PUBLISHER
Dan Dannenmueller
EDITOR
Richard Simms
SR. WRITER
Tim Huffman
ART/ CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Matt Mullikin
GUEST WRITERS
Brent Frazee
Keith Lusher
Mike Gnatkowski
Larry Whiteley
Terry Madewell
Keith Sutton
Brad Wiegmann
Steve McCadams
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Cover Photo Credit
Louisiana crappie guide and pro angler Steve Danna likes the versatility of the new Bobby Garland Minnow Mind’R, the “Lure of the Month” from CrappieNOW.
Photo by Terry Madewell
The Opening Cast
Dan Dannenmueller
In January, I started off the year attending and presenting at the annual National Professional Anglers Association conference held in Ft. Meyers, Florida. With more than 100 fisher people, industry representatives, speakers and fishing educators, it was an awesome event. This association is for all fishing industry professionals and fisher men and women.
The conference spans two-and-a-half days and is packed with very informational presentations, round tables and discussions between the best of the best. Whether you want to work or play in the fishing industry, be a guide, tournament angler or learn more about how to fish for various species, this is the association.
For Sue and I, we got to sit down and have lunch, dinner, breaks, etc. with some of our sponsor’s leadership such as the President of Bass Cat Boats, Yamaha leadership, and other non-sponsors such as Skeeter Boats, Caymas Boats, Mercury Outboards, and numerous others.
My presentation was on how to gain and retain sponsors while taking in similar presentations and seminars from other fishing points of view such as the industry view, Bass, Walley and guides. Other presentations were given on insurance information and trends, tax changes and safety considerations.
Membership allows all to reap huge discounts from many premier companies for being a member. One does not have to come to the conference but, can gain these from their website www.npaa.com if you are a member. A weekly news release keeps everyone in the know on fishing impacts by new potential laws, changing fishing regulations, etc.
NPAA is not the only association I would recommend. There is a new one, PCAU for crappie fisher people and industry folks. It too has a great website and sponsors with big discounts on trucks, boats, and other fishing related industry partners.
You should join to experience the industry at its best. It includes how-to information and links to our ezines, CrappieNOW and CatfishNOW. Podcasts and newsletters are posted sometimes daily but no less than weekly.
If we join hands and passions for fishing, it will stay alive and well. If we want to retain access to our open waters and freedoms we must unite.
Join and have fun! God bless,
Dan Dannenmueller – PUBLISHER
