THE LATEST NEWS
Jamey Caldwell Introduces The New Clear Series from Strike King
Strike King Pro Jamey Caldwell introduces the new clear series of hardbaits and explains a few benefits of this new option.
Follow Jamey on his Facebook page.
Molix Expands USA Pro Staff Team
Pittsgrove, NJ, January 19, 2018. Professional Edge Fishing, Inc., a brand and angler representation company, announces their new role as authorized US representative of Molix (Pro Tackles S.r.I.) and will manage all marketing and promotion of the brand. Bassmaster Elite Series Angler, Justin Lucas has joined Mike Iaconelli and Carl Jocumsen, both current representatives of Molix, on the Professional Edge Fishing Molix Pro Staff Team.
The Molix Pro Staff Team will be responsible for the marketing and promotion of the ten-year-old, Italian based bait company, Molix, in the USA. MOLIX’s top quality, award winning Italian inspired products were first introduced to the US bass fishing market in 2010 by Mike Iaconelli with his signature ‘Lover Series’ baits and ‘Ike’s Signature Colors Series as well as Molix’s full line of spinner baits, wire baits and hollow body frogs. Australian/American Carl Jocumsen Pro Angler began a similar collaboration with Molix in 2016.
Each angler on the Pro Staff Team will be working and promoting different aspects of the entire line of Molix tackle during the upcoming tournament season. These anglers will have input into the development of new and exciting products moving forward.
Justin says he has been a huge fan of Molix, “From the first time I laid my eyes on Molix baits, I saw their superior attention to detail and could tell that the quality of their products would meet my high standards. I have their jigs and wire baits loaded up in my boat and ready for use on the Elite Series.”
Stefano Sammarchi, CEO of Molix, an accomplished angler himself, says. “We are very excited to have Justin Lucas with Molix. We’ve been following him on the trail for several years and are really pleased that he has joined the Pro Staff Team. Justin is an outstanding angler and family man from Alabama, a place dear to me as it was the first place I visited in the USA. He’s a perfect addition to the US Pro Staff Team and we are sure that his talent will be an added value to the development of new products.”
ABOUT JUSTIN LUCAS:
A Northern Californian native fished his rookie season on the Bassmaster Elite Series, and has since qualified for three consecutive Bassmaster Classics and won two Basssmaster Elite events. Justin’s sponsors include Abu Garcia, Berkley, A.R.E, Phoenix Boats, Yamaha Pro Fishing, Costa, Tackle Warehouse, Bass Mafia, Dick Depek Tires & Wheels, BOLT and Under Armour, EconoLodge, Hummingbird, TALON, Minn Kota.
ABOUT MOLIX BRAND BAITS:
Molix is an Italian brand of professional fishing products and accessories. Their high-quality products are thanks to the continuous research and innovative design, in order to suit the changing needs of modern fishermen. With input from anglers around the world, Molix develops products with their innovative, characteristic Italian style of products.
ABOUT PROFESSIONAL EDGE FISHING:
Professional Edge Fishing, Inc. is a New Jersey based, full-service angler management, representation, and marketing company specializing in the outdoor sportfishing market. Professional Edge Fishing represents several of the top professional anglers in the fishing world, which include Michael Iaconelli, John Crews, Ish Monroe, and Cliff Crochet. Professional Edge Fishing also works with many product manufacturers by developing custom marketing campaigns designed to connect these companies directly with millions of grass roots fishing enthusiasts around the globe. For more information, visit http://ProfessionalEdgeFishing.com, contact Becky Iaconelli at (571)215-4366, or info@professionaledgefishing.com
Sumrall Went from Laid-Off, to Elite Series Rookie Pro in one Afternoon
Leveraged by the magical fate of a few good topwater bites, Caleb Sumrall went from a recently laid-off father of two, to a B.A.S.S. Nation National Champion, and then the last guy invited to join the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2018.
With roughly $40,000 in ‘start-up’ money from his B.A.S.S. Nation National Champion win, he accepted the lofty and rather intimidating invitation to launch a pro career, but with two young children, and a stay-at-home wife, forty grand is only about half the required funding to cover entry fees, boat gas, and travel.
“At one afternoon weigh-in back in October, I went from thinking I might finish second, have to sell my boat, and hurry to find a new job, to being a National Champion and a Bassmaster Classic qualifier, with a chance start the pro career I’ve dreamed about forever,” says the highly likeable and humble, 30-year old from Southern Louisiana.
The Sumralls are all-in. Soon Caleb, wife Jacie, and their two young children will tour the country in a Toyota Tundra, towing a BassCat, and trying to run down a dream.
They’re pushing all the chips to the middle of the table, and instead of laboring for the oil field company, where for 12 years he steadily progressed from turning wrenches to managing a maintenance area, he’s now working daily to secure more sponsorship dollars and fill his 2018 calendar with detailed tournament travel plans.
Sumrall says his Toyota CrewMax, and the thousands of Bonus Bucks dollars he’s won fishing amateur tournaments to this point, are more than a just another truck and some pocket change, and instead, a means to travel with his family, and significantly offset the unnerving expenses he facing.
“There’s a lot of things I love about my Tundra, but if I had to pick one feature I love most, I’d tell you it’s the huge amount of space in the back seat of my CrewMax, because it allows us to travel as a family with a lot more space and comfort,” says Sumrall.
While winning the B.A.S.S. Nation National Championship paid him $5,000 in Toyota contingency cash, he also won a lot of Toyota Bonus Bucks prior to that in American Bass Angler events too, and every bit of that money is playing a significant role to launching a pro career right now.
