Rojas, Pirch, Card,Pipkens and Aveda Move to Suzuki Motors in 2018!

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. is proud to announce their roster of pro fishermen for the 2018 Bassmaster® Elite Tournament Series. “Suzuki is back in 2018, bigger and better than ever,” said Gus Blakely, vice president of sales for Suzuki Marine. “We’re eager to see our guys compete on the Elite circuit – all powered by Suzuki’s 250SS 4-stroke outboard.”

Suzuki stalwarts Brandon Card, Chad Pipkens and Clifford Pirch, will welcome Dean Rojas, Gerald Spohrer and Adrian Aveda to the team in 2018.

Dean Rojas

Suzuki welcomes veteran Arizona bass angler Dean Rojas to the team. Dean is a four-time winner on the Bassmaster® Elite Series tour and has 47 career Top 10 finishes. In addition, Rojas still holds the all-time B.A.S.S.® one day record catch of 45.2 pounds. With winnings totaling over $2 million dollars as a professional angler, Rojas brings a wealth of experience to the Suzuki team.

”I’m super-pumped to have a Suzuki on the transom of my new Blazer bass boat this year,” said Rojas. “I’ve watched Suzuki come alive over the past couple seasons and couldn’t be prouder to be on the team.” Look for Dean to be in the spotlight in 2018, as he campaigns for the first time with Suzuki Power.

Gerald Spohrer

Next up is Gerald Spohrer, a US Navy vet from Gonzales, LA. After starting out on the FLW Tour, Gerald moved to the Elite series last year. He was the Bassmaster® Central Open Angler of the Year in 2016 and broke into the Top 10 at last year’s Elite tournament on Lake St. Clair.

2018 holds a lot of promise for Spohrer. “Having a new Suzuki on my Bass Cat will be a first for me,” said Spohrer, “but not a first for Bass Cat. I can’t wait to get out on the water again and give ‘er a go.”

Adrian Avena

Adrian Avena also moved up to the Bassmaster® Elite Series after starting out on the FLW Tour and boasts career winnings approaching half a million dollars. Adrian grew up in New Jersey and counts the Chesapeake Bay as his home lake. Needless to say, he’s comfortable on big water.

Swindle's Giant New Sponsor

 To start the 2018 season on the Bassmaster Elite season, Gerald Swindle has inked a new mega deal with Rapala. Here's the G-Man himself talking about his move to Rapala.

Shimano and Rapala Join Forces with BASS.

BASS Big Draw for Anglers

Originally posted in Angling International

Two of the world’s top fishing tackle manufacturers have announced major sponsorship agreements with B.A.S.S.

Under the deals, Shimano and Rapala will be supporting sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Nation events and other major tournaments run by the organisation.

“We welcome Rapala into the B.A.S.S. sponsor family,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S. “The company is known worldwide as an innovator and marketer of premium fishing lures and tackle as well as a strong supporter of many Bassmaster Elite Series professionals. We look forward to helping Rapala grows its brands as it helps us grow the sport of bass fishing.”

“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 organisation. We also value our friendship with all the great people at B.A.S.S. Together we are building momentum – it’s really fun to be part of it all.”

Aaron Martens and Megabass Dissolve Partnership

Megabass of America, the US arm of Japan’s foremost innovator of premium fishing tackle, confirmed today that after 17 years, Megabass’ title sponsorship of Aaron Martens is ending.

“While we are of course disappointed that our professional relationship will not continue in 2015, we certainly understand Aaron’s decision to pursue a new business opportunity,” said Yuskei Murayama, Vice President of Megabass of America. “Aaron is one of the most gifted anglers of his time, and it is no surprise to us that a fledgling brand would invest heavily in his services.”

Partnered with Megabass since his early days on the West Coast circuits, Martens has quickly risen to the top of the national stage. With two Bassmaster AOY titles, three U.S. Open Championships, and multiple victories to his name, Aaron has solidified himself as one of the most consistent, talented, and feared anglers on Tour.

“In many ways, we would not be where we are today without Aaron,” said Murayama, “so we wish to take this opportunity to give thanks for the whole-hearted dedication, passion, and expertise Aaron has shared with us these past 17 years. Megabass is certainly better for it, and will continue to strive to make the kind of equipment that elevates our anglers to ever-greater success. We wish Aaron the best in this next chapter of his career.”

Scott Martin and Okuma Team Up to Win.

Get The Gear. Grab The Deals.

We're celebrating the release of the Okuma tournament platform with exceptional opportunities that begin January 1, 2012. Purchase a new Komodo or Serrano baitcast reel and receive a FREE Okuma die-sublimated tournament jersey by mail, a $69.99 value! Purchase a Helios or saltwater-specific Cedros low-profile baitcast reel and qualify for a $30 cash rebate by mail. Purchase a Citrix and receive a $20 cash rebate by mail. All-new Krios baitcast reels are accompanied by a $10 rebate by mail. Join Okuma with the most exciting and performance-driven products in the industry!

2011 FLW Champion Scott Martin Joins Okuma Nation! Okuma FIshing Tackle is proud to have teamed with FLW Champion Scott Martin, both on tour and within The Scott Martin Challenge television series. In getting to know Scott, we quickly realized that like Okuma, he shares uncommon enthusiasm for the sport. Sure, he won the FLW Cup in 2011, but rather than talk about himself, Scott's interest is often directed at YouTube videos of exceptional catches by anglers that have never entered a tournament. It's about the fish. It's about the experience. It's about the energy and excitement of every day with Scott. And that's exactly why there's not another professional angler in the country that we'd rather work with to showcase Okuma designs and technologies.