Here is some of the latest fishing industry news:
Bringing a background in hard and soft goods from the sporting goods and outdoor industries, Jim Lupinski joins Shimano North American Fishing as its new senior sales manager.
Previously with The Life is Good Company where he served as national sales manager, Lupinski also has experience as a store buyer, and as a senior account rep and a Northeast regional sales manager with other leading outdoor clothing companies for nearly 20 years.
“Jim’s sales and sales management skills, and his deep experience with CRM implementation will benefit our current efforts at Shimano,” said Shimano North American Fishing, Inc. president Dave Pfeiffer. “We look forward to having his abilities contributing to the success of the Shimano fishing brands.”
Growing up in central New York where a stream running near his house sparked his interest in fishing, Lupinski is relocating to Shimano’s Ladson, S.C. offices from his current home in Westminster, Mass.
Lowen To Represent Mammoth Coolers
Professional angler Bill Lowen of Ohio has signed a sponsorship agreement with Mammoth Coolers, a leading provider of premium rotomolded and soft sided coolers, drinkware, and accessories.
Lowen competes in the Bassmaster Elite Series. He has earned nine Bassmaster Classic appearances and 18 Top 10 finishes. Lowen grew up fishing on the Ohio River near the Cincinnati, and is known for his affinity as a "river rat" to ply shallow waters with crankbaits and jigs.
“Having worked with Bill Lowen in the past and knowing how hard a worker he is it was a natural for him to be our first sponsored angler," said Bob George, Director of Marketing for Mammoth Coolers. "Bill is absolutely one of the best brand ambassadors I have ever worked with in any category. Most importantly Bill is a family man; his wife, Jennifer, and children, Nevaeh and Fischer, travel by camper with him everywhere. The fact they are avid campers will only enhance our ability to improve and develop more intriguing products for that market in addition to the fishing industry.”
Lowen's other sponsors include Xpress Boats, Mossy Oak Fishing, Yamaha, Lew’s, Strike King and Buck Knives.
Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament Going to Pickwick Lake
The 8th Annual Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners event, set for Oct. 26-27, will be held on Pickwick Lake and based in Florence, Ala.
The weekend will kick off Oct. 26 with a registration meeting and free dinner where Team Toyota pro anglers will be on hand to greet guests and talk fishing. B.A.S.S. tournament staff will conduct the tournament and be onsite Saturday afternoon as well for angler registration. Launch and weigh-in will take place Oct. 27 at McFarland Park.
The top 30 teams in the tournament are guaranteed a paycheck. A free gift bag will be given to the first 200 anglers to sign up for the tournament. Participating teams are required to pre-register by Oct. 18.
Only one of the team members must be registered in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program to be eligible to compete. Bassmaster Elite Series, MLF, and FLW Tour pros are not eligible.
Participants are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible, as space is limited. To register, visit ToyotaFishing.com, call the Toyota Bonus Bucks Headquarters at (918) 742-6424 or email to bonusbucks@dynamicsponsorships.com.
NMMA President-elect Reaches Out To Membership
The new president-elect of the National Marine Manufacturers Association addressed members through a letter to members saying "it is a privilege to join NMMA."
Frank Hugelmeyer, who officially joined the organization July 15, brings a wealth of work experience in outdoor and sporting goods retail, manufacturing and association management (Outdoor Industry Association and Recreation Vehicle Industry Association).
He said running a great trade association is about creating indispensable value for members.
"I manage trade associations much like a public company," he said. "Members are the shareholder/owners and it is the job of management to raise the total market cap of the industry, generate greater return for members, and leave the organization in better shape than inherited."
Hugelmeyer said his primary goal in the coming months is to integrate into the NMMA culture and work to maintain the momentum.
"Leading up to Oct. 1 as I prepare to formally assume the helm, I look forward to speaking with as many members as possible to learn about the 'burning issues' impacting your operation. If the association can continue to address the critical issues keeping you awake at night, your value in NMMA will only grow."
Hugelmeyer has an interest and background in recreational boating. He grew up on Long Island, N.Y., and as a child camped every summer at Fire Island on his family's 28-foot Seabird, which was purchased at the New York Boat Show.
Docked alongside their beloved sportfishing boat, he said, was an extended family armada owned by grandparents, uncles and cousins that included a Chris-Craft, Pembroke, Egg Harbor, Hatteras, Robalo, and Cobia.
"Spending time on the water has been a cherished family tradition and that commitment to the boating lifestyle continues to this day," Hugelmeyer said.
Alewife Numbers Decline on Lake Ontario
Results from extensive spring surveying show alewife numbers in decline on Lake Ontario compared to 2018.
The preliminary results of the spring 2019 Lake Ontario Alewife Bottom Trawl Survey, conducted annually by the U.S. Geological Survey, DEC and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, are now available (PDF).
The 2019 alewife survey was the most extensive fish survey ever conducted on Lake Ontario with 252 bottom trawls in the main lake and embayments at depths from 16.5 to 742 feet. Alewife are a key forage species for multiple predators.
Results of the survey indicate the biomass indices for adult (age 2 and older) yearling (age 1) alewife declined relative to 2018. Public meetings will be held later this year to discuss alewife population status and information on Chinook salmon growth and condition.
