DUO Co. Ltd., one of Japan’s top brands of premium hard baits, is announcing their entry into the US and Canadian tournament bass market.

Bringing you the highest in Japanese quality, the Realis line, was built to provide bass anglers with a new sense to fishing. Realis baits are tournament ready straight from the package featuring realistic design, flawless finishes and tuning perfection.

Headed by one of the world’s best Japanese lure designers, Masahiro Adachi, DUO is a company of impeccable quality, incredible innovation, and a mindset of forward thinking. Adachi’s dedication is obvious in every one of his creations.

Mr. Matsushita and Mr. Adachi established DUO Japan in 1995. The gifted duo began their journey with a philosophy to provide “a total package” in premium baits, paying special attention to detail, sacrificing nothing in quality, form, function, and value, while giving the angler a complete experience.

“The most important thing I can attest to is the unprecedented precision that goes into each one of our lures. Many companies are simply ‘brand houses’, outsourcing their manufacturing. DUO prides itself on being one of the last companies in Japan to possess, develop, produce, quality control and package in-house. Through this efficiency, DUO is able to provide the market excellence at a reasonable cost”, emphasizes Mr. Bakos, DUO`s international manager.

DUO Co. Ltd.’s direct, yet unique, approach to North America’s market will bring several advantages;

“The main merit is mobility in terms of pricing and flexibility in marketing. By managing production ratios we are able to provide a value that will allow the bass angler to seriously consider our high quality lures. Keeping everything in-house and remaining efficient allows us to support our retailer with expedited shipping as if products were stocked in the US, not mentioning the generous built-in margin. The Realis line (designed for tournament angling) presently features ten baits, including the globally acclaimed Pencil 110, Jerkbait120SP and Popper 64. Beginning in 2013, the Realis line up will be strengthened by the long awaited Jerkbait100SP, Crank 65 8A/11A and Pencil 85.We are very excited for what will follow. DUO is well aware of the high level a tournament angler must perform and our Realis line is specifically geared for this approach”, says Mr. Bakos.

Realis and other fine DUO products can be seen at www.duo-inc.co.jp/en and www.duo-intl.jp/en. For dealer and mass merchant inquiries, please contact martin@duo-inc.co.jp.

Bradley Roy of Lancaster, Kentucky has locked in the top spot on Taylor Man’s Custom Lures Pro Angler roster for 2013. Roy, now in his fourth year of Elite Series competition, was the youngest angler ever to have competed at the Elite level, claiming the Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year title in 2010.

Roy said, “I’ve relied on Taylor Man’s Custom Lures for years, so I’m tickled to work with them again this season.  They are always looking for new ways to help fishermen catch more fish on jigs and wire baits.”

Roy advised Taylor Man’s on its 2013 wire bait and jig prey-inspired color patterns. He said, “Each aspect of Taylor Man’s jigs and wire baits is first class. The nature-inspired color patterns we’re developing really draw more strikes. From wide gap Gamakatsu hooks to wire-wrapped silicone collars and bio-flex and living rubber skirts—everything about these lures is perfect.”

Taylor Man’s Custom Lures president James Huskey said he sponsors Roy not only for his fishing skills but also for his character and honesty. “Bradley consistently produces on the water and tournament anglers pay attention to what he’s using. He absolutely refuses to use a jig or wire bait if it’s not the right tool for the job, and we're honored that he has used Taylor Man’s since his first-ever Elite Series event.”

Taylor Man’s always has new products under development which can be seen at www.tmclures.com and on their Facebook page - www.facebook.com/tmclures.

Taylor Man’s Custom Lures manufactures and sales premium, high-performance fishing lures. Their jigs, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, are made in America’s heartland, were conceived on the lakes and reservoirs of North Carolina and have been honed and tournament-tested on lakes and rivers around the world. Learn more about Taylor Man’s Custom Lures at www.tmclures.com or call 336-669-5395.

