Why is it that once good interesting you tube channels become crass parodies of themselves after they "make it"? Some of my favourite bass fishing you tube channels have gone from being good genuine guys without agendas to the usual crass back patting, sponsor whoring, wastes of space that many of the TV programs are. These guys now spend time unboxing, meeting up with fellow you tube "stars" and generally losing any credibility they'd accumulated over the years by banging on about this sponsor's product or that sponsor's gear. It's a shame is all. The good interesting content has been replaced by bland nothingness.
Once they turn into advertisements mixed with a little fishing, I'm out.
Yup many I know that haven't made it to achieving sponsorship, dream of the day they have sponsors. But like you guys have mentioned it is no longer do as you want say what you really feel. Once you accept that sponsor you just sold your soul. You no longer can be honest and sincere. It can be a very rude awakening if you have never been there.
I had a uncle back in the 80s that had excellent income and he had a car built for racing. It was a Pro Stock car and had a huge amount of $ invested in it on top name and quality parts that my Uncle liked. This car was 100% his $ and his hobby. My uncle always bought his work trucks and family vehicles from the same dealership since he started buying cars. One day the Dealership found out about his car and how competitive it was and so the dealership came to him and wanted to sponsor his car and let my uncle race full time. My uncle turned it down almost before they finished telling him they would pay for everything including his salary. My uncles reasoning was they told him the car would be turned over to a complete crew to have all the parts updated to the best and they would be giving him his schedule. Well the car was the best to him, as he built it the way he wanted it, he had no money issues it was his hobby. And he already had a job and made his own hours when he felt like working he would otherwise he did as he liked.
My point is many people beg and plead to get sponsors but if you look deep enough its not really all its cracked up to be. Of course every persons situation is different but unless you are serious hard up for the income or are using a sponsor as a stepping stone its just a job.
I've dropped five or six of them so far. I call them the LTB or MTB mafia. Once they start that unboxing stuff, I hit the unsubscribe button.
the main reason is these guys are getting paid a very GOOD amount of money from those sponsors.
ive met a few guys who have given up their day jobs, and youtube is now their full time job.. one makes more than 6k a week just shooting a fishing video... lol
On 2/29/2016 at 8:38 PM, bassmoore said:the main reason is these guys are getting paid a very GOOD amount of money from those sponsors.
ive met a few guys who have given up their day jobs, and youtube is now their full time job.. one makes more than 6k a week just shooting a fishing video... lol
Seriously? I would think KVD would be interested in that gig!
I can't believe that sponsors sign up for something just to ruin it. The whole point is that they see someone with a following and credibility and want their brand associated with them. If they had any sense they wouldn't ask, or expect anything more than the person to use their product and make an occasional mention of it. Full on Scott Martin style endorsement looks awful and convinces nobody, not to mention repelling people like me.
Yeah i have a youtube channel my self, I do mention the kayak shop that im pro staff for, but only for products you can buy there.
Usually ill just wear a shirt or put in a very quick picture clip at the end of their name .
but if its apart of the contract agreement to promote their name, my shop isnt excessive about it, but it has produced a few customer for them
but i agree with what your saying and have a very good idea of the few channels your talking about lol.. they went from very informative and fun to watch to... well now u can basically predict whats coming
On 2/29/2016 at 8:38 PM, bassmoore said:the main reason is these guys are getting paid a very GOOD amount of money from those sponsors.
ive met a few guys who have given up their day jobs, and youtube is now their full time job.. one makes more than 6k a week just shooting a fishing video... lol
6K a week?? I need to work on my camera skills... I don't do it to try to get viewers though, it's just fun to go through and watch the recap of my trips and catch some of my dumb moves on camera.
$$$$$$$$$$$.... $$
I think you're talking about Ed Bassmaster, who has a few million subscribers now. That number is nearly impossible to achieve in today's competitive Youtube environment.
btw - Ed got his start here on BassResource.com.
It's not actually, I've never come across his channel. Certainly one of the guilty parties used to post one here though.
6K a week? I don't want to ruin the hype that someone may be getting that but that is not what I know some are getting. But they arent doing fishing stuff either.
i like videos with fishing..... once they look or sounds anything like an infomercial, i'm done. i don't subscribe to a lot though, just sit down and start randomly watching...
