Fishing Industry News: Precht Retires at BASS; Klutch Teams With Contender

In the latest fishing industry news, Dave Precht is retiring after 40 years at B.A.S.S. and Klutch has partnered with Contender for designs on its comfortable performance apparel.

Fishing Industry News: Precht Retires at BASS; Klutch Teams With Contender

Here is some of the latest fishing industry news:

Dave Precht will will retire at the end of July, capping a storied 40-year career with the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society.

Precht joined B.A.S.S. in 1979, first as editor for Southern Outdoors magazine for five years and then as editor of Bassmaster magazine in 1984. He replaced Bob Cobb, the first editor of Bassmaster; both had prior history as newspaper outdoors writers, Precht in Houston and Cobb in Oklahoma.

The news of the upcoming retirement was first reported by Frank Sargent in The Fishing Wire. Sargent wrote: "Precht used the magazine to promote boating safety, conservation, sportfishing ethics and bass fishing as a family activity. As B.A.S.S. evolved, Dave’s knowledge of the sport, company and industry helped move the organization forward with focus and perspective."

Precht currently is Vice President of Publications and Communications.

“We obviously know the incredible impact Dave has had on B.A.S.S., but his positive influence on the bass fishing industry has been celebrated, as well," Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S, told The Fishing Wire. "He was inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2011. And in 2018, Dave was inducted into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, as well as the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame. Dave came to B.A.S.S. because of his passion for bass fishing, and now he will have plenty of time to spend on the water. The rest of his time will likely be spent chasing grandchildren."

Klutch Features Contender Designs on Performance Shirts

Kluch's custom designs for its Contender Florida 39 performance long sleeve tee draw inspiration from Contender's preeminent line of fishing vessels to provide comfort and style whether you're on the boat fishing or at the dock relaxing.

The Florida 39' pays homage to one of the most iconic center console. The sleek vessel in the graphic also features the Sunshine State's flag. The "Sick Day" performance tee tells everyone what you did on your unexpected day off, so don't wear it around the office, or you might have to answer to HR.

Available in small to 3XL, the tees retail for $40.

Klutch's Contender and Sick Day tees have 100 percent polyester construction, long sleeves to protect your arms, built-in SPF protection and are available in sizes small to 3XL. They retail for $40.

Yamaha Pledges $500K Grants for Outdoor Recreation

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, is pledging up to $500,000 in Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) grant funds for 2019 to support ventures protecting outdoor recreation.

Yamaha is actively seeking organizations who can utilize the available funds, and encourages interested parties to learn more about the program at YamahaOAI.com.

As part of this effort, Yamaha awarded more than $130,000 in funding and equipment to 13 organizations in the current funding cycle, including Wonders of Wildlife’s National Hunting and Fishing Day and various 4-H Foundation chapters, to support efforts protecting and improving access to public land, and educating the public on its safe, sustainable recreational use by all.

“The government shutdown earlier this year put admittance to many public lands and recreational opportunities further at risk, yet thanks to the incredible support of grassroots organizations across the country, many of these properties have remained open for everyone to enjoy,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha motorsports group marketing manager. “The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative has been committed to supporting and protecting outdoor recreation for over a decade by providing resources to make a difference in the quality and sustainability of access to our nation’s public land.”

For more than 10 years, the Yamaha OAI program has contributed nearly $4 million in funding and equipment to more than 300 deserving grant recipients across the country. Yamaha continues to seek out OAI grant recipients for projects from ATV, Side-by-Side, motorcycle, snowmobile, and outdoor enthusiasts and associations – all of whom share the common need for land access to enjoy their lifestyle. Projects receiving grants often have a strong stewardship component, as well as an inclusive community of users working together, ensuring all types of outdoor recreationists can enter public land sustainably and safely.

The following grant recipients received funding this past cycle to organize projects including trail construction and maintenance, the building of public restrooms and outdoor facilities, off-road riding safety courses, and national events to encourage and support outdoor recreation. The latest Yamaha OAI grant recipients are:

  • Marion County 4H Association – Ocala, Florida
  • Mississippi State University Extension 4-H – Mississippi State, Mississippi
  • National Hunting and Fishing Day
  • Off-Road Riders Association, Black Hills National Forest – Rapid City, South Dakota
  • Oregon Department of Forestry, Tillamook State Forest – Tillamook, Oregon
  • Over the Hills Gang ATV Club – Outing, Minnesota
  • Schoolcraft County Motorized Trail Association – Manistique, Michigan
  • Southern Trail Advocates and Riders – Jamestown, South Carolina
  • Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation – Columbus, Ohio
  • Stillwater Trail Riders – Stillwater, Oklahoma
  • Toledo Trail Riders – Swanton, Ohio
  • Yakima Valley Dust Dodgers Motorcycle Club – Yakima, Washington
  • Your Forests Your Future/Salmon Valley Stewardship – Jackson, Wyoming

For further information on Yamaha’s Outdoor Access Initiative program, or to submit a grant application, visit YamahaOAI.com.

IGFA Seeks Executive Director

The International Game Fish Association is searching for an Executive Director to manage the day-to-day operations.

“As we continue to implement our new three-year strategy, we believe the time is right to add new management capability and capacity at the senior staff level,” said IGFA Chairman Charles W. Duncan III. “In this new role, the Executive Director will focus primarily on managing the internal operations of the organization, which will allow IGFA President Nehl Horton to spend more time focused on our external constituents, including donors, corporate partners and IGFA representatives and members around the world.”

Reporting to the IGFA President, the Executive Director will be responsible for the association’s ongoing operations, including developing and funding programs and initiatives that advance the IGFA’s vision and mission. The Executive Director will oversee the IGFA’s senior staff, facilitate the execution the IGFA’s comprehensive business strategy across all departments, and be accountable for the market positioning, organizational health, financial security and technological readiness of the IGFA.

See the full job description at https://igfa.org/careers/

Rapala Sponsors BPS Collegiate Bass Fishing Series

Rapala will sponsor the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series and become title sponsor of the Rapala #WeAreCollegiateBass Podcast.

This weekly podcast is designed to highlight top anglers and teams, and provide the latest news from both the tournament scene and fishing industry. Included in this coverage are weekly updates to the race for Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.

The #WeAreCollegiateBass Podcast is available on SpotifyGoogle Play, and iTunes. You can also visit the Collegiate Bass site to listen to each episode.

Muzzy Classic Bowfishing Titles Awarded in Kentucky

A record 93 boats were registered for the 2019 Muzzy Bowfishing Classic, With "Team Mountain Men" winning first place in the Big 20 and Largest Silver Carp categories.

Competitors from across the country descended on Lee S. Jones Park in Eddyville, Ky., to bowfish Kentucky and Barkley Lakes and the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. The Classic was held July 12-14.

More than 14,000 pounds of rough fish were weighed in just as part of the Big 20 category, with all fish brought to the scales donated to a local pet food processing facility. Team Mountain Men won with 519.35 pounds for the Big 20 and 23 pounds for the Silver Carp titles.

To see the full list of results visit www.feradyne.com/muzzy-bowfishing/



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