The fancy sponsors that I had on my shirt were paying my way. Unfortunately I was laid off just like thousands of other Americans this year. I now have to pay my own way until times get better. I think there is a gross misconception about the amount of cash money that anglers receive from sponsors. There are very few anglers who have paying sponsors. I was very fortunate to have an FLW Team sponsorship. Most sponsorships are for product, and many times not much of it. All those wrapped boats you see out there belong to the fisherman. They have bank notes on them just like anyone else. There are maybe 10 Pro's that I know out of hundreds who are given a boat. Having your way paid is more of an exception than a rule. I know allot of big time BASS and FLW Pro's. I have a friend who fishes the BASS Elites; he absolutely tore it up the first year he fished and won like 200k. He was running a wrapped boat and doing exceptionally well. He wasn't getting paid a cent by his sponsor. He's a prominent figure in fishing and I'm sure everyone on this site has heard of him. Yes, there is money out there to be had from sponsors, but it's very difficult to find and even harder to get. If it were as simple as getting a better public relations agent, there would be a whole lot more Professional Anglers.