Florida TrophyCatch program welcomes new partners
Category: press release
Oct 15th, 2015 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Oct 15th, 2015 at 12:00 AM
TrophyCatch (TrophyCatchFlorida.com) recently announced the successful conclusion of its third season as a citizen-science, conservation rewards program that continues to document Florida’s status as the bass fishing capital of the world. Entering into Season 4 (Oct. 1, 2015, to Sep. 30, 2016) several new businesses have partnered with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to make TrophyCatch even more appealing.
American Registry (AmericanRegistry.com/fishing) is a Delray Beach-based company that designs and manufactures hand-made plaques in the U.S.A. to commemorate outstanding achievements. They have designed a special plaque that they will provide free to all Season 3 and Season 4 Hall of Fame entrants who caught, documented and released a largemouth bass 13 pounds or heavier in Florida. In addition, they have customized plaques for Trophy Club (10- to 12.9-pound bass) and Lunker Club (8- to 9.9-pound bass), which they will provide at a 25 percent discount, upon request from verified TrophyCatch recipients. They have even extended the discount offer to Big Catch (BigCatchFlorida.com) recipients.
Another bit of news: TrophyCatch is working with KeepAmericaFishing’s national Pitch It campaign. Registered TrophyCatch anglers should use the rotating link on the bottom of the TrophyCatch website to sign the Pitch It pledge and commit to dispose of worn-out soft plastic lures properly. In return, they will receive a chance each month to win a $50 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card, while helping to keep our waterways clean.
ODU Magazine (ODUmagazine.com), one of TrophyCatch’s earliest collaborators, has gone even further for Season 4, reaching out to old and new TrophyCatch partners and providing an excellent promotional opportunity to encourage more fishing-related businesses to support TrophyCatch and receive discounted advertising, while anglers benefit from outstanding coverage of TrophyCatch and other fishing activities. This should be especially appealing to destination marketing organizations in Florida that know the huge economic impact that bass fishing has on their local communities.
TrophyCatch’s most prominent sponsor remains Bass Pro Shops. Every angler that catches, properly documents and releases a largemouth bass heavier than 8 pounds in Florida receives Bass Pro Shops gift cards, with the amount increasing as the size of the bass increases. Anglers should carefully review TrophyCatchFlorida.com for specific rules and prizes to be certain they will be prepared to document their catch’s weight with a photo of the entire bass on a scale, weight showing. In return, Bass Pro Shops awards Lunker Club anglers $100, Trophy Club entrants $150 and Hall of Fame recipients $200.
Other key sponsors for Season 4 that are continuing their support include Phoenix Boats, Mercury Marine, American Outdoors Fund, Rapala, Power-Pole, SpiderWire, New Wave Taxidermy, Glen Lau, Navionics, and Fitzgerald Rods.
Each season thus far has seen more anglers rewarded for helping support this citizen-science effort by providing the FWC with valuable data, while conserving and recycling trophy bass. Get involved by registering today and reviewing the rules.