KVD's sponsors products? 2024
Skeet22 reply :
Does anyone else think it is weird that the #1 Bass Fisherman in the world right nows major sponsors which are Quantum and Nitro Boats are two of the most under rated products out there in there class? I am sure Quantum products are first class but for some reason they just do not interest me...Nitro boats appear to be very nice rigs and if they are good enough for KVD then surely they are good enough for us yet you hear people bash them all the time...Just was thinking about that.
BASSclary reply :
Maybe he just kept his sponsors from when he was an up-n-comer. He probably has a very good relationship with the companies and thats important to him, but I dont know if he was ever sponsored by someone else besides Quantum for reels, Nitro for boats, etc.
Im sure he can have any sponsorship he wants though.
JamesH reply :
Tiger Woods is sponsored by Nike golf. And Nike golf products suck, thats not an opinion thats the truth. I don't know what that means towards what you are asking but I'm just throwing that out there.
Grey Wolf reply :
QuoteDoes anyone else think it is weird that the #1 Bass Fisherman in the world right nows major sponsors which are Quantum and Nitro Boats are two of the most under rated products out there in there class? I am sure Quantum products are first class but for some reason they just do not interest me...Nitro boats appear to be very nice rigs and if they are good enough for KVD then surely they are good enough for us yet you hear people bash them all the time...Just was thinking about that.
That's what their hoping but most informed anglers buy what they like and endorsements by the big shots mean very little.
Skeet22 reply :
QuoteTiger Woods is sponsored by Nike golf. And Nike golf products suck, thats not an opinion thats the truth. I don't know what that means towards what you are asking but I'm just throwing that out there.
Your definitly right about that. Kind of makes you wonder what Tiger could do using KING COBRA 
I need to get out and play some more Golf. This Bass Fishing stuff takes up all my play time but I enjoy it so much more than Golf honestly so it does not bother me too bad.
Revo_Carrot Stix reply :
Don't confuse sponsorship with success or personal preference. Contracts or money would convince most of us what products to use. Most notable changes have somewhat been downgrades in my opinion, except for Ike if you're considering the quality/reputation of products.
Skeet went from Abu - Wright Mcgill.
Ike went from Daiwa - Abu.
Bill Dance went from Stren to Seagur.
Linders went from Shimano to Quantum.
If it matters, KVD signature reels and rods have gone from $99 to $299 and $80 to $150 respectively.
Gatorbassman reply :
KVD is not one to jump ship. He has been with Nitro and Quantam from the beginning and he has built a great relationship with them. He can only do so much as an angler. Do you remember when they stopped production of the Z9 Nitro. It wasn't because some government agency called them and told them to do it. It was because Kevin called them from the lake and told them of a big problem. They stopped making them, recalled them, and fixed the problem.
Hot Rod reply :
It also seems that Nitro has grown as KVD has. It would seem that the Nitro brand, at least in the upper end models had improved its quality over the last few years. Though I can't say as I've never owned a Nitro. Just going from what I visually see/here.
Quantum is a good product. Sure some of the cheaper models are real POS but the upper-end stuff is great quality/value. And that is what KVD would be using in tournaments.
Skeet22 reply :
I was checking out a Z9 in BPS Sunday. Pretty impressive the thing has a ton of room. It seems very wide compared to some other brands and just looks plain sick. For the money they may one of thebest bargains out there.
BassThumb reply :
QuoteDo you remember when they stopped production of the Z9 Nitro?It was because Kevin called them from the lake and told them of a big problem. They stopped making them, recalled them, and fixed the problem.
What was the problem?
Morelures reply :
Most of the time the companies that don't get the respect they need and want to keep making money will pay people such as KVD allot more then the other companies will that are already doing fine in there field in hopes to bump sales up. Often even if the product is not great the person will stay with that sponsor to get a paycheck. Look what KVD has done for Strike King once a mainly spinner bait company, now they sell millions on crankbaits. They know for the most part there success has been based around KVD so he is worth the money. And in return he doesn't go else where because Strike King etc. is paying him so much.
