BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Photo courtesy of BASSMASTER
Johnson Outdoors, one of the most innovative companies in the fishing and boating industries, has expanded its sponsorship of B.A.S.S. events, including the Bassmaster Classic and Bassmaster Elite Series.
Under the multiyear agreement announced today, three of Johnson Outdoors’ most powerful brands — Minn Kota, Humminbird and Talon — will be premier sponsors of B.A.S.S., the world’s largest fishing organization with more than 500,000 members, through 2019, 2020 and 2021. Minn Kota and Humminbird will continue their prominence at Bassmaster events. Minn Kota’s Talon shallow-water anchors brand is new to the family of premier sponsors of B.A.S.S.
“We at B.A.S.S. value our close relationship with Johnson Outdoors companies, and we appreciate their loyalty over the years,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “We share a dedication to inspire more people to experience the great outdoors, and we look forward to working alongside Johnson Outdoors to accomplish that goal in the coming years.”
“We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with B.A.S.S. as it reflects our mutual commitment to the sport of fishing,” said Johnson Outdoors Senior Director Joe Brown. “Minn Kota and Humminbird have deep roots in the fishing community. Educating and inspiring anglers from first-fish to high school competitions, and even up to the Bassmaster Elite Series, is the embodiment of our agreement, and it gives us a platform to connect with anglers at every stage of their passion.”
Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics will serve as a premier sponsor in three categories — boating electronics, trolling motors and shallow-water anchors — for all levels of B.A.S.S. competition, including the Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops and Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series.
The Classic is set for March 15-17 in Knoxville, Tenn., with Minn Kota, Humminbird and Talon logos prominently on display at the Bassmaster Classic weigh-ins at Thompson-Boling Arena adjacent to the Tennessee River in Knoxville.
“The 2018 Classic in Greenville and Anderson, S.C., drew record attendance of more than 143,000, and we look forward to a similar turnout in Knoxville,” Akin added.
But before the Classic, the new premier partnerships will kick off Jan. 24-26 with the BassPro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open on Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes at Leesburg and will continue with two back-to-back Elite Series events, one on the St. Johns River at Palatka, Fla., Feb. 7-10, and another at Lake Lanier, Gwinnett, Ga., Feb. 14-17.
The nine-stop Elite Series circuit features a full field of 75 top-tier professional anglers striving to catch the heaviest five-bass daily limits on some of the hottest and most productive bass fisheries in the United States. In addition to $100,000 first-place prizes in each contest, the anglers will be gunning to qualify for the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing,” the Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. The career-making event will be held in the spring of 2020 and will mark the 50th Classic since the inaugural championship on Lake Mead, Nevada, in 1971.
In addition to connecting with anglers through 35 Bassmaster tournaments next year, Minn Kota, Humminbird and Talon will reach bass fishermen through B.A.S.S.’s diverse, industry-leading media, including Bassmaster.com, Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times magazines, The Bassmasters television show, Bassmaster LIVE, Bassmaster Radio, social media and expos at the best-attended tournaments in existence — the Elite Series and Classic.