Bradley Roy is the youngest angler ever to compete at the Elite Series level.  Follow him through his website, www.BradleyRoy.com, and at www.facebook.com/ProBradleyRoy.

Innovative graphite rod manufacturer, CastAway Graphite Rods, has once again added to its impressive stable of sponsored tournament anglers with the recent signing of B.A.S.S. Elite Series competitor Bill Lowen. 

This Brookville, IN-based fishing pro has been on a hot streak lately, finishing 9^th in the 2012 B.A.S.S Angler of the Year standings and punching a ticket for his 5^th trip to the Bassmaster Classic this February.  The 38-year-old Lowen has 10 Top 10 finishes under his belt and has collected more than $631,000 in earnings from B.A.S.S. events. Lowen’s nine-year professional fishing career has been a model of consistency.  Over the course of 76 B.A.S.S. events, he has finished in the money 52 times and weighed in more than 2,700 pounds of bass.  A true outdoorsman, this father of two loves to spend time hunting waterfowl, deer and turkey when he isn’t fishing.

 Both Lowen and CastAway are looking forward to working together in the coming year.  “I looked at every rod company in the market, compared price points to quality and found the best fit with CastAway.” said Lowen.  “I really feel like I can promote Castaway because the real fisherman out there can afford these rods but not sacrifice quality and feel.  Sometimes you just know when a rod feels right and these are perfect.”  Bill concluded by saying, “These guys have been around forever…that certainly gives me some confidence.  Like so many others, I used to fish CastAway rods back in the day and I’m really glad to see that they are back!”

“We’ve been following Bill’s career for some time, and I am really pleased to have him join our team,” said CastAway’s Adam Murray.  “I know we will both benefit from working together.   Our lightweight yet powerful rods will play an important role in Bill’s success during this coming season, starting with his shot at fishing’s biggest prize in February.  At the same time, we believe Bill is truly a rising star in the angling world and we know he’ll help bring a lot of attention to CastAway Rods,” added Murray.

CastAway Graphite Rods opened its doors in 1986.  With over two decades of experience and a highly positive reputation in the industry, CastAway has always been on the cutting edge with new fishing rod technology that is lighter, more sensitive, and more durable while still maintaining a good value for anglers.  CastAway rods are built using specially balanced, action-specific blanks finished with the finest components.  Each rod is crafted with the utmost attention to detail normally reserved for expensive custom rods but priced to put professional quality, feel and performance in reach of anglers everywhere.

To follow Bill Lowen on the 2013 B.A.S.S. tournament trail, www.billlowen.com. To learn more about the entire CastAway line of premium quality graphite rods for fresh and saltwater fishing — contact Castaway Graphite Rods, 118 Cape Conroe Drive, Montgomery, TX 77356.  Telephone: (936) 582-1677 • Or visit www.CastAwayRods.com.

Brandon Card, 2012 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year, signs a co-title sponsorship deal with Floatback Lures.  Floatback Lures is a new hardbait company out of South Africa that is bringing baits to the market unlike any other, using transformational technology.  "We are very pleased to be working with Brandon and we hope that with our help, he will continue to build on what he did in his incredible break out season last year, said Anthony Stone," CEO of Floatback Lures. 

Floatback's patented hardbaits are the industry's first "line-through" hardbaits, where fishing line goes directly through the bait and is tied to the treble hooks.  The design prevents bass from leveraging the weight of the lure to throw the bait, as the lure slides up the line while fighting a fish.  Floatback's lures are also designed to be retrieved after getting hung.  "The hooks get hung, you break the line, and the lure floats back up.  You get the lure back and all you loose is a few hooks," said Anthony.  Floatback will be releasing one bait every few months, with the first being a deep diving crankbait (FB 10/25) that will be available shortly after the Bassmaster Classic. 