Plus who is to say that KVD isn't using a totally different blank rod then the one he sales. He could have the company custom make ones that look just like the ones that are at BPS etc.
Im with you Nitro's are fine, often we think the product makes us, but its not the product it's the guy or women fishing it and there ability to find fish.
Glenn reply :
Plus who is to say that KVD isn't using a totally different blank rod then the one he sales. He could have the company custom make ones that look just like the ones that are at BPS etc.
That's one of the biggest misconceptions about the pros. For some unfounded reason, some people think the pros are using secret baits or tackle. Aside from prototype testing, that simply isn't true. The pros are using the same exact stuff you buy off the shelf at your local tackle store. Their feedback to the company about their products is too valuable to waste it on products the public can't use.
wisconsin heat reply :
QuoteI am sure Quantum products are first class but for some reason they just do not interest me...quote]its probably the price, tats what did it in for me, if i cant get a good reel under $120 or so im not interested... i guess thats whyim an abu fan ;D...although i would like to someday own a quantum for my self, the reels in that price range(quantum code), have bad reviews and when i can compare them to abu or orra sx's, or shimano citiaca's, quantum isnt really on my radar...
OHIO reply :
QuoteQuoteI am sure Quantum products are first class but for some reason they just do not interest me...quote]its probably the price, tats what did it in for me, if i cant get a good reel under $120 or so im not interested... i guess thats whyim an abu fan ;D...although i would like to someday own a quantum for my self, the reels in that price range(quantum code), have bad reviews and when i can compare them to abu or orra sx's, or shimano citiaca's, quantum isnt really on my radar...
I have a Quantum Catalyst in both spinning and casting and they are both great reels for the money.
A couple months ago the baitcasting version was on sale for $100. That's a great deal and if it comes up again you should definitely pick one up.
http://www.***.com/Quantum_Catalyst_Performance_Tuned_Cast_Reel/descpage-QCPTC.html
This is the reel.
Morelures reply :
Glenn: I wasnt saying that he is or has I was just saying that it wouldnt surprise me. And I would bet that it has happened before with other pro's. When a product goes into mass production sometimes it looses the quality it intented to have. I bet the rods that KVD are not the ones that are being pumped out by the thousands but the ones that quality controll are going over many times. I don't think they use secret stuff, I know they are at the top because they know how to find fish.
Just like with custom hand poured baits, its so easy for a pro to use a red/shad 7 inch shakey head worm because the action or impeded scent is better then the "Zoom" product that sponsors him, but the pro tells the public and the magazines he was using "Zoom" because they pay him. Heck, some people will throw a Rat L Trap and then tell the public it was a Strike King red eye shad that won it for them since thats who pays their bills.
CAdeltaLipRipper reply :
Quantum is one of the top reel brands.Just cause theyre owned by zebco doesnt mean anything. I mean for what zebcos are, theyre great. Its not like theyre junk im sure they make the best spincasters. Quantum makes great products.Very stylish,smooth, and durable.As for nitro boats,they also are very nice,just not a ranger or triton or basscat. Nitros have a lot of bells and whistles which is one reason theyre good boats. But when it comes to things like speed, theyre not that great. They go fast dont get me wrong, just not as fast as other top brands. I also think they look pretty nice.I would just rather have a ranger or triton if i had the choice,but would very happily take one if offered ;D
Pros wouldnt take a bad sponser just because of the money.They rely on that product to do what they do every day.They also pick things they are more comftorable with. I mean a rod could be a higher quality than another but you may feel more comfortable with the less one. I dont think they would risk their career over a little less money.Cause im sure winning tournaments will provide a little more money than what an average sponser will pay you in a year
Morelures reply :
Cadelta:
Im not sure what you consider a bad sponsor but Pros go with sponsors that they are not thrilled on all the time because the money is good. If Pepsi comes to him and says here is $10,000 put our logo on your shirt, more then likely the guy is not going to say but I like Coke. Often the pro will have an agency or a manager working for them that has a whole detailed sponsor information sheet ready for when people contact the Pro. The information sheet will tell the company how much it is to get the business logo on the pros shirt truck etc. Sure Pro's will hunt down sponsors they want but they will often take sponsors that find them, once again even if they are not thrilled on them. I don't think they would take a snoopy pole sponsor because it would hurt their image, but they would take a zoom sponsor even if they never throw zoom if the money is good. Pros make allot more on their sponsors then you may think (but then again it all depends on what kind of deal they have (royalties, flow, monthly, yearly, etc).