What keeps me from going that direction is my integrity... that and the fact that I don't catch many fish!
I don't have a problem with people making a living out of fishing and you tube, I have a problem with the total lack of sophistication the sponsors seem to have!
Take Gene for example. He used to use those white rods and when explaining what his lesson of the day was and would mention the rod, the reel and retrieve ratio and the line he was using, just so you'd know what gear he used for the technique. Great and informative. Then he got a boat to use and that's obvious the whole time he's fishing, so he doesn't need to say too much about that. Starting doing videos just about some rods or whatever he's been sent however is dull with a capital D and in my mind reduces his credibility, which is a real shame. A good sponsor would allow the viewers to work out what he was using without the big presentation and if that influences their choice then so be it. Making a you tube channel as crass as all the others by making it all about the sponsors totally wastes the very thing the sponsors were attracted by in the first place and the very reason a person's channel has become popular.
pretty sure they call it "selling out"
basically the demise of so many good things.... music, movies, magazines, etc.
I don't mind the sponsorships nor the advertising, these guys have to make a living.I do mind when it becomes all about the sponsors and there's no more good bass fishing content. I watch videos or shows to see bass fishing, bass catching, tips and techniques mainly bass catching.
I'm not nearly good enough or exposed enough to be considered for any kind of fishing sponsorship, but I had a couple chances when I was younger to join sponsored or semi-sponsored cycling teams. It all sounded good, but I decided against it. It meant a lot of travel, required product use, and a team and its management ordering your next steps. I didn't want to take something I loved doing for sport and fun, and make it into something I *had* to do. I feel the same with fishing. I would be afraid that any kind of success would make me too serious about fishing. I don't want my love of outdoors and fishing to be quite that serious.
Believe it or not unboxing things seems to get a lot of views, many of the top youtube earners do nothing but that. I remember seeing one of the top 3 was videos of Disney products being opened and you never even saw a person it was just someones hands opening boxes up. I have my own youtube channel and I try to mix reviews and on the water fishing to about a 50/50 split. I have only two unboxing videos and I will be honest I was amazed at how fast they generated views. I won't be selling out I promise you that but I can't deny the fact that they are effective and if your going to buy a bunch of tackle anyway why not share it with the world once in awhile I mean we do have that bait monkey thread here don't we? People want to know what their peers bought whether its curiosity, competition, or just wanting to see that new secret bait that's coming out. I personally like to think its just part of the fisherman lifestyle and we all buy tons of baits so if your in an online community here at BR or on YT why not include some your new stuff your excited to fish once in a while? The difference to me is when buying what you want changes to showing only a sponsors products. The dialogue changes from "I bought these as an impulse buy because they were cool" to "check out brand X new baits that I show you in every single video now." I like seeing unboxing videos of what normal anglers like myself bought because I can relate and its not an infomercial. That's just my 2 cents anyway and just to add to this I want to say I really enjoy that bait monkey thread in the tackle forum, its addictive to flip through and see what people got and that's exactly what fuels some of these videos and thus my point.
I must be way too old, I couldn't care less what anyone else has bought and definitely don't want to watch them unpacking it. I appreciate the difference between your own shopping and opening sponsor's product though. The world is a bit mad if people sit at home on their computers watching people unpacking their shopping. I might start a channel with a live fridge cam, so people can watch the traffic in and out of my fridge. Should be a huge hit!
I think you nailed it when you said "the world is a bit mad." In my opinion my best video is one where I catch several big bass cranking a rk crawler 55, the biggest being a 6.5lber. That video was from August and has about 500 views right now yet the black Friday unboxing video I did in November is already past 1000. I just don't get it but the numbers don't lie. I'm going to focus on my fishing videos though and not unboxing because those are the most fun to make and no ones sending me that 6k a week yet.
You kno who is good. This dude SKARFishing. Usually fishes to music but has a few informative in depth videos that are very well put together.
It helps to think of youtube as it is now like television was when it first started. A lot of sponsored shows and very very blatant advertising and product placements. Right now the advertising industry is going through a huge upheaval and there is a big scramble to "claim turf" online. Like any bubble it is going to burst and normalize but right now it is pretty nuts. I work on the very outer fringe of the advertising/marketing industry and the "oh lordy how do we sell to millennials?!?" money keeps me well stocked in rubber worms.