The odds are high, the costs are steep, but Caleb Sumrall is a special talent. Still very young, and most at home punching hay grass or hyacinth matts with an ounce and quarter weighted Missile Baits D Bomb, he proved he can win in clear water with a topwater and a drop shot too. He also plans to earn extra money and experience between Elite Series tournaments guiding with highly respected Toledo Bend guide Darold Gleason.
“Even though I’m super nervous about all the unknowns of being a rookie on the Elites, I’ll tell you, I don’t wanna be a one-and-done on the Elites. I want to be around for a really long time,” says Sumrall.
Guess what? The win with a drop shot and topwater came on Lake Hartwell, home to this year’s Bassmaster Classic in late March, where Sumrall will have a chance to win $300,000.
Don’t bet against him.
You don’t have to be a rookie pro like Caleb to win the “Bonus Bucks” – you just have to be a registered participant in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program, and be the highest-placing participant in any of the dozens of tournaments supported by the program. To learn more and get signed-up, please visit http://www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com/ or phone (918) 742-6424, and ask for Jessica or Kendell and they can also help you get signed-up.
SUZUKI Adds 3 to PRO FISHING TEAM for 2018
(January 16, 2018 – Brea, CA) 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 Elite veterans Dean Rojas, Gerald Spohrer and Adrian Avena to the team in 2018. Here’s a brief introduction to each angler:
Adrian Avena
Adrian Avena 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.
“I’ve been running a Bass Cat for the past few years and have heard nothing but good things about Suzuki,” said Avena. “I’m stoked to get out on the water and show everybody just how good these Suzuki’s can run.” Avena is 2- for-2 qualifying for the Bassmaster® Elite AOY Championship and we’re looking forward to seeing him on the podium this year.
Brandon Card
Brandon joined the Elite Series right out of the University of Kentucky as the first Bassmaster College Series angler to qualify for the Elite Series. He’s fished the Classic twice so far has been in the money over 35 times. Card is also an inspiration to the upcoming crop of high school and college tournament anglers, holding his own Bass Open every year. This year’s event on Lake Norris in TN, gave out over $15,000 in cash and prizes to eager young anglers.
More importantly, it provided an opportunity for young anglers to showcase their talents and get valuable tournament experience. “When I was starting out, Suzuki gave me a shot,” said Card. “They’ve been behind me ever since and I couldn’t be prouder to see the team grow.” Card will campaign his Bass Cat again in 2018.
Chad Pipkens
Chad Pipkens is another Young Gun that runs a Suzuki on his Bass Cat. Pipkens brings a solid Midwestern work ethic and strong positive outlook to every Elite tournament. He knows the joy of victory, winning on Lake St. Clair near his home in Michigan, and has been in the Top 20 15 times, Career earnings total more than $300,000.
“We had a blast last year with Suzuki,” said Pipkens. “Never let me down, not once.” With another year of experience under his belt, expect to see Chad fishing on more Saturdays and Sundays this year.
Clifford Pirch
Clifford hails from Payson, AZ and cut his teeth on Western bass fishing. In fact, Pirch is a three-time Western Outdoor News Bass Open champion, and has been in the money over 45 times on Bassmaster® Elite Series tournament trail. Pirch has again qualified to fish in the Classic in 2018, his fifth appearance in the granddaddy of all pro angling tourneys.
“Last year was my first year with Suzuki and I have to say, I was impressed,” said Pirch. “And that’s not an easy thing to do,” he added. We can’t wait to see what Cliff will accomplish this season.
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.”
Suzuki offers four outboards in its 4-Stroke “SS” Series, giving pro and recreational tournament anglers access to the right power for their rig. “From 115 to 250 horsepower, Suzuki’s big displacement blocks, offset driveshaft and advanced fuel injection deliver impressive holeshot and top-end speed, great fuel economy and most importantly, rock solid reliability,” added Blakely. “Every fisherman out there has a choice when it comes to power. With more top pro anglers now running Suzuki’s, the word is spreading that we’ve got something special going on.”
Clifford Pirch will be fishing in this year’s GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, so don’t miss the weigh-ins to see how he’s doing. You’ll also have an opportunity to meet all of Suzuki’s pro anglers at this year’s 2018 Bassmaster® Classic Outdoors Expo presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods at the TD Convention Center in Greenville, SC. Be sure to stop by the Suzuki display to meet these anglers and take a closer look at the Suzuki SS Series outboards.
Suzuki offers a complete range of 4-stroke outboards from 2.5 to 350 horsepower. For more information, detailed specifications and on-the-water boat tests, please visit www.suzukimarine.com.
Become a Bass 365 Insider
What is Bass 365 Insider?
Bass 365 Insider is our version of using the “Power of the Crowd” with our industry contacts to get discounts on their products and services. Every month we’ll launch at least 10 discounts for 10 different companies. Members will also be alerted of large discount/short time framed FLASH DEALS throughout the month. .
How much does it cost to join?
For a limited time membership to Bass 365 Insider is only $2.99 monthly. Once you sign up you’re locked in at that price for the length of your membership. Join today for $2.99 a month.
How do I become a member?
Click registration above or use this link. From there you will use your email and create a password for your account. Payments will be set up through the very secure Paypal service. Payments can be made with a Paypal account or a credit card through the Paypal service. Payments are recurring every 30 days, but you can cancel your membership at any time. Beware, if you cancel your $2.99 membership you lose that rate if you rejoin at a later date.