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NPAA Supporting Partners Describe Products & Programs

 Apr 28th, 2010 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Apr 28th, 2010 at 12:00 AM

During the 2010 National Professional Anglers Association Annual Conference, many of the organization’s supporting partners described their products and programs. These leading fishing tackle and marine manufacturers collectively applauded the NPAA efforts at increasing competitive anglers’ professionalism and helping grow the sport of fishing.

“Most of the development of our products, especially new products originated with the input from tournament walleye anglers,” said Bruce DeShano, Chairman of the Boards and owner of Off-Shore Tackle. Known for in-line trolling boards, but manufacturers of all gear related to freshwater trolling, DeShano, encouraged NPAA members to become familiar with new in-line weights, the exceedingly popular “small” board and diving weights to take lures down. DeShano, a past Lake Erie charter captain and pro angler who now fishes the AIM tour as a co-angler, said, “It’s important for my pro team members to work with local tackle shops and help them sell merchandise. They must also belong to the NPAA.”   www.offshoretackle.com

Michelle Kilburn, manager of tournaments and endorsements for Mercury Marine, said, “”Pro anglers are an extension of our sales force. Competitive angling is very important to our company and our entire sales and marketing team is excited about pro anglers.” Despite considerable internal changes and the impact of the economy on sales, she said, “Mercury is now prepared to weather the storm and staged for future growth. We are also honored to have been a long-term NPAA partner.” Among the newest products she discussed were the non-declining “5-plus Drive” warranty, the big tiller on the 40-hp to 60-hp 4-stroke models (like larger tiller outboards) and the eco-screen gauges.”    www.mercurymarine.com

Joe Carlson, a member of the Ranger sales team, also expressed pride at being affiliated with NPAA, and the significant impact pro anglers make in the marketplace. “Ranger Boats has a new owner, and that information about that is new, but what we’ve been told is that the quality and traditions of this company will never change,” he said. He described the new 2010 Ranger 621 model as the “perfect” rig for tournament anglers.”   www.rangerboats.com

Lund Boats’ Tony Kolker said the company lived through 2009, the toughest year in the marine industry, and now is the time to move forward. “Lund spent considerable money to help and support our dealer network, and they’re poised for success.” Kolker encouraged all NPAA members to work closely with dealers. “Show them you care and help them sell boats,” he urged. Lund will continue to back tournaments and will support the AIM tour specifically, along with 100 individual and circuit tournaments.”   www.lundboats.com

Ken Olson, US manager of the Angler Young Angler tournament series of 30 events in the US described this non-profit organization, “This is one of the best ways to showcase boating and fishing to youngsters. Adults compete with kids, and the excitement builds during rules meetings, the on-water action, the stage-show and the awards ceremonies.” He said Lund Boats and Mercury outboards are the platinum sponsors, although anglers with any boat brands may participate. He said AYA will conduct a perch and eelpout ice fishing competition at Hunter’s Point Resort on the east shore of Mille Lacs March 13.”  www.angleryoungangler.com

To assure a secure future for pro fishermen, Gary Speicher, Financial Planning Services, described the tax advantages of 401K accounts, how anglers might consider converting to Roth IRA accounts, the reasons behind such moves and other tax and “money matters.” As a regular co-angler on tour, Speicher understands the pro fishing business, and offered to assist pro anglers with financial planning advice”   www.preimerinvestmentsofiowa.com

Liddle Marketing Company organizes and hosts on-water fishing and boating events for corporate clients throughout the US. Sonja Pinkert explained that instead of picnics or golf outings, many clients enjoy the fun of being with pro anglers in a real competition. “This helps grow and maximize brand awareness. We customize these events per client and travel anywhere,” she said.  www.liddlemarketing.com

Do-it Corporation, a 50-year old company that began in a garage in Waterloo, Iowa, has expanded significantly. Jerry Van Sickle talked about the wide array of Do-it equipment to help anglers create and customize their own lures at home: molds for jigs and sinkers, unpainted lures, powder paints, UV spray, and hundreds of accessories. “We want to make our products known; NPAA can help. Doc Johnson, long-time touring pro and pro team director talked about how he works with pros throughout the country.  www.do-itfishing.com