That being said, what turns me off the quickest is poor audio and editing. I used to work for a small production house and I understand the incredible amount of work it takes to cut 3-4 hours of footage into a 15-20min video, but nothing makes me click away faster then a ton of wind noise or dead camera time.
I wonder if Gene feels if he has sold out.
When I started bass fishing 3 years ago i subscribed to his channel because he was just a guy fishing and seem to really enjoyed share his experience and experiences when comes to bass fishing. He would show you what he was fishing with and why he was fishing with it and made a point to say, no one was paying me to say that it's just how I feel or what I think.
Now his videos seem to full of product placement and product reviews.
If anyone is into inshore saltwater fishing i'd reccomend Zoffinger.
... and Darcizzle Offshore... wooo hoooo!
Travis Moran is worth mentioning although his videos are aimed tords marketing products I enjoy watching them. The editing is great and there is a lot of tips and techniques as well.
I think the MTB slam idea is cool. My girlfriend is casual fisherman and loves those videos.
On 2/29/2016 at 8:55 PM, Bluebasser86 said:6K a week?? I need to work on my camera skills... I don't do it to try to get viewers though, it's just fun to go through and watch the recap of my trips and catch some of my dumb moves on camera.
What's your channel....I'll subscribe! Finding Kansas fishing videos can be challenging. Love to see what kind of fish are out there. O and money is why guys do it. It's good marketing for the company's that make all the equipment we use to catch fish. Plus what better person to promote but a regular average joe who loves fishing and just started YouTube for fun, but then it turned into something more.
Have y'all seen mikeybalzz fishing on you You Tube? He's a young guy with a lot of style, and catches a lot of big mamas in the thick stuff on Lake O in Florida.
On 3/4/2016 at 11:30 AM, Sturgeon said:What's your channel....I'll subscribe! Finding Kansas fishing videos can be challenging. Love to see what kind of fish are out there. O and money is why guys do it. It's good marketing for the company's that make all the equipment we use to catch fish. Plus what better person to promote but a regular average joe who loves fishing and just started YouTube for fun, but then it turned into something more.
This was from my last last trip.
On 3/3/2016 at 6:12 AM, Bruce424 said:You kno who is good. This dude SKARFishing. Usually fishes to music but has a few informative in depth videos that are very well put together.
I like his vids also. Fishes mostly the Susquehanna river down by Harrisburg and local lakes.
I noticed that with Lucky Tacklebox (LTB) sponsored channels as well as Intagram pages. I understand to an extent that you have to mention product because you have to uphold your end of the sponsorship, but people have become "sell outs" and replace heir unique style and tips with those supplied by sponsors which seems the case with LTB and MTB sponsored YouTubers.
On 3/3/2016 at 5:35 AM, Tim Kelly said:I must be way too old, I couldn't care less what anyone else has bought and definitely don't want to watch them unpacking it. I appreciate the difference between your own shopping and opening sponsor's product though. The world is a bit mad if people sit at home on their computers watching people unpacking their shopping. I might start a channel with a live fridge cam, so people can watch the traffic in and out of my fridge. Should be a huge hit!
Ditto! I'm not too old but I could care less about which product some guy I don't even know uses. I mean really? Not trying to be offensive,especially being a newbie here but sometimes I think bass fishermen are no different than any other groupies. Buy this,buy that,wear this shirt,throw that crankbait. No thanks. I like watching bass fishing videos as much as the next guy,but I don't give them but a few seconds once the commercials start.
Who's JEAN???
Haha, I was thinking about this when I was watching some youtube vids. Im just glad to be able to watch some fishing action when I cant get out. I def agree about unboxings but hey, people love em. If I had a popular channel, Id make up great vids for every little aspect of bass fishing no matter how much it doesnt make sense.
"How to find youtube fishing vids to watch"
"Unloading my the car., the story of Unbagging the unboxing of my Academy order" ....LOL
I think my new pet peeve for fishing vids is every 1 pounder is yelled out as a "LUNKER" then about 3 seconds later, they correct themselves. Then later in the video, they set the hook and lose a fish that was a "LUNKER" ... You kinda loose credibility on the "big one" you lose when all the other big ones you say on the fight look like Nemo when you get them in.
While all these plugs are annoying, I respect the fact that a guy has to make a living.
