Five industry veterans, including Bassmaster Elite Series anglers Shaw Grigsby, Bernie Schultz and Kevin VanDam, have teamed up to form Professional Angler Resources, a firm aimed at offering guidance and information to those looking to build a career in fishing.
Grigsby, Schultz and VanDam, who have a combined 80 years of experience at the sport’s top level, along with media veterans Ken Duke and Nathan Benson, have developed a web-based network from which members can learn the ropes and ins and outs of a professional career in fishing.
The curriculum-based content covers such topics as identifying potential sponsors, creating a résumé, soliciting sponsors, working with media, using social media to build your brand and more. In addition to digital content, PAR plans a series of in-person workshops in the fall and winter that members can attend to meet with advisors face-to-face.
"Now more than ever, an aspiring angler needs the help we offer with PAR," said VanDam. "For decades, anglers have been fighting for a piece of the sponsorship and promotional pie that doesn't seem to grow very quickly. What is growing, however, is the number of anglers trying to get it. That's where PAR comes in."
"With all of the high school and college bass fishing programs out there today, our sport has never been more competitive," added Schultz. "If you're hoping to break into the sport and make it your career, you'll need the skills and advantages that we teach at PAR."
Monthly and annual memberships to PAR are available with additional benefits offered to those who make a year-long commitment. Those benefits include access to discount and VIP pricing on products from companies that sponsor Grigsby, Schultz and VanDam.
For PAR's launch, Zebco/Quantum is offering PAR members a 40 percent discount on PT series reels and a 50 percent discount on PT series rods. Star Brite, a maker of boat cleaning and engine treatment products, is offering a free introductory package of its products to anyone who joins PAR. Additionally, Rapala is offering VIP pricing to all PAR members on all of its brands.
“As a pro staff manager, I interact with lots of anglers looking for sponsorship. It's rare to find a guy who makes my decision easy," says Rapala field promotions manager Dan Quinn. "PAR is going to teach anglers what they need to do to get the attention of a company and be a productive pro staffer. It's going to benefit anglers, and it's really going to benefit the companies they represent.”
To learn more, visit http://www.ProAnglerResources.com.
