During the recent ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) Show in Orlando, Florida, an unsuspecting and very deserving angler/mentor was given a complete overhaul to his aging Skeeter bass boat. Desert Storm veteran and youth fishing mentor David Lowrie was asked to attend ICAST on July 11 to speak about youth fishing. And while that important topic was discussed when Lowrie was announced in the Humminbird/Minn Kota booth with cameras rolling, it soon became apparent he was being honored for his longtime commitment to youth anglers.

Lowrie is a veteran of the U.S. Army and has spent the last three years as the youth director for the Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation High School/Youth. The youth program was struggling three years ago with only 200 members until Lowrie took over, and he was able to make it one of the best and biggest youth programs in the country with more than 1,400 young anglers. Lowrie serves as a high school boat captain and is passionate about putting kids on the water and helping them to become better anglers. He has also dedicated himself and his 2006 Skeeter bass boat to helping his grown son Hank pursue his bass tournament fishing dreams.

The ICAST bass boat overhaul took place in a large workspace adjacent to the Humminbird and Minn Kota booths. Beginning a couple days prior to the reveal, workers expertly rigged Lowrie’s Skeeter. Just about everything was replaced except the Evinrude outboard and Skeeter hull, seats and carpet. Click here to see a 30-second Facebook clip from Kevin VanDam as he summarizes Lowrie’s near gear. Be sure to turn up the volume on the video to hear Kevin’s commentary.

The biggest upgrades included: Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor, Minn Kota on-board Precision charger, two Minn Kota Talons, two Humminbird Solix 15 fishfinders, Humminbird 360 and LakeMaster mapping. Other sponsors and partners in this ICAST surprise included: Abu Garcia, Bass Mafia, Battle Born Batteries, BOSCH, JL Audio, Costa Sunglasses, Hot Foot, Hydrowave, JL Audio, Onyx, Rigid Industries, Simms, Tackle Titan and TH Marine.

Facebook post from David Lowrie after receiving his ICAST surprise: Never be afraid to shed tears of joy. Never be afraid to be thankful. And never doubt that when you're down and stressed and struggling that God knows when to find some way to pick you up. I've had a rough few months and some really nice people who didn't know any of that showed up to wash all the stress away. God bless everyone at Minn Kota, Humminbird and all the other people and companies involved with a moment that will mark me for the rest of my life.

“We are so thrilled with the outcome of the one-boat network live build here at ICAST,” said Joe Brown, senior director of brand management for Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics. “Not only were we able to demonstrate the live installation of the best Minn Kota and Humminbird technologies, but we were able to award the final product to a very deserving member of our fishing community – David Lowrie. We look forward to having David, his son and the youth anglers he captains using our products on the water to make more fishing memories.” The one-boat network Brown references is an integrated system that unlocks communication opportunities between Minn Kota and Humminbird products, including Talon shallow-water anchors, to help anglers find, stay on and catch fish. 

If you’re wondering how the team at Humminbird and Minn Kota were able to “steal” Lowrie’s Skeeter for a few days without him knowing, Lowrie stores his boat at his son’s house, and his son was in on the surprise from the very beginning.

“I'm absolutely just blown away by the fact I was chosen for this,” said David Lowrie. “I don’t know that I feel worthy, but I feel awfully blessed. The stuff that was on my boat was a lot older. I had coveted  Minn Kota Spot-Lock for a long time, and you know, it just wasn't in the budget because I focus on other things. I focus on the kids and the state program – I don't focus on me that much. I’m going to be able to take the kids out on an improved boat and improve their chances of catching fish. All the sponsors that had a hand in this – I just can't thank them enough. It's an unbelievable blessing.” In addition to receiving the surprise boat overhaul, Lowrie spent the last day of ICAST (July 12) on nearby Lake Toho learning the ins and outs of his new equipment with Minn Kota and Humminbird professional anglers Brandon Palaniuk and Chris Zaldain.

Professional bass angler Chis Zaldain guides David Lowrie on Lake Toho in Lowrie’s newly overhauled Skeeter.

“As professional anglers, we sometimes take for granted the amazing equipment and technology we get to use every day,” Zaldain said. “I was happy to be able to teach David how to use the one-boat network products and show him the advantage that a connected boat can provide to all anglers. David is a great guy, and I know he will take what he learned here today, and teach it to the youth in his local B.A.S.S. chapter ensuring the next generation of anglers gets to experience the very best products out there.”

After trailering the Skeeter home to Tennessee, David’s son Hank checks out the boat’s new Humminbird Solex 15 on the console.