THE LATEST NEWS
Gill Announces Pro Bass Angler Roster
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Buford, GA (March 12, 2019) – In the highly competitive world of pro bass fishing, staying dry, warm, and comfortable can mean the difference between a stellar payday or a poor finish. Along those lines, Gill is proud to announce their official roster of pro bass anglers wearing various Gill rainwear and other fishing apparel and accessories to make their time on the water more profitable and a lot more fun. |
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Gill pro Fred Roumbanis |
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A diverse group of anglers from various locations coast to coast, Gill’s new roster of 15 pro bass anglers also represent the three major pro bass circuits: the B.A.S.S. Elite Series, Major League Fishing (MLF), and FLW. Additionally, Gill pros Drew Benton and Dean Rojas will be fishing in the bass fishing’s biggest tournament, the Bassmaster Classic, this coming March 15-17 in Knoxville, Tennessee. In the B.A.S.S. Elite Series, anglers Skylar Hamilton, Denny Brauer, Luke Palmer, Drew Benton, and Chris Groh are all representing Gill. On the Major League Fishing circuit, Dean Rojas, Marty Robinson, Randall Tharp, Stephen Browning, Fred Roumbanis, and John Murray are all wearing Gill professional rainwear and additional fishing apparel. And fishing the FLW for Gill are Pete Ponds and Russell Cecil. And lastly, Gary Dobyns, the all-time-winningest in the West, as well as Jon Crans, another great ambassador for Gill, will be representing the brand. |
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Gill pro Marty Robinson |
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With Gill’s pro bass angler roster rife with such talent, the company looks forward to not only continued exposure but product design feedback from some of the best sticks on the water. “Our goal is not only to build exposure through relationships with these anglers but utilize the discourse they provide on making our best-in-class products even better,” says Tim Golden, U.S. National Sales Manager, Gill Fishing. |
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Gill pro Dean Rojas |
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Golden continues: “The fact that we have this caliber of anglers on our team is a testament to the quality and confidence these anglers have in Gill. I have worked closely with Brauer, Roumbanis, Murray, Ponds, Hamilton and Dobyns, and I can tell you they all expect top quality products. We are honored they chose Gill.” To learn more about Gill’s fishing rainwear and additional apparel, visit www.gillfishing.com. |
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Gill pro Randall Tharp About Gill Gill was an idea first born on British waters in 1975 by founder Nick Gill, a keen sailor who wanted to create a range of sailing product without compromise; the best fabrics, the best features, the best quality. Now trusted for over 40 years, Gill has grown into an established technical marine apparel brand meeting consumer needs both on and off the water and continues to combine innovative design with the latest fabric technology to increase the performance of its range. Distributed around the world to 37 countries and more recently through a global Ecommerce platform Gill remains the number one marine glove brand and its comprehensive product range driven by the well-known Race Ocean jacket (0C1) as well as global best seller the Offshore jacket (0S2) continue to set it apart. More recently Gill introduced the highly successful FG21 Tournament Suit with vortex hood to the North American Fishing market. |
Toyota adds Bassmaster Elite Series Anglers Matt Arey and Brandon Lester
Texas-based Toyota Motor North America proudly announces the expansion of their professional bass angling team to include Bassmaster Elite Series anglers Matt Arey and Brandon Lester.
Arey, who passed his driver’s test 22 years ago in a Toyota truck, has won nearly $1 Million in his pro angling career, and qualified for 10 Forrest Wood Cup Championships before joining the Bassmaster Elite Series this season.
“I passed my driver’s test in a 1993 four-wheel drive, extended cab, Toyota pick-up truck with BFG All Terrain tires on it. If you can’t tell that truck still means the world to me 22 years later,” smiles Arey, who holds a degree in Business Agriculture from North Carolina State.
“These days, I’m driving my fifth full-size Toyota Tundra,” says Arey. “It’s all about reliability. I’ve never had a mechanical issue with any of the five Tundras I’ve bought, and the Bonus Bucks program is a no-brainer if you’re a tournament fisherman.”
Brandon Lester is truly one of bass fishing’s brightest young stars, and he too has been a loyal Tundra owner during his short but illustrious career that includes (23) Top 20s and 3 Bassmaster Classics.
“I bought my first Tundra because I wanted to be eligible for Bonus Bucks, but it’s just a top-quality vehicle, and the huge 38-gallon fuel tank they have today is just awesome for those of us that tow a bass boat long distances,” says Lester.
“Honestly, I’m both honored and humbled to be a part of Team Toyota because there’s no other company in the world that has done more to support bass fishing during the six years I’ve been a pro than Toyota,” says Lester.
“Toyota is proud to have two Bassmaster Elite Series pro anglers who have been long-time customers, and successful in the Bonus Bucks Program join the Toyota Fishing Team,” concluded Matt Ozawa, Engagement Marketing Manager, Toyota North America.
Ish Monroe – Lake Toho 2019
Ride a long with Ish Monroe at Lake Toho during Stage 1 of the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour. Lots of epic hook sets in this one!
KVD and “The College Kid”
Kevin VanDam is fishing his 28th Bassmaster Classic. He’s won four of them. Nick Ratliff is a 22-year-old college senior who will graduate in May, and earned his way to bass fishing’s biggest event for the very first time in Knoxville this week through the highly competitive Carhartt Bassmaster College Series.
And while “KVD” is arguably the most recognized three letter nickname in pro angling, unless Ratliff, a business and marketing major from Campbellsville University, shoots to the top of the leaderboard – and he could – then most fans will likely refer to him as “The College Kid” as he navigates his way through bass fishing’s big dance in East Tennessee.
Despite their vast difference in experience, and the fact VanDam has twin sons the same age as Ratliff, don’t be shocked if both of them do extremely well. And both were gracious enough to talk openly about their expectations for the 49th Bassmaster Classic while sharing a few minutes together on the banks of the Tennessee River.
What is the single most special thing about fishing in your first Classic?
VanDam: Even though I didn’t do real well at that 1991 Classic, it was the energy I felt watching Ken Cook win, and recognizing how bad I wanted to hold that trophy some day.
Ratliff: What’s most special to me is the fact my first Classic is so close to my home in Kentucky. So I’m able to share it with about 50 family and friends who plan to make the short trip here.
What will be the biggest challenge in this Classic?
VanDam: Being consistent over three days amid so many changes in weather and water conditions.
Ratliff: Dealing with so many changing variables all piled on top of fish that are already changing daily as the spawn approaches.
What percentage of the fish weighed-in this week do you think will be smallmouth bass?
VanDam: 25%
Ratliff: 35%
What’s the coolest thing about the recent explosion in popularity of high school and college fishing?
VanDam: It’s solved much of the concern we had for years as to how to attract young anglers to our sport.
Ratliff: The coolest thing to me is the amount of talent that exists in the college ranks. There are so many kids fishing in college right now that are amazingly talented anglers.
If you had to give one another a single piece of advice, what would it be?
VanDam: Nick just needs to realize that it’s so hard to qualify for this tournament. It’s super special – so just enjoy every moment you can this week.
Ratliff: The only advice I can offer Kevin is that he needs to start calling me more often with more free advice.
Major League Fishing reveals on-air talent for MLF NOW!
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| The new Major League Fishing MLF NOW! live stream broadcast team consists of (left to right): Rob Newell, JT Kenney, Marty Stone, Natalie Dillon and Chad McKee. The program will provide five hours of live streaming coverage during each competition day of MLF Bass Pro Tour series’ events. (Click to enlarge/download) |
are critical parts throughout the competition days at every event.
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