fishing minnesota.com purpose

[leechlake]

I have a quesion about this site. There is a ton of useful and fun info on here. We all love fishing/outdoors and half the fun of it is thinking/dreaming/talking about it and I appreciate fishing minnesota being here. My quesion is regarding some of the subjects. When "out of the blue" they promote products being sold on the site is that because the site gains all profits from those products or is it something else. If it's for profits I think that's great. I just would like to know when I read a point of view I can evaluate it knowing the other persons potential bias. Once again...this is not a complaint, I just want to be able to weigh the information I receive. Thanks.

[Rick]

Pro Staff are volunteers.

I repeat, they are not paid for the information they give you. Period.

That includes information on products.

They do field test those products and are asked to give a completely honest evaluation of the fishing/outdoor gear they test.

You have to remember, most of the Pro Staff/Field Staff are very good anglers. Many also make an income from fishing services (Guides). Their reputation is on the line when they give an evaluation.

They wouldn't stay in the fishing business very long if they gave bad information or service. Their reputaion is very important to them.

That's why you can count on good honest evaluations from them. Their bias is that the things they talk about really work exactly the way they say they do.

As for FishingMinnesota.com, we receive very little of the profits. Unfortunately for us, most folks go to the stores to buy the products. I've heard figures of less than .1% of total sales go to us. Way less. It's certainly not worth it to me to give out biased information.

Fact is we won't take on a product sponsor who hasn't passed our high quality and pricing standards. If you understand the business, anything less and FishingMinnesota would lose money.

We do very much appreciate those who support this site and purchase here. Right now 1 sale a day would be helpful.

It's not the bonanza you may think leechlake.

Those purchases here do help this site keep going and we appreciate those of you who purchase your gear here.

Thanks.

Pro Staff-Field Staff, what do you think about this question?

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 04-04-2003).]

[Guest]

I can back Rick's statement. We are given products to field test. There have been many products that have been tested that did not meet the standards to consider for advertising. I wont endorse a product unless it's in my boat and I believe in it. It's much eaiser to promote when your using it and it works. Any product mentioned or backed by this site or any FM staff member is the real deal. Our reputation and business name's are on the line.

Just my .$02

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Mille Lacs Guide Service
651-271-5459
www.millelacsguideservice.com

[leechlake]

Rick, just so you know, if you re-read my post I said I hope fishingmn makes a profit I want you to succeed and all I wanted to know was if there was any connection. I truly believe if for example "adamjohnson" promotes something it's because he believes in it and his reputation is on the line. However if the peson promoting it is also paid by that company then there is a bias. That bias doesn't mean the product isn't good it just means there is a relationship I want to know about. This is a great site, I'd pay money just to view it, so I hope you will take my comments as informational only and not as me looking to find any fault whatsover with fishingminnesota or anyone who endorses products here. I hope that's enough said on this topic. I believe you took my question wrong or I communicated my point poorly. Sorry if that's how you took it.

[Rick]

leechlake,
I don't believe I took your question wrong.

I appreciate your question. Believe me, the question has been asked before, odds are, many other new users have the same question.

It's best to have it answered again.

Thanks leechlake.

[leechlake]

Thanks for answering my question, I'm now fully informed, thank you.

[Guest]

...bias, you say?

Is there a human being NOT biased?

If there is...please introduce me. On 2nd thought..I hate morgues! (.02 cents)

"LUND-MAM"

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"Leave NO Trace"

[Guest]

Yup Fishhead I agree, I won't back just anyone. I need to have hands on experance with the product, take it for a test drive, get the feel, performance, yada-yada-yada, ya see.

SO..If Hooters or Playboy needs a cat guide...Woo-Hoo...I'm dar man Eh!

I can be a Hooters Rooter! And Playboy...I'm all ears Eh!

I have high standerds Fishhead, but a guy needs to know his price..don't ja know.

[Aquaman01]

Leechlake -
It's taken me almost 8 months to figure it out - you are not alone.

(loud) Any Pro-Staff who need to field test their boat seats for performance under my butt while on the water - just let me know! I can also help field-test casting platforms, coolers, and beverage cozies! I just want to help!

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Aquaman
< )/////><{
"I think we're gonna need a bigger boat."

[Guest]

FM.com should make a buck, so should I, and odds are good so should all the rest of the readers out there. What tends to end up on the FM.com sales lists are stuff that is worth the buck, well tested by staff and others.

Some products are brought to Ricks attention by staff, pro's, and/or market reps. I know if it is not a winner Rick wouldn't beating us over the head trying to sell junk.

I may like this product, Fishhead or somebody else may like another, it all works out in the wash in the end. Nobody is sworn to a product by anything but personal preference. We back them because they work, if they don't, why waist anyones time hamming up a dead horse Eh?

I for one toss out a ton of name brands as hot tickets that are not sold here on FM.com, Rick has not shot me...yet.

You get a WIDE range of interests here, and product preferences often show this.

We all love out toys.

We love them best, when they work!

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

[email protected]

[This message has been edited by Backwater Eddy (edited 04-04-2003).]

[Dennis Steele]

Personaly,I will not promote a product unless I think its a good product.I also will not cultivate a relationship with a manufacturer or product unless I believe in that product and use it.If I have an interest in a product I do tell people about it and if I don't have an interest in a product and use it,I still tell people about it.
The staff here at "FM" do not get paid to give advice like Rick said.They share their knowledge and the products that they believe in becuase they like to see others being successful at fishing.When I take someone out fishing I want to make sure that they catch fish.I believe that the products I use and recommend are going to put fish in the boat.

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Minnesota River Guided Fishing
"fishhead"
[email protected]
www.mnriverguidedfishing.com