January 4, 2024
Rapala extends premier sponsorship with B.A.S.S. through 2026
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Rapala, a Minnesota-based company and one of the world’s foremost makers of premium lures, terminal tackle and fishing accessories, has extended its premier sponsorship of B.A.S.S., signing a new three-year deal through 2026.
In addition to continuing to serve as the title sponsor of the mega-popular Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing program as it has for the past four years, Rapala will continue its sponsorship of the Monster Bag contingency, which pays $2,000 to the angler with the heaviest single-day bag during all regular-season Bassmaster Elite Series events and $7,000 for the same feat during the Bassmaster Classic.
“We’ve had a fantastic partnership with Rapala for several years that just keeps evolving,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “Their involvement with Fantasy Fishing and the Monster Bag award — and really their participation at all levels of B.A.S.S. — has been mutually beneficial for both companies and for the sport in general.”
The Monster Bag contingency, which has been named after Rapala’s popular VMC line of hooks in the past, will now be called the “Rapala CrushCity Monster Bag” after a new line of Rapala soft plastics that includes baits like the Ned BLT, the Cleanup Craw, the Bronco Bug and The Mayor.
The new plastics, along with stalwart hard baits like the DT Series crankbaits and the Original Floating Minnow, make Rapala one of the more well-rounded bait companies in the world.
“Rapala is investing heavily into product innovation for both hard baits and soft baits for tournament anglers,” said Matt Jensen, vice president of marketing for Rapala. “With the launch of CrushCity, we couldn’t be more excited for our newly renewed contract with B.A.S.S. and all the new promotions that come with it. Rapala and Bassmaster have put together a super-fun program to promote our highest level of products and to introduce all anglers to the excitement around CrushCity!”
Rapala will be a premier sponsor for the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship and the grass-roots Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance and championship tournaments.
The company will be highlighted during Bassmaster LIVE, which will be streamed daily this year during the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Elite Series events and Bassmaster Opens on Bassmaster.com and broadcast Saturday and Sunday mornings on the FOX Sports platforms. Rapala will also enjoy exposure in Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times magazines and across B.A.S.S.’s industry-leading social media platforms.
With the 2024 Elite Series season set to begin Feb. 22 at Toledo Bend Reservoir in Many, La., registration is already open for Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing at Bassmasterfantasy.com. Throughout the season, the winner of each individual tournament will receive a prize package that is worth $4,000 or $4,500 depending on whether the winner is a B.A.S.S. member. The grand prize winner will take home a $15,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card, $5,000 cash, a Rapala prize package and a trip package to the 2025 Bassmaster Classic.