My favorite show/magazine is by the Minnesota guys of In-Fisherman because it's geared towards the northern lakes in this area, although the show is chock full of plugs which can take up some time in the show.
On 3/4/2016 at 11:41 AM, hawgenvy said:Have y'all seen mikeybalzz fishing on you You Tube? He's a young guy with a lot of style, and catches a lot of big mamas in the thick stuff on Lake O in Florida.
He's one of the few that I like to watch.
I agree and I'm glad they get to do what they want, however I can't stand some of them anymore because i think they did sell out. Two of them mentioned here I unsubscribed awhile ago because of this.
I guess I'm a little different from most guys on here. I'm 22 so i guess I'm part of the "new" generation. But I enjoy watching edited fishing videos that are action packed with music playing. It helps show what action can happen on the water and it's just cool to see in my opinion. I also will watch technique videos and occasionally an unboxing because I just like seeing what people have lol. It's the same thing as guys on here posting pictures of their rods/reels. I just started making fishing videos for fun and most of what I've done is just edited videos with no talking, because I've yet to get a good audio setup. I've always been interested in the video making process so I appreciate all styles of videos that someone has put good effort into.
I have sponsors...I don't cram it down everyone's throat. In fact, I don't even have a YouTube channel! Also, buy and AT Paddle!
I'm not sure if any of you seen this yet but Jon b of fishing the mid west and Andrew flair just posted a video of fishing on Garry Yamamoto's private pond on his compound its super cool video.
I subscribe to a few. I do enjoy the Jon B videos, as well as Sydney Sewell.
The disturbing trend for me is the gear review videos posted by 12 year olds. It's frustrating when trying to research a product and every kid out there with a cellphone is posting their review saying "um you should buy this reel because it's a good reel because this thing spins and I've caught fish on it". No technical or product knowledge whatsoever.
LC
Unboxing videos are popular because people check them out in order to better help them decide if they want to purchase the product or service.
Unboxing vidoes are wildly popular no matter the type of hobby or type of product. I personally like them.
Hey, a guys gotta make a living right?
There needs to be a hickok45 of fishing. I have yet to find one.
I noticed that with fluke. I subbed years ago because he was a regular guy teaching the world to fish. He made a point in several videos that he is not sponsored and doesn't want to to be sponsored, and he doesn't fish tournaments, all because he wants to be unbiased and share his knowledge. Now he raves about his alumacraft boat (on their pro staff), has a deck full of 13 rods and no 8 gear (sponsored), and every video is about some sort of product endorsement with a small-how to in it. The last few have been decent though. But still, whenever someone asks a "what rod to use" question it used to be answered with "find a 7'MH rod that you like...", now its "go buy a no 8 blackout and a thirteen reel.
Really like Honey Hole outdoors and Bassresource
I watch a ton of fishing videos on YouTube, its a great place to get a different point of view on a subject or see how someone else approaches the same technique.
I really enjoy TackleJunky81, *, Kevin Bullington, Bass Reasource and a few others.
As far as content I like all different video types; how-to, tips and tricks, technique specific how-to's and the unboxing videos. For the unboxing videos I appreciate the opportunity to see new tackle that I do not have, may be looking to buy, or would not normally buy. Gives a good view of bait and unique features of it in someone's hands up-close rather than looking at it on a website.
I'm a huge fan of YouTube fishing channels; I too was sad to see a lot of the big names go the professional route in the last couple of years. I still watch their channels, but with less enjoyment.
You wanna know a freaking great channel? DallMYD. The dude has some epic videos. He is sponsored by one company I think but he rarely showcases them.
Mike Iaconelli is one of the worst when it comes to this. Its all about greed first and foremost. These types of guys will do absolutely anything for a buck
On 5/8/2016 at 10:29 PM, mojojojo said:Mike Iaconelli is one of the worst when it comes to this. Its all about greed first and foremost. These types of guys will do absolutely anything for a buck
If you wanna be paid to be a fisherman, this is what it is about. Those companies who pay a guy to wear their name on his shirt, demand that you push the product.
