Lowrance, a world leader in marine electronics and GPS navigational systems, and B.A.S.S. will continue their long-standing relationship after striking a deal on a multiyear sponsorship agreement.
Lowrance has signed on to continue as a supporting sponsor of the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Nation events and the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series for 2016-2018. For the first time, Lowrance will also be a supporting sponsor of the Costa Bassmaster High School Series, the fast-growing circuit that gives high school anglers a chance to qualify for a national championship and compete for scholarship money.
“As one of the first sponsors in B.A.S.S. history, Lowrance is honored to continue this tradition, as we expand our support for the growing high school division, which represents the future of fishing,” said Gordon Sprouse, marketing director of Navico Americas, owner of the Lowrance brand.
“Through Lowrance innovation, we will continue to provide cutting edge solutions –– like StructureScan® 3D –– that continue to make Lowrance the No. 1 brand on the Elite Series tournament trail,” Sprouse said. “We will also continue with our rewarding Insight Genesis College Cup program for B.A.S.S. college anglers, while expanding a similar program for high school teams, called Varsity Rewards –– all designed to improve our country’s lake maps by awarding prizes in exchange for sonar logs that are converted into high-definition lake maps.”
Lowrance has been a marine electronics leader since it invented the first consumer sonar device, “The Little Green Box,” in 1957. The company introduced its first GPS receivers in 1991, and in 1995 Lowrance created GlobalMap 2000 — the world’s first LCD product to offer integrated GPS, mapping and sonar capabilities.
“It’s great for B.A.S.S. to continue our longstanding relationship with Lowrance,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S. “They’re a leader in the electronics industry, and have worked side-by-side with B.A.S.S. to help grow the sport of fishing through the years.”
Lowrance highlighted its flagship HDS Gen 3 fishfinder/chartplotter series with Lowrance StructureScan® 3D sonar imaging and introduced two new series of electronics at its booth in the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, March 4-6 in Tulsa, Okla. The HDS Gen 3 models are multifunction displays that allow users to network their boat’s entire electronics system and fully control trolling motor and outboard motor steering with Lowrance SmartSteer™. Also spotlighted at the booth were the new Lowrance Elite Ti Series, a family of touch-screen fishfinder/chartplotter stand-alone multifunction units, and the Lowrance HOOK Series, a value line of fishfinders, chartplotters and combos equipped with the essential features at a sensible price.
Lowrance also showcased the new Mercury Marine VesselView® Link, a small module that connects a Mercury engine data directly with Lowrance HDS displays, scheduled for availability this summer.
About Lowrance
The Lowrance brand is entirely owned by Navico Inc.. An international corporation, Navico is currently the world’s largest marine electronics company and is the parent company to leading marine electronics brands: Lowrance, Simrad and B & G.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines, Bassmaster website, television show, The Bassmasters, social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Nation, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
By: Helen White, Bassmaster
