Fishing Industry News: Gill Adds to Prostaff; Lane Joins Frogg Toggs

In the latest fishing industry news, Gill has added Alabama pro bass angler Scott Canterbury and four others to its prostaff while Florida veteran Bobby Lane joins the team at Frogg Toggs.

Fishing Industry News: Gill Adds to Prostaff; Lane Joins Frogg Toggs

In the latest fishing industry news:

Apparel manufacturer Gill has added five professional bass anglers to its prostaff including Scott Canterbury of Alabama, the 2019 BASS Angler of the Year.

"Scott is new to our family, but we know we have added a very hard-working, consistent angler," said Gill pro staff manager Betsy Steele. "He is a seasoned veteran of the sport and we look forward to watching Scott on the water in 2020."

Gill will be the title sponsor for Bassmaster Elite Series pro Luke Palmer in 2020, and has added fellow Elite Series pros Jason Williamson, Derek Hudnall and Qeuntin Cappo to its team.

Steele said Palmer has a strong work ethic.

"He's always willing to help with product development, social media exposure and truly anything we need from him," she said.

Bobby Lane Joins frogg toggs Prostaff

Veteran professional angler Bobby Lane of Florida, who competes on the Major League Fishing circuit, has joined the frogg toggs prostaff team.

As an ambassador to the brand, Lane will field test and utilize frogg toggs products applicable to his activities and to increase his success as a professional angler.

Lane was the 2017 MLF General Tire World Championship winner. Lane has five wins and is just shy of $2 million in career winnings to his credit. Others on the frogg toggs prostaff include Lane's brother, Chris Lane, along with Andy Morgan, Keith Poche, Rob Arrington, David Mullins, Jay Kendrick, Phil Broussard, Rusty Creasey, and Duck Commander members including John Godwin and Justin Martin.

“With our prostaff team, we want to work with people who are out there on a daily basis and Bobby is a perfect match for what we are trying to accomplish,” said Will Fowler, president and director of marketing for frogg toggs. “He has been an avid supporter of frogg toggs and I’m excited that we were able to bring him on board in an official capacity.”

Lane announced his partnership with frogg toggs during a Facebook Live event with his fans on Tuesday, November 12. During the live recording, Lane announced that customers will have access to a 20 percent off promo code (BLANE20) in celebration of his addition to the team.

Shimano, G.Loomis Offer Limited Rod-Reel Combo 

For the first time in the 20-plus years G. Loomis Rods has been part of Shimano, bass anglers are being offered a limited-edition combo now available from select tackle shops nationwide.

The combo matches Shimano’s high-performance Bantam MGL reels with a special model G. Loomis IMX-PRO 863C JWR rod — normally a combined $675.99 value, for the special price of $499.99.

“This is a great opportunity for those anglers who want to experience bass fishing at a higher level, with what many consider one of the best reels and best rods available,” said Trey Epich with Shimano’s product development staff. “We take great pride in the Bantam MGL as one of our legacy reels, and the IMX-PRO rod showcases the advancements in G. Loomis’ rod manufacturing that have happened since Shimano’s ownership role starting in 1997.”

The low-profile Bantam MGL reels are offered within the combo in three different gear ratio models in either right- or left-hand retrieve. The reels feature Shimano’s ‘CoreSolid Body’ design providing rigid, solid and sensitive performance, while the super-light MGL spool allows added casting distance, even with lighter lures, along with smoother flipping and pitching.

Designed within its extensive IMX-PRO line-up, the versatile 7-foot-2-inch medium-heavy power IMX-PRO 863C JWR is ideal for a wide range of bass fishing applications. The rod relies on G. Loomis’ proprietary Multi-Taper Design blank construction, tangle-free Fuji K-Frame guides to help with slackline techniques, and a tapered full cork rear grip that gives the split-grip feel many bass anglers favor.

Only a limited number of these special baitcasting combos are available. For the tackle shop locations offering the Bantam MGL/IMX-PRO baitcasting combo, visit BANTAM MGL/IMX-PRO 863C Limited Edition Combo.

Major League Fishing Closes Deal to Purchase Fishing League Worldwide

Major League Fishing has finalized its  acquisition of Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) as it incorporates the legendary fishing organization into its growing organization.

Fishing League Worldwide was purchased in the 1990s by Irwin Jacobs from its founder, Mike Whitaker of Kentucky. In the 1970s Whitaker created Operation Bass, a grassroots fishing tournament organization that spread like wildfire as bass fishing grew throughout the country. But it was primarily in the Southeast where Operation Bass grew, as anglers competed for division titles to earn a chance at the All-American championship. Long a pinnacle of the blue collar working-man angler ranks, the championship vaulted many of its winners to  the Bassmaster Tour, then the only major profesional tour.

After Jacobs purchased Operation Bass and renamed it, the FLW Tour was born. With a new format, more money, exposure and added opportunities on it and lower-tier circuits in the FLW organization, the late 1990s and 2000s were a boom time in professional angling. 

Major League Fishing was born in 2011 and has grown since then. The addition of the FLW brand, tournaments, history, media and opportunities from weekend to touring pro tournament circuits bolsters the unique MLF format. The acquisition combines the league behind the no-entry-fee Bass Pro Tour and the largest grassroots organization in the world.

The newly created entity  is called MLFLW, LLC and is owned 100 percent by Major League Fishing, LLC, which in turn is owned 50 perxent by The Outdoor Channel, Inc., and 50 percent by Pro Bass Tour (PBT).

MLF previously announced an expanded 2020 schedule for the FLW Series and Bass Fishing League (BFL), including reduced entry fees for both. The FLW Pro Circuit (formerly FLW Tour) will include expanded media coverage along with offering anglers a path to the Bass Pro Tour.



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