Navionics, manufacturers of electronic lake-contour mapping products, continues to expand, according to John Goplin, company representative. “In our business, drastic improvements take place every year and the prices come down. We now offer more lakes per chip at a better rate,” he said. Navionics is adding more HD lakes (one-foot contour increments) and both 2D and 3D lake-bottom views. The new 2010 “north” chip has 144 new HD lakes with 112 in Wisconsin and 32 in Minnesota, but to make the transition easier, the company offers a $50 rebate to upgrade. Massive Fort Peck Reservoir in Montana has been added to the western chip. Navionics is also making micro chips for phones and handheld GPS units.”      www.navionics.com

Northland Fishing Tackle owner John Peterson had fished the pro-side of the PWT for 15 years, but was forced to tend to business that was “growing by leaps and bounds.” Always intent on making a living doing what he enjoyed, Peterson described his 140-employee company and how he expects double and triple digit growth in the next three to five years. John and Brother Duane accepted Lifetime Honorary Membership awards from NPAA at the conference.

He said, “Our terminal tackle is the nuts and bolts of what customers need. Our business has been recession-proof because more people are fishing.” He may get back into tournaments, but the immediate future will include new product direction, including “field” work. New senior marketing and promotion manager Eric Naig said, “Promotional anglers are the backbone in our sphere of influence and they drive our business. The route is from your boats to the grassroots.” He cited sales tie-ins at the retail level as a key to success. He said the marketing team needs two-way communication and requires accountability. “We want to know what pro team members are doing, because their input is very valuable.” He advocated, “Take a new person fishing this year.”  www.northlandtackle.com

John Butts, Fin-tech Fishing Tackle and newly elected president of NPAA said his company is proud to be a part of the organization and seeking pro anglers as pro staff who can help sales at the retail level. “Our products are moving well for such a new company, and we��™re working hard on increased distribution,” he said. Many new fresh and saltwater products are set for introduction in 2010. “We want people to get involved with promotions, seminars, in the media, at fishing clubs, on the internet and at tournaments to excite people about fishing,” he said.”  www.jigfish.com

The new Berkley district sales manager for North and South Dakota, Cody Roswick, former NPAA executive director, said he was confident the NPAA would continue the momentum and growth. He cited the phenomenal acceptance of artificial lures for all species, including walleyes. “The PowerBait and Gulp! product introductions have been aimed at the walleye market, including the new 4-inch Gulp! Crawler due this spring. New Flicker Shad colors, new fishing lines, and many other products will hit the market soon,” he said.     www.purefishing.com

Evinrude Pro and NPAA member Jason Przekurat presented a PowerPoint seminar during the Evinrude breakout session at the conference on the new Evinrude 15HO kicker motor. Jason stated “that these breakout sessions are a great opportunity for the NPAA partners to train their pro-staff members on new product introductions”. He went on to say that “it’s critical that pro-staff members are up to speed on these new products to allow them to answer consumer questions at the upcoming boat shows.” Check out the new Evinrude 15HO on the Evinrude website.”  www.evinrude.com

Optima Batteries is the newest NPAA supporting partner. Sean Freund, representing Optima said, “All members and supporting partners are working for the same goal  ” to increase the popularity and fun of fishing.” He said Optima batteries are an investment that keeps everything in the boat working. “They’re the best at doing that. They’re sealed, and can even be mounted upside down. With a fishing boat that might cost upwards of $50,000, Freund urged conference attendees to rig with the batteries that will give long, dependable service.”  www.optimabatteries.com

