Has anybody every been selected to test anything other than hooks & fillet knives?  This is my first 3 years in the club, after 3 months my first product test was hooks the size of Salmon eggs and the next product was a fillet knife within my 1st year.  I havent seen another product in over a year?  But on the website, there are so many really cool products tested and reviewed by members, but I never seen any of these, not even a lure?

I'm in for everything from crappie to Albacore on my testing profile, but have received nothing other than 2 lame products in 2 1/2 years?  This is promoted as a benefit of being a member......

Am I alone here?

In my time as a member I have recieved 2 field test items, a Big Fish Banjo Minnow kit and an Okuma spinning reel. While not a kayak or trolling motor, they have been welcome additions to my tackle collection. You might want to think about narrowing your profile a bit but remember that changing it moves you to the back of the line! Tom

How long you been a member Pegsguy? Are you a Life Member?

I cant see where to change my selections anymore or even to see what I have. I'll keep looking here on the website. As for the back of the line....since it's been over a year since I've seen anything...I got nothing to lose. But I do need to do something. However a minnow kit and a spinning reel sounds great to me. I'll I have seen is hooks!

The club sends me a pack of cheap bait hooks with every life member invitation. But I'm reluctant.
I emailed the club about weather becoming a life member would make a difference and participation in this program. This is my 3rd year as a regular member and I've seen no benift to this advertized proctuct testing program personally. I will look into finding out what my selections were or are. From memory, all I remember was I selected, saltwater, salmon, bass and trout.

Thanks for your replies and help.

PondJumper: Yes, I am a life member and have been for about 3 years, annual before that. To be honest I took the life membership thinking it was a cheap magazine subscription and never gave a thought to the field test program! I did recieve a bunch of stuff as part of the life member program including a Shimano rod and reel. The reel is nice-not great, nice. I love the rod but have heard reports of breakage from other members. I can't tell you how to view your tester profile, but to change it go to My Account-Field Test Program and click on re-enroll. It doesn't sound like you are to vague in your choices though. BTW, I saw a review of the reel I field tested and it showed a retail of $85. Not bad in my book. Tom

Whoa! You got a reel to test Pegsguy?! Cool! I received my first, and so far my only test product, with my welcome kit when I upgraded to Life Member status a few months ago. It was a fabric, zip up lure carrying case. Pretty cool actually. While I am always checking my mail box for the next test product, it is not the main reason I joined. I hope I get something soon but if not im still a happy member and glad I joined up! Hey PondJumper? If they let you field test and keep a boat, bring me along buddy!

i too have recieved 2 items to field test i have been a nember since 20000 first an annual member then the last 5 or so a life member had a problem with my profile for awhile but kurt beckstrom got it straightened out for me about a year ago and im just waiting to get something else with as many members as try to get items it will probably take awhile

Captain:  Don't confuse the Life Member premiums with field test stuff. I also recieved the lure case (it works great for soft plastics) and a rod cover as part of the premium package. A field test will normally have an email associated with it. Tom

Cool it looks like were getting some great feedback on the subject. Here is what I know and found out so far. As a non-life member once you receive a product to test, you send in your evaluation form and then; you can re-enroll, I have done this twice. You have to do this each time. As a life Member, you do not have to re-enroll or change anything if you dont want to. But I do think you get the option to change your profile choices. Non-life members have to wait to receive their next product before they can change their feild test profile.

On mine, says I'm enrolled and in-line for my next product and please be patient; but its been that way for over 12 months.....that is awhile in my book.

This club has other benifits I like and the magazine in top notch, and yes, very affordable. The website and forums alone are worth the annual fee. Primarily, I do want to be a product tester, I have done this for other companies, other products.

When reading about all these fabulous products that other members have tested did make and persuade me to join in the first place. To me it is portrayed as something attainable.
So my quest continues to find the secret to get something greater than $20.00 value to test and yes...keep! LOL I valued the fillet knife I tested at $19.95 and the salmon egg hooks....$0.79 cents for the pack of five. Rated them very well as they did what they were supposed to do.

On the life member offer last year, that I declined, they did say theyd send you a personized pole and other things to value the upgrade in membership. Now there is the Trophy membership I'm looking into.
If I find that having a premier membership helps in better more frequent product tests...then sign me up But I havent been able to establish that with customer service that it makes a difference? Hence the creation of this topic.

Thanks all

Hey PondJumper I live in Spokane Washington! That bass is from the Spokane River! And hey Pegsguy, if that lure carrying case wasn't a test product than why did it come with an evaluation form? Just wondering. I filled it out and submitted it. I got the rod case and fillet knives and line and all that but I thought the carrying case was a test product! I guess I haven't received one yet after all!

Small world!

Look what I found on FAQ. Here's my answer and most likely an end to this thread:

#4. Once I have enrolled in the Product Testing Program, how long will it take until I get a product to test?

Due to the popularity of the Product Testing Program and because it is necessary to match each member to the manufacturer's tester selection criteria, it generally takes 6 to 9 months to receive a product. Normally, we limit testers to 1 product every 12 months.

Guess I'm do any week now....   I've been reading alot in the forums & North American Fisherman; and in regards to testing comments, seems alot more come from Life Members.  So it looks like a membership upgrade for me.

Have a great season all. Fish on!

I saw a post somewhere that stated that Life Members did not have to re-register after a field test. I can state for a fact that this is NOT the case, once you field test you must re-register. Tom

It is what it is .
NO ONE SAID YOU WOULD GET TO FIELD TEST A BIG MONEY PRODUCT. be happy with what you get and send the manufacture a thank you card . you may be surprised to see they make other products and sent you a coupon or it opened up another door to field test another one of there products.

There are a lot of members and if there being fair to everyone that applies, and are going buy a list, you may be dead buy the time they come back to you .
there is no way of knowing what you will get it is like a lottery. we got this product your name is up and you match the manufactures recommendations you get what ever it is the guy rite behind you may get the rod or reel or whatever . why because your name came up to be the last one to test the other product and now we got a new one . OH well That is how it works .

It's been 15 years since I last tested a package of plastic grubs....

Yup it could be awhile I haven't seen anything in well over a year and I did reregister after the last item!!!!

15 years slipperybob? That's awful! Surely there must be a problem with your registration, I'd check it out. Well, I guess in 15 years you've probably already done that. They should send you a 20ft. Ranger and make you the host of knot wars! Hang in there buddy.

Posted By mo65 on 21 Jul 2011 04:57 PM
15 years slipperybob? That's awful! Surely there must be a problem with your registration, I'd check it out. Well, I guess in 15 years you've probably already done that. They should send you a 20ft. Ranger and make you the host of knot wars! Hang in there buddy.

Anybody would be better than Steve Pennaz...

How much does a life membership cost?