boneil reply :
Is it possible that maybe kvd fishes with quantum out of a nitro because thats what works best for him, not what nitro and others pay him. With all the success that kvd has had, financially, I don't think he sticks with a paticular sponsor becuase of the money. I would think he could get paid just as much by any other sponsor.
Morelures reply :
Sure its possible but Nitro is smart enough to know that they must pay him enough to keep him happy or he will go with another boat sponsor that is willing to pay him allot more (this is how he makes a good % of his money). If Ranger came and offered him allot more money, he would probably go with ranger once his contract was up. Even if his first pick is Nitro he is still going to use it as an advantage when making a deal with them, its business and to say being a pro isnt a business is like saying a car company isnt a business (they have to sell themselves). This is his job, he loves to fish and compete but he is out to make money and put food on his family's table just like everyone else.
bilgerat reply :
Why does everyone lose sight of the fact that what brand of gear a pro fishes with has almost ZERO bearing on their success ?
As far as someone coming along and waiving more $$ in front of him to get him to jump ship, it doesn't always work like that. There's a relationship there that's taken a long time to develop. There is no price tag on that.
Now if, for example, Strike King sold out and the new owner cheapened the product to the point of it being an embarrassment, that may cause him to bail. It wouldn't be the first time that has happened.
Morelures reply :
How can you say there is no price tag on it? Every sponsor they have on there shirt has a price tag on it. They either pay the pro to promote there company or they get a free product from them usually both for the top pros. Do you think I can call KVD and he is going to put my "new crankbait company" logo on his shirt, just because he thinks they are a good lure. Nope, there will be a price tag on that. And he may even have some type of exclusive contract with Strike King that prohibits him from advertising other crankbait companies.
Now Im not saying that any company could come along and KVD would drop Strike King, because he is building and has built a great relationship with Stike King. But there are many factors that would be considered more than likely if a company approached him with allot more money and a good product. This is what keeps the industry competitive. There are ton of independent lure makers that don't get the exposure that the bigger corporate companies do even thought the independent lure makers product may be better, because the smaller companies don't have the money to sponsor most of the top pro's. (not always but often)
Just like a sales rep considers selling another product if the other owner of that company approaches them and tells them what they have to offer. If what the new company has to offer is allot better changes are made, to improve that individuals living.
Skeet22 reply :
Wonder why this got moved to fishing resumes???
Morelures reply :
I am wondering the same thing?
Skeet22 reply :
This has nothing to do with Fishing Resumes or tournaments....Oh well a good discussion appears to be done :-?
Morelures reply :
I dont see anyone Looking for a sponsor in this post? And I dont see anyone's r ésum és? Maybe the person who moved your post will explain it, I dont have a clue.
Glenn reply :
The thread is all about sponsorships. Check out the threads in this section - many have to do with sponsorships.
5bass reply :
QuoteKVD is not one to jump ship. He has been with Nitro and Quantam from the beginning and he has built a great relationship with them. He can only do so much as an angler. Do you remember when they stopped production of the Z9 Nitro. It wasn't because some government agency called them and told them to do it. It was because Kevin called them from the lake and told them of a big problem. They stopped making them, recalled them, and fixed the problem.
This is true. Fluke and myself stopped at the BPS on the way back from Fork to see the Z9. When we got there the salesman told us that KVD had a major issue and they immediately recalled every Z9 that had been made up to that point.