Another new member, Frabill, is committed to the future with NPAA, said VP of marketing Jeff Kolodzinski, “Our goal is to get more people fishing and grow the industry. We want to keep the excitement in fishing.” He said Frabill might be known as the “yellow minnow bucket” company, but they sell a wide assortment of tackle, including live bait gathering, carrying and “keeping-alive” products. They also are well known for landing nets, including 258 models and the newest model, the Hiber-net which retracts into the handle. Ice fishing  ” rods and reels, houses and tip-ups — are also a big item. “Our new Aqua-Life bait station keeps minnows separate from lake water, aerates them and addresses new state laws regarding bait and water transportation,” he said.  www.frabill.com

Chad Thompson, owner of Pasha Lake Cabins in Ontario talked about the great access anglers had to world-class fishing including Lake Nipigon and 100 lakes. Their resort is northeast of Thunder Bay, and anglers tow and fish from their own boats, or rent what they need on site. “We want to let people know about this great fishing and what a scenic getaway it can be up north,” he said.    www.pashalake.com

Two tournament organizations, MWC and AIM, described their circuits. FLW director Sonny Reynolds was scheduled to attend, but was bed ridden with pneumonia. Kristine Houtman with the MWC said this was the ninth year with Cabela’s as the title sponsor. The MWC ran the 2009 Cabela’s NTC All American, and will do so again this year on Lake Winnebago. It could set the record for the most teams fishing a tournament.

She said in 2009, the total payout was nearly $600,000, with about one-third of that amount from sponsorship money rather than entry fees. She announced Dan Palmer as the new tournament director. The MWC will conduct three team events in the Central division (Illinois River, Winnebago and Bay de Noc); three in the East division (Detroit River, Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay); three in the west (Mobridge, Devils Lake and Waubay) the same as in 2009. “The MWC has considerable media presence,” she said. That includes website with updates and interviews daily, e-newsletters, online registration, regular news in the largest multi-species fishing magazine, North American Fisherman, and Versus TV with tournament coverage. The MWC entry fee was lowered to $650 this year. Payouts are for each tournament, the top five in team of the year standings in each division and the Championship.   www.masterswalleyecircuit.com

AIM announced their Pro Walleye Series, an International Walleye Championship and the Bay Mills Invitational. The Pro Walleye three-tournament series will be held on Saginaw Bay in conjunction with Bay Fest in Bay City, Michigan; Green Bay as part of the Fire Over the Fox celebration and in Akaska, SD as part of the South Dakota Walleye Classic. “Great fisheries at great times,” Scott Matheson AIM president said. The International Walleye Championship returns to Lake Winnibigoshish. He said, “We were invited back by the for-profit resort owners association. They recognized the impact of a tournament in their community.”

AIM will also hold a Bay Mills Invitational on Lake Superior. This event will be for the top 50 pro anglers who fished in 2009. It will be an invitational with $50,000 added to the normal purse courtesy of the Bay Mills Resort and Casino. “It’s also an artificials-only tournament so manufacturers can create new products that work for walleye anglers,” Matheson said.

“If not for the marketing partners who stepped forward and supported our objectives and for the anglers who fished, we wouldn’t be here talking about year number two,” he said. The Catch, Record and Release format allows anglers to showcase their skills and a lake’s potential. In 2010, the streaming live weigh-in stage shows will be webcast on walleyefirst.com, wired2fish.com and thenextbite.com.-   www.aimfishing.com

The NPAA is a non-profit organization focused on growing the sport of fishing and increasing the professionalism of its members. Its Supporting Partners include: Northland Fishing Tackle, Navionics, Mercury Marine, Evinrude Outboards, Lund Boats, Ranger Boats, Worldwide Marine Underwriters Off-Shore Tackle, Fin-Tech Tackle, Berkley, AIM , Masters Walleye Circuit, FLW Outdoors, Frabill, , Liddle Marketing, FPS Financial Planning Services, Do-it Corp., Optima Batteries, John Butts Outdoors, Pasha Lake Cabins, Oahe Wings and Walleyes Guide Service, and OutdoorFirst Media. More NPAA member and association news can be viewed at   www.npaa.net.

For more information contact: Pat Neu, NPAA Executive Director @920-559-6901