Zaldain…goodbye Megabass, hello Googan?…

It's hard to blame Zaldain when we don't know the story. If MB chose not to renew, or Googan offered and MB respectfully let Zaldain walk. In the end these JDM companies (MB is now borderline JDM), don't invest heavily to bass pros like the US companies. Having enough funds for the tour is hard enough but they still have to make money to support their livelihood. We should just appreciate that Zaldain was a great ambassador to MB products, unlike some that are or once was on their staff. 

Even Imakatsu is cutting pro staff in Japan.  Here is what Imae said in a recent Top Secret blog post.

"the world of bus professionals and the bus industry are rapidly increasing their severity year by year, and i think that we are in an era where the intrinsic value and contribution as a "professional" are being asked dryly.
rather, it may be said that japanese bus pros have been extremely "lukewarm" as a professional sport.
this is the same reality at any manufacturer, and even oneself is "my body tomorrow", it is no exception."

So, this might be a similar problem going on with Megabass and just the tackle industry in general.   I also think we are in the social media Era; you do not need to possess fishing skill to be ProStaff for a company, but if you can edit a video, and maintain a good Youtube channel...you're a strong asset. Not only that, but the guys also do have these skills are willing to do it for cheaper because they aren't Fishing the Tour.

Fuck Googan and anything Googan, that is all I have to say. 

@kv80 valid points...and I completely agree with you. The US companies invest heavily in their pros and know they need to pay the bills, raise families, etc. while doing what they do best out on the water and promote their sponsors effectively. It only makes sense that JDM companies invest more heavily in their own "local" athletes as well, but MB is so well-known in the US these days, you'd think they would be easily capable/willing to keep their US-based pros financially comfy. I can only assume at this point, that money was the motivating factor here, but I don't know, and I don't think we will get the real story.

It's a complicated sport to be in, and again...you said it...it takes a good chunk of change to survive out there. You often don't have a choice, if you want to remain in the game. Depending on your financial situation and reputation in the sport, you've pretty much got to be willing to sell out to the highest bidder at any given point. It can't be easy. As much as I'd like to be, I haven't been in that position and true...it's easy to have an opinion from the outside. I know I sound a bit bitter...just sucks to see the people you respect in the sport move in a direction you hoped they wouldn't. Not to mention I'm just tired of the corporate, copy-cat/knock-off companies in the industry, especially Googan and the blatant infringement. Frankly...it's sad to see Zaldain move over to a company that's pretty much on the opposite side of the spectrum from what MB (in my opinion) has represented for many years in the sport...some solid innovation. I guess I'm just stubborn and would rather take a pay cut vs. jump on board with a company I truly have zero respect for (speaking for myself of course). That said, Zaldain did do a great job with MB and I wish him only the best. 

Posted by: @gswimbait

Even Imakatsu is cutting pro staff in Japan.  Here is what Imae said in a recent Top Secret blog post.

"the world of bus professionals and the bus industry are rapidly increasing their severity year by year, and i think that we are in an era where the intrinsic value and contribution as a "professional" are being asked dryly.
rather, it may be said that japanese bus pros have been extremely "lukewarm" as a professional sport.
this is the same reality at any manufacturer, and even oneself is "my body tomorrow", it is no exception."

So, this might be a similar problem going on with Megabass and just the tackle industry in general.   I also think we are in the social media Era; you do not need to possess fishing skill to be ProStaff for a company, but if you can edit a video, and maintain a good Youtube channel...you're a strong asset. Not only that, but the guys also do have these skills are willing to do it for cheaper because they aren't Fishing the Tour.

This, as well. Has real talent taken a back seat to marketability/social media marketing skills? As much as I hate to admit it, I'd have to say I agree with you and that's even scarier when you look at the path this is all going down. Hopefully it is just that...something that will eventually pass and not be permanent. 

Posted by: @kickerfish1

Fuck Googan and anything Googan, that is all I have to say. 

WTF is a "Googan"?!? 

@rise   It is the reality of the sport today.  Googan was built on a bunch of young Youtube stars. My cousin who is a teenager, loves the Googan baits and has asked me about them. So much of this game is marketing now that we here must be careful of also falling into the same trap.  The Googan squad brought fun back into fishing for a lot of young fishermen. They found an opening in a stale market and carried the ball through it.  Props to them.

I used to be a huge follower of the Bassmaster circuit, and I still respect the history of it. It is classic Americana as far as I see it. But I can't help but notice how stale the sport has become and how a lack of innovation has really become the norm.  I hoped that MLF would change the game and they had the chance! but that too became flacid rather quickly. 

But for some of us who take this a bit more philosophically than most, Mainstream Fishing culture has been off-putting.  

@gswimbait 

TRUTH... adaptation to and with change, while retaining the Essence and Core of what makes One Special, is the key to perpetuating future existence. Not only in implementation of technology, but in how to effectively connect and communicate/"speak" to what is coming, while not leaving behind what is, and avoiding dying on the vine of what was.

Companies that get that sub-culture and koolness/hipness of this "lifestyle", will successfully reap fruit from the current changing/evolving and future generations of patrons and customers...those that do not, will watch the Ship Sail Away.