Rapala, maker of premium lures and other fishing tackle and accessories, will sponsor the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series, the world’s premier professional bass fishing tournaments, as well as other major B.A.S.S. tournament circuits, B.A.S.S., LLC announced today.
Under the agreement, Rapala will be a supporting sponsor of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series, B.A.S.S. Nation events, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops and the Costa Bassmaster High School Series, in addition to the Elite Series.
“We welcome Rapala into the B.A.S.S. sponsor family,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “Rapala is known worldwide as an innovative maker and marketer of premium fishing lures and tackle, and the company has been a strong supporter of many of the Bassmaster Elite Series professionals. We look forward to helping Rapala grow its brands as it helps us grow the sport of bass fishing.”
Rapala Brands includes some of the most recognizable names in bass fishing, including Rapala, VMC, Sufix, Luhr-Jensen, Blue Fox, Storm and Terminator.
“Rapala is extremely proud to be a sponsor of the Elite Series,” said Tom Mackin, president of Rapala USA. “We value our strong strategic marketing partnership with this world-class organization. We also value our friendship with all of the great people at B.A.S.S. Together we’re building momentum … it’s really fun to be a part of it all!”
Rapala will receive signage and display space at B.A.S.S. expos and events throughout the season, including the nine regular-season Elite Series events and the season finale, the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship at Mille Lacs Lake, a world-class smallmouth bass fishery a short drive from Rapala’s headquarters in Minnetonka, Minn.
In addition, the company will advertise frequently in B.A.S.S.’s industry-leading fishing magazines, Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times, and website, Bassmaster.com.
About Rapala
Rapala’s legacy of unwavering quality can be seen in all their products and it is validated as its reach is through 140 countries. Rapala, which has a history of more than 80 years of lure making, has proven that its products are crafted from experience offering more new lures, new actions, new sizes, new colors, new finishes and new ways of catching more fish.
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
