that you’re genuinely invested in what you represent.
So, if I could give advice to anyone chasing sponsorships, it would be this: build genuine relationships with the companies you want to represent. Don’t start out by asking for free products, money, or favors. Instead, do your part first. Prove to them that investing in you is worth their time and attention. Be consistent, be professional, and above all, be patient.
Once that relationship is built, you’ll start to understand the big picture of what being sponsored is really all about. It’s not just about wearing a logo on your jersey or posting a picture online, it’s about being an extension of that brand, a person who helps connect their products to real people. That’s the kind of representation that lasts.
Robert Wroblewski – Angler Profile
