Fishing Industry News: Shimano's New Ice Fishing Gear; Caymus Boat Owner Rewards

In the latest fishing industry news, Shimano introduces new ice fishing gear an Caymus Boats presents its new tournament owner rewards payout format.

Fishing Industry News: Shimano's New Ice Fishing Gear; Caymus Boat Owner Rewards

In the latest fishing industry news:

Caymas, the new bass boat brand headed by marine industry legend Earl Bentz, announces the introduction of its tournament incentive program: Caymas Cash.

Caymas boat owners payouts can reach up to $10,000 per tournament victory.

“Today, most bass boat manufacturers offer a tournament contingency program whereby an angler who wins an event in one of their boats can pocket a cash bonus,” Bentz said. “But our Caymas Cash program raises the bar by paying competitive anglers fishing from a Caymas boats as much as $10,000 for a tournament win. Nobody in the bass boat industry even comes close to that level of cash bonus payout.”

To win $10,000, an angler must win a Caymas Cash Platinum Level tournament in a Caymas bass boat equipped with a 250 HP Yamaha outboard, Bentz said.

Caymas Cash Platinum Level tournaments encompass more than 100 events on 13 different tournament trails supported by Caymas dealers across the Southeastern, Southwestern and Central United States," Bentz said. "If an angler does not place first in a Caymas Cash Platinum Level tournament, then the highest finishing Caymas/Yamaha angler among the Top 25 finishers in a Platinum Level event will win $2,500. Further, in Silver level tournaments Caymas anglers can earn up to $7,000 for a win. We believe these enhanced payouts will prompt serious tournament anglers who are contemplating the purchase of a new bass rig to take a close look at a Caymas boat.”

In addition to promising huge cash bonuses to Caymas owners who win Platinum Level tournaments, the Caymas Cash incentive program rewards Caymas competitors for winning in more than 2,000 additional Silver and Bronze Level sanctioned events. A Silver Level tournament victory can earn a Caymas owner $7,000, while a Bronze Level win pays $500.

For more information on the Caymas Cash contingency program and qualifying tournaments, go to www.caymascash.com.

Shimano Goes Hard on Ice Fishing

Shimano follows the wave it made in 2018 with its next series of ice rods now offered in the new Sedona Ice-Fishing combos.

All matched with proven Sedona spinning reels featuring Shimano’s durable Hagane Gear and Propulsion Line Management System, combos with 500 size reels include those with 24- and 30-inch ultralight power rods, 26-inch light power and 34-inch medium-light versions, and two with 28-inch rods in medium-light power and medium power. Matched with larger capacity Sedona 1000 reels for bigger walleye, northern pike and lake trout action, Sedona ice-combos offered include ones with a 28-inch heavy power rod, a 36-inch medium power, and a 40-inch medium-heavy power rod. All nine combos retail for $99.99 (USD).

On the ultralight, light and medium-light power combos, the Sedona ice rods feature lightweight Zirconia ring guides, while rods offered in medium and medium-heavy power combos have comfortable seamless carbon ring reel seat. All the rods have high-grade AA cork grips.

Along with the new Sedona ice combos, Shimano expands is Convergence ice rod series with five new rods – all in the longer lengths more advanced ice anglers are gravitating too. The new rods include a 30-inch ultralight power, a 34-inch medium-light, a 36-inch medium, a 40-inch medium-heavy, and a 42-inch medium-light. As with the current rods in the series, all ten cork grip rods carry the same blank construction as the open water Convergence rods. All 10 Convergence ice rods retail for $39.99 (USD).

Additionally, Shimano is now offering longer ice rods in its Sienna ice-combo line-up. New combos include a 28-inch ultralight power, a medium-light power 32-inch, a 36-inch medium power, and a 40-inch medium-heavy power. All eight available Sienna ice combos retail for $44.99 (USD).

Cobb Joins Mossy Oak Fishing Team

Two-time Bassmaster Elite Series winner Brandon Cobb has joined the Mossy Oak Fishing Team.

Cobb is qualified for the 2020 Bassmaster Classic. He is a graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology.

"My father and I spent every minute we could in the woods or on the water," he said. "I am grateful that my love for fishing and the outdoors has turned into a successful career. Being raised in the outdoors gave me an appreciation for our natural resources at an early age. Mossy Oak and I share the same goal in introducing as many as possible to hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. I'm honored to represent a company, like Mossy Oak, with the same passion for the outdoors that I have. Mossy Oak is a household name in the outdoor industry and I never dreamed I would be able to play a part of it."

"Brandon has demonstrated incredible skill as an Elite angler and has a bright future ahead of him," said Ben Maki, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Mossy Oak. "He reminds us so much of who we are at Mossy Oak and he exemplifies everything we stand for. We are proud to welcome him as part of the family."

