Ranger Boat's Shake Up Results in Bass Boat Sponsorship Switcheroo

Ranger cancels contracts

By Luigi De Rose

Takahiro Omori joins Bass Cat as scores of 
other Ranger Boat pros move on. (Photo: Facebook) 

Has the penny finally dropped? With the acquisition of Rangers boats by White River Marine Group in 2014, fans and pros alike wondered how that would change the face of bass fishing. Immediate change never transpired but under the strain of Covid, a changing market place and an upsurge in popularity in fishing and boating, 2021 has become the year of change. Ranger Boats has always held the largest pro-bass boat team in the industry. That still holds true but to the shock of many fans and pros alike, there has been a shake up. Surprisingly, some of the most popular and successful Bassmaster, MLF/ Bass Pro Tour, Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit were not shielded. 

Boat companies cannot take the brunt of the blame for change. Engine companies hold tremendous power and money. Competitive anglers must go with whom is willing to feed them. Much like boat companies, the engine market is ruled by a few key figures. Mercury is king. Yamaha is a strong second with Honda and Suzuki grabbing slivers of the market share from these two giants.  

Keep a look out for your favourite angler on social media as they might be sporting a new boat title sponsor for the upcoming season.

Here is the current list of anglers as of January 27, 2021

Takahiro Omori: Ranger to Bass Cat

Bill McDonald: Ranger to Bass Cat

Scott Suggs: Ranger to Bass Cat

Cody Meyers: Ranger to Blazer

John Murray: Ranger to Caymas

James Watson: Ranger to Charger

Luke Clausen: Ranger to Charger

Charles Sim: Ranger to Falcon

Tom Redington: Ranger to Pheonix

Ish Monroe: Ranger to Skeeter

Scott Martin: Ranger to Skeeter

Brett Hite: Ranger to Vexus

Jared Lintner: Ranger to Vexus

Jason Christie: Ranger to Xpress Boats

 

Non-Ranger Pros who have switched

Fletcher Shryock: Nitro to Caymas

 Carl Jocumsen: Bass Cat to Falcon

Brandon Coulter: Triton to Falcon

Keith Poche: Triton to Gator Trax Boats

New Mercury EFI 4 Stroke Engines with Peter Hart

The new Mercury EFI 4 Stroke engines have the best technology of the 4 stroke and the dependability of the EFI motors. Learn all the new features of these motors from Peter Hart of Mercury Marine Canada.

Mercury Marine Increases Manufacturing Capacity

Merc revs up production

Originally posted in Angling International

Mercury Marine is adding 45,000 square feet to its manufacturing capacity in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Mercury Marine President, John Pfeifer:
"We have very robust growth initiatives planned 

The global marine propulsion company is also investing in new equipment to streamline its manufacturing process and is expanding its office space by 8,000 square feet. The work will be completed in January 2017.

The expansion means that Mercury Marine has invested more than $730m into capacity, technology and product development since 2009. It is the second major development of the Fond du Lac site in the past year.

“Demand for our product in the global marketplace has afforded the opportunity to grow our manufacturing capabilities,” said Mercury Marine President John Pfeifer. “This move will allow us to increase production and capacity to ensure we meet the growing needs of our customer base.

“In 2009 we made a commitment to grow our global headquarters in Wisconsin and create new jobs. We continue to do both. We have very robust growth initiatives planned over the next few years.”

Mercury employs 5,000 people worldwide, more than half of which work in Fond du Lac.

Mercury Unveils Four New Engines at the Miami Boat Show

Mercury Marine introduced four new engines Thursday at the Miami International Boat Show – the Verado® 350hp outboard, Mercury Racing Verado 400R outboard, Mercury Racing QC4v 1550 sterndrive and Mercury 4.5-liter 200hp sterndrive.

Evinrude Revamps Look with New Dynamic Designs for their E-TEC G2

Evinrude has reshaped their 4 stroke motors. The E-TEC G2 is a totally new design which offers new advancements to reduce oil and gas consumption and reducing hard to the environment.

For a look at their promo video click here  VIDEO

2013 WON US BASS starts today! Check out Live Feed!

Las Vegas, Nev. - September 8, 2013 - Noted as one of the toughest, yet most "just" fishing tournaments in the world, the WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open bass fishing tournament will kick off Monday September 9 on Lake Mead, in the desert outside Las Vegas. Once again, the Costa See What's Out There Live show will be presented by Costa Sunglasses throughout the entirety of the three day event.

In its 31st year, the U.S. Open has proven to be an event that anyone has the potential to win because of the fact that Lake Mead presents anglers with the opportunity to catch fish in a variety of ways. Lake Mead also is the kind of fishery that gives few anglers a true home field advantage.

The desert conditions also present challenges to the anglers and their equipment. Past events have featured days eclipsing 100 degrees and afternoon monsoons that drop temperatures dramatically, bring high winds and torrential downpours to the event.

Sean Stafford Wins 2012 WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open

Defeats Two-Time Champion Clifford Pirch by Narrow Margin Las Vegas, Nev. - September 13, 2012 - The theme for the 2012 WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open has been the proverbial adage, "change is constant." Once again, the conditions at Lake Mead made an about face and it made for interesting decision making for the 256 anglers in the field. But, when you are running the most prestigious single tournament in the Western United States; one that has a reputation for being the toughest tournament in bass fishing, a little adversity adds to the story. Following a day with dense clouds and desert monsoon conditions, Lake Mead became a gentle lady and provided the field with high, bluebird skies and glassy surface waters. While those conditions are perfect for a boating day with the family, they are certainly no gift for the bass angler.

2012 US OPEN on Lake Mead Day 2: Pirch Posed for another Victory

Las Vegas, Nev. -
September 11, 2012 -
WON Press Release
The one constant of a bass tournament is that change is going to happen. Don't like the weather conditions? Wait a while. When the field of anglers for the 30th Anniversary WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open awoke at Boulder Station Casino, it was obvious that change had occurred.

Clifford gains control for another win at the US Open.
(Photos: WON) 

The cloudy, blustery weather that had been predicted for the first day had held off, but it decided to make an appearance on day two. The day two takeoff conditions featured higher winds and a thick layer of storm clouds building out of the eastern shores of Lake Mead.

Normally, clouds and wind often signal an improved bite for anglers as baitfish are stirred up bringing a lake's bass population to life. However, being that the venue for this event is Lake Mead; those conditions can often have a negative effect.