B.A.S.S. Announces Partnership with Pure Michigan

[djkimmel]

B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin announced Thursday during the 2014 Bassmaster Classic Media Day that they have entered a multi-year partnership with Pure Michigan. The partnership includes both bass tournaments and conservation.

The first impact of the new partnership is Escanaba, Michigan capturing the Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Championship, Sep 18 - 21, 2014. The first ever AOY Championship will feature the top 50 Elite Series anglers in points at the end of the regular 2014 Elite Series schedule. The tournament will launch out of Little Bay de Noc.

From New Bassmaster Events Slated For 2014 Season "Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship, Sept. 18-21, in Escanaba, Mich., with competition on Bays De Noc, Lake Michigan. The event host is the city of Escanaba, a partner of Pure Michigan, the official tourism and travel organization for the state."

Additional plans are tentative at this time but GreatLakesBass.com talked with one of the three owners of B.A.S.S. Jerry McKinnis, and Angie Thompson, VP, Sponsorship & Events. Mostly likely Michigan will host repeat Elite Series events in the following seasons. Lake St. Clair is one likely location discussed.

As more information becomes available and we are able, we will share it. It was very nice to hear Pure Michigan discussed during Media Day, AND Bruce Akin also talked about B.A.S.S. excitement about the the new state deal with Michigan including many other possible future benefits and results during his presentation to the 2014 Conservation Summit participants Friday morning. Michigan is one of only four states that B.A.S.S. has a state-level agreement with - the other three being Alabama, Arkansas and New York.

[mikesmiph]

That sounds like so very good news. I don't see any  bad coming from this, only good. Thanks for reporting from down there in the warmth Dan.

[TimH]

Outstanding news!  Thanks for sharing this Dan, it has truly made my day.  Looks like its time to plan a trip to Escanaba...can't wait!!!

[Waterfoul]

Question is.... will they be fisning in Escanaba by the moonlight??

[Slipkey]

Nice!  Should be a slugfest up there at that time of year.

[dartag]

Thats Big water up there.  Lots of long runs to make out around Washington Island. 

[djkimmel]

Question is.... will they be fisning in Escanaba by the moonlight??

No... they never launch before 1st light.

[djkimmel]

Thats Big water up there.  Lots of long runs to make out around Washington Island. 

You watch. Someone will come up with something the others didn't think of to win this.

[djkimmel]

Michigan was brought every day in meetings by numerous people. Pretty cool to finally be getting the attention our amazing bass fisheries deserve! More to come...

[MSURoss]

Excellent news!!

[Slipkey]

I hope they get a good turnout.  I fished an Everstart up there in '05 and the crowd at the weigh-in was tiny.      With these big names, it might draw some crowds from Green Bay and Appleton, though.

[djkimmel]

Top level events like the Bassmaster Elite Series will draw a lot more than any of the mid-level series. Always a good tie-in to have famous Michigan bass pros fishing anywhere in Michigan too.

Bassmaster does have a great communication network to get the word out to more people. Bassmaster.com is the biggest fishing website. The recent Bassmaster Classic had the biggest and broadest press turnout I've ever personally seen at a bass tournament. I'm hoping added to that will be more direct promotion of bass fishing and fishing through Pure Michigan, which has a significant advertising and PR budget.

Typically, the Bassmasters draw much bigger crowds in non-metropolitan areas too. The weather will play some part but I'm already putting in calls for a week of nice weather

Some of it will be up to anglers like us to pass the word along and support these types of events. I personally always try to get more and bigger events for Michigan, including getting more people (even non-bass anglers) to participate and spectate, because it's good for Michigan and bass fishing in so many ways we need.

'More' in that last sentence includes Bassmaster Opens, Everstarts, PAA, anything not as well-known as Elite Series and FLW Tour. I'm interested in having any of them in Michigan!

[todd postill]

awesome escanaba has some monster fish it was a great location for bass nation state fish off last year. cant wait to see what the pros can do out there.road trip