FINALLY!
Professional Redfishing
is For Real

April 20, 2005

Redfish anglers and fans that are serious about the shallow water sport finally have a venue that is truly "professional" in every sense of the word.

I have written a lot lately about professional angling, redfish tours, and what would be required for a truly professional venue. A gauntlet of sorts was tossed into the ring by anglers who desired to have their sport grow, gain recognition, and acquire a professional status.

The FLW has made their statement and stands by it. It's really more of a "club" tournament series with exclusivity for the sponsors. An angler is either "in" with the FLW sponsors or is just there for the participation unable to showcase his/her own sponsors. There's no sign of disallowing the 'free-lance' anglers either. So every tournament is an 'open' event; not a professional event.

The IFA has diversified a great deal this year and has always allowed sponsor representation by the participating anglers. Unfortunately, they have not created the closed venue/tour required so that a professional circuit can be realized.

The Cup has always allowed angler sponsor representation and puts on one heck of a show. But, the past two seasons, local jackpotters have been allowed to participate.

I don't think anyone expected any action real soon.

Then the Three Musketeers showed up!

Apparently, Mike McKinnis, David Healy, and Steve Bowman operate entirely in a "No Fear" mode. They read, they listened, they heard…. and then they answered. And, Oh Boy, did they ever send a clear message!

The Oh Boy Oberto Redfish Cup picked up the gauntlet and ran like a bull red. Not only have they now required every Cup team to fish every event in order to participate but they have put some serious teeth into their payout and rules structures.

No other redfish tour has all this:

• 150+% payout WITHOUT adding in promotional incentives.
• Off limits and 'no- information' periods prior to each event.
• Allows ANY and ALL personal sponsor promotion by the anglers.
• Has eliminated 'jackpotting'.
• Has the exact same payout structure in a "no-entry-fee" Championship
• The only redfish tour with professional status

The folks at JM Outdoors have risen to the occasion and are now poised to take this sport right to the top.

But they didn't do it alone.

In fact, without the blessing of Oh Boy Oberto Beef Jerky, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, and others, it would never have happened at all.

These fine sponsors (and many others) have bent over backwards to allow the anglers free rein to promote the individual sponsors that support each team. They DO NOT require that Cup anglers use or promote their products. They DO NOT base their payout on what boat is used, what outboard is hung, or what jerky is chewed.

This is nothing short of extraordinary!

These sponsors are putting their advertising dollars, support, and corporate energy into making the Cup tour happen and are not asking the anglers for much in return.

How can they do that?

More importantly,

Why are they doing that?

They realize that they are taking a risk by not requiring exclusivity. They also realize that they are bringing redfish angling into the spotlight as a professional sport. They have seen the nearly vertical growth curve of this sport over the past two years. And, they believe in the mission statement and people of the Cup and JM Outdoors.

They also believe in the dedication and commitment of the professional anglers. They know the Cup anglers are serious professionals on a serious mission.

So…they have chosen to provide a serious venue for serious competition.

It was certainly not a decision for the faint of heart. A bold move has been made by bold people. And, they are counting on the loyalty of the fans and the professional anglers along the way.

I hope they also realize that they are making history.

And, because they are willing to make such a tremendous leap of faith, I also hope that they get more, much more, than they are asking for in return.

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