There was still one there because it had just happened but they took it to the back off the main floor and wouldn't let anybody see it.
bigbassctchr101 reply :
KVD, and many of the other guys have it made with most of their sponsors. Why do you think Strike King has so much success with their lures, because they listen. Its a relationship between the pros and the company. Their red eye shad would not be as good if it was not tweaked, designed, and tested by these guys. But, these guys ask for something to be made and the company comes through with it. Same with quantum.... or any other high end self promoting (and big sponsor promoting) product. The best quality products are asked for. So they will taylor to the pro's specifications...and if it works good for the pros, it's going to work good for the common man.
peters_skeeter reply :
QuoteTiger Woods is sponsored by Nike golf. And Nike golf products suck, thats not an opinion thats the truth. I don't know what that means towards what you are asking but I'm just throwing that out there.
Nike's products do suck, Tiger putted with a Titelist putter for a long time before he got a Nike putter he liked. It really bother's me that KVD drives a Toyota truck. Put that dude in a tricked out Ford F 150 with an ecoboost and watch them trucks fly off the lot. I gusses I can't talk I own a Yamaha outboard.
CAdeltaLipRipper reply :
QuoteSure its possible but Nitro is smart enough to know that they must pay him enough to keep him happy or he will go with another boat sponsor that is willing to pay him allot more (this is how he makes a good % of his money). If Ranger came and offered him allot more money, he would probably go with ranger once his contract was up. Even if his first pick is Nitro he is still going to use it as an advantage when making a deal with them, its business and to say being a pro isnt a business is like saying a car company isnt a business (they have to sell themselves). This is his job, he loves to fish and compete but he is out to make money and put food on his family's table just like everyone else.
Uhhhh i dont think KVD has to worry about putting food on his familys table? lol.And he doesn't make all his money from sponsors buddy.That 4 million plus cha-ching is from winning and succeeding in tournaments.Itd be hard for him to do that with equipment that he didn't trust and couldn't rely on.Yes some people will go to sponsors for money,but not to the extent they are going to jeopardize their career.And its not like he's the only one with quantum. Theyre are a lot of other well known pros that have quantum. He could have any sponsor he wants and im sure there are other ones willing to pay more. Quantum is a very good brand,i love their reels and im not the only one i can tell you that
CAdeltaLipRipper reply :
QuoteQuoteTiger Woods is sponsored by Nike golf. And Nike golf products suck, thats not an opinion thats the truth. I don't know what that means towards what you are asking but I'm just throwing that out there.Nike's products do suck, Tiger putted with a Titelist putter for a long time before he got a Nike putter he liked. It really bother's me that KVD drives a Toyota truck. Put that dude in a tricked out Ford F 150 RAM 2500 CUMMINS with an ecoboost and watch them trucks fly off the lot. I gusses I can't talk I own a Yamaha outboard.
;D
Morelures reply :
Every pro that has a family worries about putting food on there families table, if they are a stable father, and KVD is. Sure KVD is very well off now, but in the begging this wasn't so, and he had to play the business smart in the begging and he still does. Hopefully you will learn this one day...Just because you have money does mean that it will always be there.
I never said he makes all his money from sponsors. He makes a significant amount from them for sure (and the pros that dont place in the top 5-10 all the time really depend on there sponsors to make a living). I never said he would jeopardize his career for a sponsor, if you read through the post's I actually said the exact opposite.
To each there own but I personally don't care for Quantum's especially there new over plastic made tricked out reels. Ask many who sell reels and they will tell you that they get returned often.
peters_skeeter reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteTiger Woods is sponsored by Nike golf. And Nike golf products suck, thats not an opinion thats the truth. I don't know what that means towards what you are asking but I'm just throwing that out there.Nike's products do suck, Tiger putted with a Titelist putter for a long time before he got a Nike putter he liked. It really bother's me that KVD drives a Toyota truck. Put that dude in a tricked out Ford F 150 RAM 2500 CUMMINS with an ecoboost and watch them trucks fly off the lot. I gusses I can't talk I own a Yamaha outboard.