The ones I like most are TackleJunky81, Fluekemaster, InformativeFisherman, KeepinItReelFishing, LakeForkGuy and Matt Allen's channel
Something to keep in mind, the majority of the viewing public are not as "sophisticated" for lack of a better term in their fishing. Some live vicariously thru tv and you tube. I can see those folks being excited by box openings and other silliness that drive numbers. Numbers of eyeballs is what advertising is about and if you can give that and a targeted audience you'll earn.
On 5/2/2016 at 12:15 AM, Kevin22 said:I noticed that with fluke. I subbed years ago because he was a regular guy teaching the world to fish. He made a point in several videos that he is not sponsored and doesn't want to to be sponsored, and he doesn't fish tournaments, all because he wants to be unbiased and share his knowledge. Now he raves about his alumacraft boat (on their pro staff), has a deck full of 13 rods and no 8 gear (sponsored), and every video is about some sort of product endorsement with a small-how to in it. The last few have been decent though. But still, whenever someone asks a "what rod to use" question it used to be answered with "find a 7'MH rod that you like...", now its "go buy a no 8 blackout and a thirteen reel.
Hes the first person I thought of when I read the topic. Not dogging by anymeans but he use to be better. I watched one last night on how he had "so many requests" to do a boat walkround. Im like right. And he has his lowrance finders taped up becuase he "didnt have a deal" with them and then apologized because it was a business. Common sellout. Would I do it? probably. Fish all day everyday? yea, probably.
My main sponsor has very few rules about how to promote them. One of the main tenants of the promotion philosophy: don't cram our gear down people's throats. Just show off what you're doing, and try to catch the logos in the pics and videos. People will catch on, and it works better. They don't say, "I want a such and such because so and so said to use it!" But, they will think to themselves next time they're in a store or browsing online stores, "Hey, there's that such and such that so and so uses. Man, he smoked them in that video." They associate the brand with a positive experience, not a positive review or endorsement. It's pervasive, and passive, and it works better that way. Why? Because it's honest. I honestly love my sponsors products, and I use them day in and day out.
Intentional, subversive product plug:
On 5/12/2016 at 2:51 AM, J Francho said:My main sponsor has very few rules about how to promote them. One of the main tenants of the promotion philosophy: don't cram our gear down people's throats. Just show off what you're doing, and try to catch the logos in the pics and videos. People will catch on, and it works better. They don't say, "I want a such and such because so and so said to use it!" But, they will think to themselves next time they're in a store or browsing online stores, "Hey, there's that such and such that so and so uses. Man, he smoked them in that video." They associate the brand with a positive experience, not a positive review or endorsement. It's pervasive, and passive, and it works better that way. Why? Because it's honest. I honestly love my sponsors products, and I use them day in and day out.
Intentional, subversive product plug:
I agree 100%. If I watch a video on Youtube or a show on TV and it is obvious that the person is being paid to talk about the product, it actually turns me off from whatever the product is and makes me instantly not want to buy it. I want to know honest opinions and reviews, I don't care what someone is paying you to say, I care about your experiences, thoughts, and honest opinions about the product.
I really dislike the whole sponsor idea myself as well. I get tired of advertising and paid opinions. But I recognize also that a guy has to make a living, and it's kind of a necessary evil. As far as how distasteful the advertising they do is it entirely depends on the person. People who do good at this: 1Rod1ReelFishing, LakeForkGuy, and Jon B. People who do bad at this: Noah Pescitelli (he is the worst by a long, long shot) and Flukemaster. Not to be a downer but kicking their bass TV is just awful. "Here's an unboxing of 50 reels my sponsor sent me". The definition of boring.
If someone would pay me to fish for a living I would say whatever they wanted me to. I get why they say that stuff, it's their job. So my problem isn't with the Youtuber, or whoever is making the promotional video, my problem is with the company.
On 5/12/2016 at 3:52 AM, Ohio Yakker said:If someone would pay me to fish for a living I would say whatever they wanted me to. I get why they say that stuff, it's their job. So my problem isn't with the Youtuber, or whoever is making the promotional video, my problem is with the company.
Thats exactly what it comes down to right there. Keep your values, morals, and reputation and bust your butt trying to make it work... Or sell out to sponsors to take the easy path to what you want to do which comes with losing your reputation and morals.
its easy to find the ones who sell out, its harder to find the ones that havent. The man i put above all the rest is lunkers TV. The guy busted his butt in the millitary, fought for our country and got injured doing so. Came home and made his own company and worked without a paycheck to build it to where it is today. Now he has a nice family, a nice home, truck, boat, and can fish and make youtube videos. He took the honest route.
