By Steve Chaconas

Professional bass anglers must supply their tournament entry fees, travel costs, and support a family and household as well. This puts the sport out of reach for many new and veteran participants.

Pro angler income comes from sponsors with a modest amount from prize money. Tournament wins, top ten finishes, and BASSMASTER Classic qualifications used to carry bass pros through several seasons, garnering media attention, endorsements, and personal appearance fees. But outdoors show opportunities aren’t what they used to be.  Retail sponsors like Bass Pro Shops prefer content rather than in-store appearances.  As familiar faces leave the sport, so does sponsorship money. It’s not about winning and personal promotion, it’s about clicks.

Still competing after nearly 30 years, Triton/Mercury pro Brent Chapman has fished at bass fishing’s highest level, including the Bass Pro Tour, Bassmaster Elite Series and Major League Fishing. Earning the most prestigious title, Bassmaster’s Angler of the Year, Brent has 4 BASSMASTER wins, and 14 BASSMASTER Classic qualifications. He also qualified for Major League Fishing’s Championship and MLF Bass Pro Tour Redcrest.

Today, companies rely on college marketing majors who stress social media to reach target audiences. Brent carries his integrity into the bits and bytes of electronic media. Consumers are bombarded by YouTube content creators and Brent says, “There’s no other sport or profession where anyone can start a social media account and become an expert.”  He’s concerned kids and fans can’t discern what’s relevant.  Team Chapman has adapted and delivers.

Brent’s wife Bobbi manages the fishing business and together they raised and homeschooled their two children.  She tracks social media stats daily to present to decision makers. Making the marketing person look awesome to their boss, the Chapmans look good too. Enabling Brent to focus on fishing, Bobbi sets a schedule for him to keep pace with sponsor content expectations. When the tournament is over, the work starts. Together, they’re motivated to outwork everyone.

Contracts must be renewed and negotiated. Past performances and reputation don’t play much of a role in getting corporate support. Sponsorship dollars are being cut or eliminated as independent tackle companies are bought out. Decision-makers are distanced from the frontline and sponsor dollars are distributed with policy over performance. The pie hasn’t changed, just the number of college and high school anglers taking a bite. Undeterred, Team Chapman pursues necessary partners, preferring to keep existing sponsors, promoting continuity over renegotiating. New sponsors come from long term relationships or referral.

Brent says getting TV time doesn’t mean as much as it used to because many watch livestreams and YouTube. “We have to play the same game.” The couple has reinstated their fan favorite show Pro Verses Joe, local experts fishing their spots in friendly competition with pro angler Brent. Everyone is a star, and the love of fishing is what they have in common. This series can be seen on the Pursuit Network, Tuff TV, Wired2Fish TV and Youtube.com/BrentChapmanFishing.

Specific social media requirements are written into contracts. Hiring a professional company to pull media analytics reports enables them to show trackable exposures and impressions.  Seeing accountability of his work, Brent is motivated to produce more content. Viewing poor videos from unqualified producers, “We have to be content creators who happen to fish tournaments.” He accepts the challenge to compete with YouTubers to produce quality content that translates into more views.

Brent’s likeness and image represent high quality to fans and endorsement value to sponsors. Long term sustainability and professionalism is Brent’s brand. The advertising shift targets younger on-line consumers, even if they aren’t spending money. Social media can be filled with negativity and Brent insists his followers be nice and keep it clean. Above all, Bobbi says they’re not looking for provocative clickbait. “We care about the sport and the people.”

As companies target younger customers, Brent’s age has come up. Only in his early 40s, Brent says he can compete and win at any time and is working to stay relevant with the times by expanding his social media presence. “It’s the reality of the job. It’s changed and we make the commitment to adjust as the need to adjust arises.”

Partnering with companies who align with their values, the Chapmans look forward to 2024 with new sponsors and big changes. “My hope is to offer my experience and insight to help the experienced tournament angler, as well as someone brand new to fishing. I love fishing and that we can all connect with a shared passion through social media.”

Maintaining relationships with Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Garmin Electronics, Bass Pro Shops, Costa Sunglasses, and Eagle Claw Hooks, Team Chapman relies on their support to continue to represent these companies and those who enjoy the sport. “Other pros have other sources of income. I’m all in…no other skill set.”

Above all, the Chapmans are focused on maintaining the value of sponsorships for the next generation of career-oriented professional bass anglers. “You can’t lower your price. This isn’t a hobby.”

Potomac River Bassing in February

Cold water and fish are on steep drops out of the current. Three inch Stingray grubs on ¼ ounce ball head jigs in chartreuse, smoke with black flake, and green pumpkin. Hair jigs with matching chunks and Mizmo tubes work with slow horizontal presentations on spinning gear with Gamma 6 pound test Copoly line, or combo of 10 pound test Gamma Torque Braid with either a 6 pound test Edge Fluorocarbon or Copoly leader.

Silver Buddys, ½ ounce silver on sunny days, gold when cloudy. 10-pound test GAMMA EDGE on casting reels on rods with enough tip flex for casting and hook-setting backbone. Slowly snap to barely bring Silver Buddys off the bottom. Controlled drops encourage cold water bass to bite.

Drop shot, shaky head, and split shot with 1/0 hooks with 3/16-ounce Water Gremlin BullShot weights for drop shots and split shots.

About the Author: Capt. Steve Chaconas is a longtime Potomac River bass fishing guide. For updates and Potomac fishing reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/purchase gift certificates: info@NationalBass.com.