;D
Cummins makes an awesome diesel for the ram truck. The engines will out last the truck that they are put in. I hope you get my point though. A Toyota truck, really. :-/ I just think in these times, we should be supporting American owned companies as much as we can. And yes I know that the trucks are made in Texas or some place like that, but the profits are going over seas. 
J Francho reply :
I love my somewhat made in Mexico, assembled by robots here, so the profits could go to GM execs Sierra.
;D
peters_skeeter reply :
QuoteI love my somewhat made in Mexico, assembled by robots here, so the profits could go to GM execs Sierra.
;D
?????????????????????
J Francho reply :
I forgot to add that I paid for it twice, LOL.
Try and have a sense of humor. These are GLOBAL corporations now. Support the companies that EMPLOY our citizens, and put food on our table.
What this has to do with KVD's sponsor list has me baffled though, so let's keep it on topic.
******************************
Personally, I don't think Kevin has had to purchase anything he sponsors in a long time. I'm not sure the upper echelon of Elite pros has a clear picture of what it takes for the average bass angler to afford all this gear. We don't have the time or money to decide if one of five reels is better. So, they tell us what to buy. Half the time, I think they're right.
peters_skeeter reply :
Didn't mean anything by that, sorry. :-X If someone gave me a Toyota, I'd rock it! 8-)
CAdeltaLipRipper reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteTiger Woods is sponsored by Nike golf. And Nike golf products suck, thats not an opinion thats the truth. I don't know what that means towards what you are asking but I'm just throwing that out there.Nike's products do suck, Tiger putted with a Titelist putter for a long time before he got a Nike putter he liked. It really bother's me that KVD drives a Toyota truck. Put that dude in a tricked out Ford F 150 RAM 2500 CUMMINS with an ecoboost and watch them trucks fly off the lot. I gusses I can't talk I own a Yamaha outboard.
;D
Cummins makes an awesome diesel for the ram truck. The engines will out last the truck that they are put in. I hope you get my point though. A Toyota truck, really. :-/ I just think in these times, we should be supporting American owned companies as much as we can. And yes I know that the trucks are made in Texas or some place like that, but the profits are going over seas.
One thing we do have to consider though is that compared to all the American brands, those trucks might not be stronger,but they get better mileage and that's important to them seeing that they drive all over the country
CAdeltaLipRipper reply :
QuoteEvery pro that has a family worries about putting food on there families table, if they are a stable father, and KVD is. Sure KVD is very well off now, but in the begging this wasn't so, and he had to play the business smart in the begging and he still does. Hopefully you will learn this one day...Just because you have money does mean that it will always be there.I never said he makes all his money from sponsors. He makes a significant amount from them for sure (and the pros that dont place in the top 5-10 all the time really depend on there sponsors to make a living). I never said he would jeopardize his career for a sponsor, if you read through the post's I actually said the exact opposite.
To each there own but I personally don't care for Quantum's especially there new over plastic made tricked out reels. Ask many who sell reels and they will tell you that they get returned often.
I did not mean anything hostile if thats what i sounded like im sorry if i came on a little strong.I read my post and it sounds kinda aggressive.
But with the reels,most people are very happy with quantum,me being one of them. Most of their reels are highly rated,most of them averaging a little more than 4 stars on bass pro. But for some people,maybe the reels don't work out well for them.
Again sorry if i sounded like i was trying to irritate you lol
Ima Bass Ninja reply :
QuoteTiger Woods is sponsored by Nike golf. And Nike golf products suck, thats not an opinion thats the truth. I don't know what that means towards what you are asking but I'm just throwing that out there.
That is an opinion. I've used Nike stuff for a long time and took plenty of money on the course from people who thought the same thing. The putter in my bag is a Nike unitized and it has payed for itself 4x's over. Nike gets scrutinized and people think there stuff sucks because they push the envelope of what people think clubs and other golf equipment should look like. They use as good or better components in there equipment than the other companies.
Morelures reply :
No problem CA thanks for the apology even though I didn't necessarily think you needed to, its shows good character on your part that you are man enough to apologize. If it works for you keep buying those reels, and good fishing!
bilgerat reply :
Maybe it's just me, but having someone's name attached to a product or a certain person using a product is one of the last things to influence my buying decision.
