Ray Roberts
Well-known member
Is it possible to remain objective about a bait or item of tackle that you are given for free or even paid to use?
I tend to doubt it. It doesn't mean that the person reviewing the product is necessarily dishonest, but if the product isn't that good then the reviewer is more likely to not mention the product rather than slate it. I think the crux of the matter is; would you dip your hand in your pocket and buy it in preference to something else, or when your sponsor stops paying you or giving the stuff to you for free, would you carry on using it in preference to the next product someone wants to pay you to endorse?
Another reason that you don't see too many negative reviews, is that even if the person buys a piece of kit then a poor review reflects the reviewers poor choice and most people don't want to be regarded as mug punters. An example of this is that; I recently bought a Drennan Floatmaster rod, and it's a great bit of kit to be honest. Maybe I wouldn't be so eager to share my thoughts if I had parted with a substantial amount of cash for a rod that fished like a stick of liquorice, as admitting to a lack of discernment reflects badly on the judgement of the guy who bought the pup.
I tend to doubt it. It doesn't mean that the person reviewing the product is necessarily dishonest, but if the product isn't that good then the reviewer is more likely to not mention the product rather than slate it. I think the crux of the matter is; would you dip your hand in your pocket and buy it in preference to something else, or when your sponsor stops paying you or giving the stuff to you for free, would you carry on using it in preference to the next product someone wants to pay you to endorse?
Another reason that you don't see too many negative reviews, is that even if the person buys a piece of kit then a poor review reflects the reviewers poor choice and most people don't want to be regarded as mug punters. An example of this is that; I recently bought a Drennan Floatmaster rod, and it's a great bit of kit to be honest. Maybe I wouldn't be so eager to share my thoughts if I had parted with a substantial amount of cash for a rod that fished like a stick of liquorice, as admitting to a lack of discernment reflects badly on the judgement of the guy who bought the pup.