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Non-Exclusive Sponsorship ‘Deal’ Creates Innovative Relationships for Tommy Skarlis

 May 9th, 2011 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified May 9th, 2011 at 12:00 AM

Walleye professional angler Tommy Skarlis has always been on the cutting-edge of fishing tactics.  His trophy case is adorned with the “wood” expected from one of the top-ranked pros.  Many of those successes resulted from the determination to do things his way. 

    For instance, he began his winning on the MWC tour in 1996, and a Team of the Year trophy the following year.  His PWT record of four wins (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) and Angler of the Year in 2004, plus the standing world record for 15 walleyes in a 3-day tournament, 138.28 pounds (Lake Erie, 2002), was only a start.  He won the FLW 2008 Championship and the inaugural AIM tournament in 2009.  He also won a couple Full Throttle events in 2010.  He has qualified for 13 consecutive PWT and six RCL/FLW Championships. 

    And, that’s just the fishing.  He’s been at the forefront of promotions, photo shoots and media activities from the beginning.  His long-term relationships with sponsors and his ability to communicate with them and the public have made him popular in board rooms and seminar stages.  Now, he has taken the game to a new level.

    He recently announced, “I will use the best from all companies when it comes to spinners, jigs, crankbaits, sinkers and hooks.”  This non-exclusive sponsorship arrangement with many companies is at an affordable fee for a Champion.  Always a tackle junky, with one of the largest collections of crankbaits, Tommy listed the reasons for his new marketing plan:

1.    With tackle, a tournament angler needs all the options available.
2.     He can talk truthfully about what’s hot.
3.    It’s fun to experiment with the new hot lures.
4.    I get to work with more people within the industry.
5.    I can work with big and small companies equally.

Tommy will maintain his exclusive sponsorship with Berkley Gulp!, PowerBait
and Havoc for his scent-impregnated and plastic shapes and sizes.

    When trolling Lake Erie, he said, “This gives me the opportunity to say Reef Runner, Husky Jerk or Rogue, not just minnow-imitating bait.  Salmo makes a quality bait, and I’m pleased to be able to use and talk about that, also.”

    He said the industry leaders he’s been dealing with are enthusiastic about the new deal and like the concept.  “Their financial obligations aren’t as significant, and they get bait development, promotion, testing, creative design, feedback, and I can build the angler knowledge-base by demonstrating how their products lead to better success.”

    The difference in this non-exclusive contract is that guaranteed days, appearances and normal “major” pro requirements are not included.  The potential for success with the many companies has been escalated in 2011.  Last year, scaled back on tournaments, but this season, he is following his own advice, “Get off the couch and go fishing!”

    His hectic schedule includes the complete AIM and FLW pro-am tours, the MWC central division, WAT, some of the Full Throttle, a couple bass tournaments, and hopefully a few more Championships.  All of this is a balancing act with his family, but he expects to see them even more this summer, because the boys are old enough to travel and enjoy time on the road at tournaments.  “It kills be to be away, that’s why it’ll be great to have them around more this season,” he said.

    Tommy re-wrote one of his favorite Gospel verses to say, “What does a man profit if he wins every tournament but loses his family.”  He spends about 200 days a year on the water, and is passionate about hunting, which chases him up trees another 45 days every year (business and pleasure).  He said thoughts about fishing race through his mind at least 362 days every year, but Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving are days off. 

    Fortunately, his long-term promotional partners and his work for them opened up room for the new relationships.  He will also be adding more internet viral promotions to his “to do” list.  Those sponsors include Evinrude, Navionics, Ranger, Berkley, Gulp!, Trilene, PowerBait, FireLine, Off-Shore Tackle, St. Croix rods, Otter Outdoor, Optima Batteries, Humminbird, MinnKota, Cannon, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, Gemini Custom Apparel, Strike Master Ice Augers, E-Z Lube, Aqua-Vu, Fish-On, Salmo, Do-It Molds, Reef Runner and Wolverine Tackle.

    Tommy cited the four most important lessons he’s learned from his time in the tournament trenches.

    First, he said he learned to have faith.  Not just personal confidence in his skills which led to success, but he said, “Every time I go fishing, I know I’m blessed to be doing what I love and where I am.  That keeps me positive, which I know produces good results.  Any negatives cause failure.”  He also maintains a faith in God and admitted, “I’m a work in progress, and know I’m not perfect, but He really helps everything I do.”

    Second is time management.  He said, “I’m the 5-second man!”  From knots to boat position, he tries to create five-second increments of time during the course of a tournament day.  “This is my big advantage over the competition,” he said.

    Third is focus.  “To do this job, don’t listen to others, concentrate on yourself.  That works for me,” he said.

    Fourth, learning about people is essential.  “Each person stepping into my boat is my team-mate and a new friend.  We are going out to have fun fishing.  I try to exhibit a good attitude and want that reflected back to me,” he said.

    The 2011 season started out with a top-10 place finish at Winneconne, Wisconsin, and it will be interesting to watch for Tommy’s reports and news about what tackle is working for him this season.  Expect it to range far and wide as he continues his quest to fish with the best tackle and keep his feet firmly planted in the winner’s circle.

    Tommy Skarlis’ website:  fishtommy.com

    Phone:  319-215-2559