Bass Junkie reply :
Since this is regarding KVD and not the "fisherman" out there that endorce products strictly for money, I would like to submit this question- Have you ever heard him (KVD) sing the praises of something? He might endorce a product, and will give you his opinion on that product (Which is a positive one, because he has faith in it, or he wouldn't endorce it.) and recommend it, but hes not gushing the angelic qualities of his Johnny Morris Elite Series Reel every half-breath, is he? (Not by any means aimed at a certain show-hoast :) He does what he does, and if he feels comfortable with a certain product, he goes with it. We all have our favorite lures.... Take Square-Bills for instance..... I personally like the LC RC 1.5, and thats what I usually go with. If Lucky Craft offered to sponsor me because I used their product I would be on that offer like white over rice. If I didn't like ZOOM WEC and they offered to sponsor me if I dropped Lucky Craft I wouldn't, and I doubt any of us would, because we would be uncomfortable with 1. Using the product and 2. Promoting their product. So would Mr. VanDam.
oteymc reply :
There are a couple of things that companies hope to accomplish with a sponsorship, whether that be of an event or an individual. One is that the really loyal fans will run out and buy their product simply because of their relationship with the individual, more out of loyalty and adoration of the individual than anything else. This is what we normally think of when we think about a sponsor relationship. This really doesn't happen that often.
The other is that consumers become aware of a product, or are exposed to that product because of the sponsorship. The consumer then gives that product consideration when making their next purchase, and ultimately makes a purchase based on the product's own merits.
Would I really buy a $35,000 Nitro ONLY because KVD has one? Not likely. However I know about the product because of him, and it is in front of me when I watch a tournament on TV, and when shopping for my next boat I may look into what that brand has to offer before ruling them out.
Sam reply :
QuotePlus who is to say that KVD isn't using a totally different blank rod then the one he sales. He could have the company custom make ones that look just like the ones that are at BPS etc.That's one of the biggest misconceptions about the pros. For some unfounded reason, some people think the pros are using secret baits or tackle. Aside from prototype testing, that simply isn't true. The pros are using the same exact stuff you buy off the shelf at your local tackle store. Their feedback to the company about their products is too valuable to waste it on products the public can't use.
What Glenn says is totally true.
What you do not know is how the pros "modify" their baits making them different from the ones sold in the stores.
If you can find out what the pros do to their baits, and other bass guides and fishermen, you will have a better advantage over your competition when fishing.
I modify my crankbaits and lipless crankbaits via KVD's suggestions I received from another pro who knows Kevin.
Does it help? I really don't know. But I do it as a confidence builder.
Brett M reply :
I'm new-- so hello all! Spent an hour reading this thread, and a few have danced around the point I'm going to make but not focused on it. For fisherman that are truely either making or trying to make there living from fishing the sponsor relationship is very complex,, but in the same word really simple. There are those that will represent what ever they are approched with-- they make a finacial decision just as anyone would if they needed a job. It may not be there choice of jobs, but it may pay alot better than the alternative. Guys that have the finacial means to make a "choice" who they work for based purely on there love of a given product are the fourtunate ones. Even when they aline with "there choice",, sometimes thats is used against them and the realationship doen't work- hinse they find another job. I guess the point is -- JOB is the key word,, the idea that any angler can work just for who he chooses, well, is unrealistic. If you got a job that was paying big bucks, but was not your dream job, would you walk for a 50% pay cut to move to the dream? In the workplace, do you care more about what the company is making, or the people you are surrounded with? Relationships make a great workplace, not a product. Oh,, and money helps a whole bunch too.
CAdeltaLipRipper reply :
I saw theres a few awesome deals at bass pro right now lol. Quantum pt tour edition is on sale for like 120 and the shimano curados are like 130
jly reply :
tough crowd, i did not realize how many people had such strong feelings about nitro.... is this a bad time to mention i like my z-7?
related Fishing Resumes topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.