I resisted sponsorship until a company that respected me and knew I used their stuff already came to me and offered a deal. That's IDEAL situation, but everyone on the block has to have a brag rag with 20 companies listed as sponsors that are giving them a 10% discount, lol.
I guess I'm different than most here. I like the product endorsements and ads. It's how I see new things in action. Of course I'm not naïve. I know why the guy is hawking the product, but in between all the raves and the HOOOOeeee's and crap, there is some useful information.
On 5/12/2016 at 2:51 AM, J Francho said:My main sponsor has very few rules about how to promote them. One of the main tenants of the promotion philosophy: don't cram our gear down people's throats. Just show off what you're doing, and try to catch the logos in the pics and videos. People will catch on, and it works better. They don't say, "I want a such and such because so and so said to use it!" But, they will think to themselves next time they're in a store or browsing online stores, "Hey, there's that such and such that so and so uses. Man, he smoked them in that video." They associate the brand with a positive experience, not a positive review or endorsement. It's pervasive, and passive, and it works better that way. Why? Because it's honest. I honestly love my sponsors products, and I use them day in and day out.
Intentional, subversive product plug:
Right on. Exactly the way it should be done -as a matter of course. Knowing what's out there and what's being used is good info. People used to complain such stuff was all "secrets" lol. What gets us all are the disingenuous ham-fisted attempts at simply pushing products. Viewers are right to be offended.
Hey, nice smile there J. I can't even look at it without sunglasses.
"I really smoked them today. I couldn't have done it without my.....blah blah blah.." LOL. Sound like a NASCAR driver in the winners circle after a race.
On 5/13/2016 at 10:28 PM, Paul Roberts said:Right on. Exactly the way it should be done -as a matter of course. Knowing what's out there and what's being used is good info. People used to complain such stuff was all "secrets" lol. What gets us all are the disingenuous ham-fisted attempts at simply pushing products. Viewers are right to be offended.
Hey, nice smile there J. I can't even look at it without sunglasses.
Couldn't have done it without his Strike King tooth whitener.
On 5/13/2016 at 11:18 PM, Tim Kelly said:Couldn't have done it without his Strike King tooth whitener.
It has that erratic action that gets the bass' attention!
I'm English. Teeth like that are as unknown as largemouth bass here. LOL
On 3/12/2016 at 5:32 AM, David Whitaker said:I noticed that with Lucky Tacklebox (LTB) sponsored channels as well as Intagram pages. I understand to an extent that you have to mention product because you have to uphold your end of the sponsorship, but people have become "sell outs" and replace heir unique style and tips with those supplied by sponsors which seems the case with LTB sponsored YouTubers.
Exactly my thoughts. Even down to the channel names lol
Uncle Steve X1000!!!
On 5/14/2016 at 2:34 AM, Tim Kelly said:I'm English. Teeth like that are as unknown as largemouth bass here. LOL
My Native American heritage is slightly polluted with French and English blood. Here's proof of the stinky Brit genes.....
Nice try, but photoshopping is cheating. You're 100% 'Merican
On 5/19/2016 at 10:40 PM, J Francho said:My Native American heritage is slightly polluted with French and English blood. Here's proof of the stinky Brit genes.....
I was not prepared for that pic.
So the question is.... Would you send someone a donation once a year so they could remain sponsor free? Let's do some math... 100,000 subscribers and "YouTuberX" is asking for $10 a year from everyone to remain sponsor free and be able to do independent reviews of products etc... etc... while still being paid for his or her time. If half the subscribers send money that's $50,000. The second question is... are sponsors paying this or more?
Subscription based access to online content is proven dud in the marketplace.
3 Guys I really like watching: Fishing The Midwest, Andrew Flair, and LunkersTV
On 5/19/2016 at 10:40 PM, J Francho said:My Native American heritage is slightly polluted with French and English blood. Here's proof of the stinky Brit genes.....
Thats horrible
But they're nice and white?
On 5/20/2016 at 5:18 AM, crankzilla said:Thats horrible
On 5/20/2016 at 5:22 AM, J Francho said:But they're nice and white?
I'm part native American too but d**n, those are some messed up chompers!