December 23, 2019
Rapala Signs As Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing Title Sponsor
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Rapala, maker of premium lures and other fishing tackle and accessories, 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 the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, 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, and every event will feature $2,500 in prizes from Rapala.
As title sponsor of Fantasy Fishing, Rapala will enjoy extensive exposure during tournament coverage, when fans tune into Bassmaster LIVE to follow their fantasy team anglers, as well as across Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times magazines and various social media channels.
“With such an impressive audience watching Bassmaster LIVE throughout every tournament, Rapala is excited to help bring the Fantasy Fishing game to a whole new level of engagement,” said Matt Jensen, Rapala Director of Marketing. “Playing the game and following more anglers makes every tournament more intense, and that is why Rapala is giving away $25,000 in prizes this year and awarding 20 fans every Elite Tournament. It’s going to be fun!”
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 an exciting 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 over $20,000 in gift cards, cash and gear.
Full rules and a description of each prize package can be found at Bassmaster.com/fantasy.
In addition to serving as title sponsor for Fantasy Fishing, Rapala will be a Supporting Sponsor for the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship and the grass-roots TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation regional and championship tournaments.
Registration for the 2020 competition opens Jan. 6, 2020. For more information on Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing, visit Bassmaster.com/fantasy.
About Rapala
Rapala was unofficially founded in 1936 when Lauri Rapala invented the Rapala fishing lure. Rapala has grown from humble beginnings to become a market leader in the fishing tackle industry. The brand’s functionality and high quality are known by fishermen worldwide. Rapala maintains its strict standards of craftsmanship while delivering its fishing products to anglers in more than 130 countries. For more information on Rapala, please visit www.rapala.com.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 510,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2 and The Pursuit Channel), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, new Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.