"I am honored to be working with an innovative company like Floatback, and very excited to be the first angler in the US to have my hands on the FB 10/25.  I think it will be a serious player in many of the events this year, including the Bassmaster Classic, where deep cranking may excel.  Deep cranking is a double edge sword.  Its one of my favorite techniques but there is nothing worse than having a big one jump and throw the bait.  With the FB 10/25, I will put those key fish in the boat," said Brandon.

Floatback Lures will be featured on Brandon's boat and truck wraps and jersey this season.  For more info on Floatback Lures, visit http://www.floatbacklures.com/ or find them on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/FloatbackLures.

You see that stack of papers, that's what a Pro Staff director sees everyday.  How will you stand out from the rest?  A new resume is a great way to start.

Now is the time you should be approaching sponsors as they prepare for the upcoming tournament season and are finalizing their staff decisions.  

What is your resume like?  

Is it going to stand out from the rest of the crowd or just piled up with the others?  

We Fish Media has built countless custom resumes for anglers just like you.  We constantly hear back from anglers about their new sponsor deals and comments they get on their resumes.  As part of our "New Year, New Resume Promo" you can get $20 off your resume.  The new total is $80 and we will honor that until January 5th.

What you get:

• Custom designed resume (cover page and two additional pages showcasing YOU)
• Three revisions/drafts
• Cover letter assistance
• Sponsor leads
• One mid-season update to your resume

Contact us at info@wefishmedia.com for more info.

Here are a few examples of resumes we have built for clients.

ResumeExample #1

Resume Example #2

Resume Example #3

There is a company out there that is making waves and is destined to be the next thing in clothing designed and dedicated to water sports. Native Outfitters is based in Florida and has already gained popularity in the fishing, surfing and paddleboard markets.  Their philosphy, and native attitude have appealed to many who live life by and on the water.  For fishermen (and women), the clothing appeals to those who believe fishing is more than just a hobby.  

This is one of our favorites:

They also feature a full lineup of clothing designed to withstand the elements; long sleeved 50SPF microfiber shirts, Performance shirts and rashguards designed for paddle sports.

Check them out at nativeoutfitters.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/nativeoutfitters

As a Pro-Staff manager, I see it all.  The requests for sponsorships come in all forms.  This was an actual request I had recently from someone looking to obtain a sponsorship:

"r u looking to sponser anybody.......if you can sponser me this would be my first sponser
OR DO YOU HAVE ANY SPONSERSHIPS OPEN i will mention your company everytime i come to weigh in right know i am leading angler of the year and i will do short videos talking about your products and i will do my best to try to get you some sells"

Do you see anything wrong with the above paragraph?

Finding sponsors is much easier with a proper approach, good grammar and a professional resume. If you need help figuring out what to say and how to say it, get in touch with us....we can help!

Ranger pro becomes first to win back-to-back AOY with his third title in five years.
 
FLIPPIN, Ark. (July 3, 2012) – In the midst of a career already highlighted by superlatives and record-breaking performances, Ranger Pro David Dudley became the first angler to win back-to-back FLW Tour Angler of the Year awards by capturing the season crown – and a regular-season tournament victory – on July 1 at Lake Champlain.
 
Already owning the distinction of being the only FLW angler with more than $3 million in career earnings, Dudley now has three FLW Tour Angler of the Year trophies to his credit since capturing his first title in 2008, tying him with fellow Ranger Pro Clark Wendlandt for the most in FLW Tour history. In 2011, Dudley joined Wendlandt and fellow Ranger Pro Jay Yelas as the only professional anglers to win two or more FLW Tour Angler of the Year awards. Dudley’s history-making weekend on Lake Champlain brought him the Angler of the Year award and its accompanying $100,000 prize plus a Ranger Cup bonus of a fully-rigged Ranger Z518 Comanche.  In addition, his subsequent tournament victory netted him another $100,000 as well as a $25,000 Ranger Cup bonus. 
 
“I want to try to make records or break them,” Dudley said. “Winning is what I like to do.”