Martens Joins Shimano Pro Staff

Veteran professional angler Aaron Martens will be relying on G. Loomis’ complete line-up of IMX-PRO and NRX bass rods in 2020.

Now competing on the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour, Martens notes that similar to the performance he has with his Shimano Metanium and Stella reels, he’ll be on the water with rods consistent in performance and that can enhance his known natural fishing ability.

“I’ve been a lifetime Shimano reel fan and came to realize I needed that same on-going quality, technology, innovation and performance in my fishing rods,” Martens said. “With the G. Loomis brand being part of Shimano and being aware of how they have taken rod manufacturing to a next level, I had an easy decision once they asked me to fish with all the high-end G. Loomis rods.”

With G. Loomis’ expanding rod line-up for the bass fishing market, "having someone with Aaron’s credentials from both his fishing expertise and tackle knowledge shows bass anglers our commitment to continue to grow the sport,” said Blaine Anderson, field marketing manager for all the Shimano brands, including G. Loomis.

While fishing the technique-specific IMX-PRO, GLX, NRX and Conquest bass rods, Martens will interact with G. Loomis’ product development staff on future rod introductions.

“Knowing the special passion Aaron has for bass fishing and quality tackle, we absolutely will want to rely on his input,” said David Brinkerhoff, rod product engineer at G. Loomis.

Martens will be competing in his second year on the MLF Bass Pro Tour, continuing the successful career he has had fishing on B.A.S.S. Elite Series and FLW Tour. He earned more than $3.8 million tournament bass fishing in the last 20 years.

Rapala New Sponsor for Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing

Rapala will serve as the title sponsor of Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing, which annually draws more than 26,000 enthusiastic fans of competitive bass fishing.

New for 2020, Fantasy Fishing will award more than $90,000 in prizes, offering a much higher chance for players to win prizes at each event. 

“The fans who participate in Fantasy Fishing are highly engaged, and many of them have Rapala-sponsored anglers on their fantasy teams,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S. “We are thrilled to partner with Rapala to offer this knowledgeable audience incredible prize packages designed to help them be more effective anglers on the water.”

Fantasy fishing provides a competitive platform for participants to test their knowledge of professional fishing and prognostication skills to win Rapala gear packages as well as gift cards and more. Participants select their best five-angler team for each of the Bassmaster Elite Series events and Bassmaster Classic, then compete against other players to score the highest number of points. Points are awarded based on each angler’s final standings at the end of an Elite Series event. Every event will feature $2,500 in prizes from Rapala.

B.A.S.S. launched the Fantasy Fishing Challenge in 2008, and is expanding in 2020 to award more prizes to more players. In addition to a grand prize at the end of the season, the Top 20 points leaders in each tournament, as well as Top 5 in the points standings at the end of the season, will win valuable prize packages including Rapala Touch Screen Scales and culling kit, Rapala Performance Tool Combos, Rapala baits, clothing, gift cards, cash prizes and more. The season points champion will win more than $20,000 in gift cards, cash and gear.

Full rules and a description of each prize package can be found at Bassmaster.com/fantasy.

Berkley Expands Cast for Cash Program

Berkley's Cast for Cash will expand in 2020, bringing the successful tournament contingency program to more anglers and more tournament circuits.On the heels of its successful 2019 launch, the Cast for Cast program will add nearly 300 new tournaments across 13 different tournament trails, including bass, walleye and bass kayaking competitions. Cash rewards for semi-professional and loyal weekend tournament anglers will be awarded to the top two finishers at each qualifying tournament. 

To participate, anglers must be a member of the Berkley Cast for Cash program. Memberships for 2020 are $29.99 and come with an exclusive 2020 Berkley Pro Pack valued at $50. The Pro Packs include Berkley hard and soft baits, as well as a 2020 Cast for Cash hat and boat decal.

Prizes ranging from $100 to $1,000, depending on the tournament, will be awarded to the two top finishers at each Berkley Cast for Cash-eligible event, regardless of their place of finish. There is no cap as to how many times someone can win.

"We recognize the passion for tournament fishing and want to do our part to reward anglers who put their trust in the science behind Berkley baits to help them catch more fish," said Jon Schlosser, Berkley VP of Marketing. "We saw success during the 2019 tournament season and, we are excited to expand the program for the 2020 tournament season.”

Partner tournament trails include Alabama Bass Trail, American Bass Anglers, American Bass Association, Bass Champs, BASSMASTER, Best Bass Tournaments, Competitive Sport Fishing League, Fishers of Men, FLW, KBF, Masters Walleye Circuit, AIM Walleye Series, and the Montana Walleye Circuit. A full list of sanctioned tournaments within these trails can be found on the Berkley website. 
 
For more information on the Berkley Cast for Cash bait contingency program, and to become a member, visit www.berkley-fishing.com/CastforCash.




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