TWO NEW SPONSORS JOIN 2014 TOP STICK TOUR RAISING THE STAKES FOR UNIQUE GRASS-ROOTS FISHING SERIES

Local Tournaments Series Delivers Substantial Ultimate Prize, Qualifying Path for Toyota Bassmaster

Two important new sponsors have joined premium-quality American fishing rod manufacturer Cousins Tackle Corporation in support of the 2014 Top Stick Tour, a unique grass-roots bass tournament series that provides “regular” anglers with a competitive tour, great prizes and more.

Joining the 2014 Top Stick Tour family of sponsors are Sun Country Marine and Skeeter Boats/Yamaha Motors.   Together, Sun Country Marine and Skeeter Boats/Yamaha Motors will be providing the 1st Place prize at the Top Stick Tour Tournament of Champions — a check for $10,000.    “I’m very excited to renew my association with longtime friends Ben Jarrett and JoAnne O’Bryant at Skeeter Boats/Yamaha Motors, and happy to join forces with Mike Phua and the Sun Country family, said John Barron, Top Stick Tour President.

Cousins Tackle has upgraded its current sponsorship, as well, bringing a new twist to the exciting finale of this tournament series.  In addition to the substantial cash award that will be provided by Skeeter Boats/Yamaha Motors and Sun Country Marine, the winner of the 2014 Top Stick Tour Tournament of Champions event will automatically become a member of the Cousins Tackle Pro Staff.    “Cousins is very selective about the tournament pros we work with’” said Cousins Tackle President Bill Buchanan.  “Our American-made rods are the best out there, and as such, we strive to associate ourselves with the best anglers across the country.  We develop close working relationships with our pro staff anglers.  We don’t just provide rods to them, we depend on their experiences and expertise to help us refine our rods and make them even better for all styles of bass fishing,” added Buchanan.

The first 50 people who sign up for Top Stick membership will have their Bassmasters Team Championship entry included (an optional $10 thereafter) — including a subscription to BASS Times worth more than $20.  This format will provide one team for every 50 participating two-man teams a chance to quality to fish the 2015 Bassmasters Classic — the world’s most prestigious bass fishing event.  One or more of the Top Stick teams will be sent to the Team Championship where they will fish against other teams from across the nation for a chance at a Classic berth.  The top three teams from that event will be split into six single anglers and the winner will be invited to fish the 2015 Classic.

“The Top Stick tournament series is bringing new fun to the team fishing scene in Southern California,” added Barron.  “We have some exciting plans for next season, including opening an Inland Empire Region and a Travelers Region, as well as introducing a few open events with some new, fun formats.”

The Cousins Tackle bass rod line includes dozens of spinning, casting and specialty models crafted from fiberglass, IM-8 and High Modulus graphite blanks to optimize angling performance — and make the world’s best bass fishermen even better.  These rods are available exclusively through a growing network of authorized Cousins Tackle dealers across the country — including 16 premium tackle retailers in California (with more to come).  In addition, Cousins will be soon be introducing to the bass fishing world a revolutionary new line of

rods — Raze — that will deliver American-made quality and precision-tuned performance at drastically lower retail prices.  This new rod family — coming to dealers Summer 2014 — will make Cousins rods accessible to more fishermen across California and coast-to-coast.

To learn more about the 2014 Top Stick Tour and upcoming events, visit www.topsticktour.com and Facebook/topsticktour.  For more information about Cousins rods for bass fishing — or the company’s complete line of premium quality, American-made rods for fresh and saltwater fishing, contact Cousins Tackle Corporation at (714) 893-0423 or visit www.cousinstackle.com

About Cousins Tackle Corporation

Cousins Tackle Corporation is run by real-life cousins and fishing industry legends Bill Buchanan and Wade Cunningham, who together helped create iconic brands including Sage, Seeker, Fenwick, Sevenstrand, Berkeley, Spiderwire, Stren, Abu Garcia, Abel and Shikari.   Cousins manufactures a full line of premium quality rods for most styles of fresh and saltwater fishing, as well as a selection of proven trolling lures and skirts, all in its Huntington Beach, California facility.   American made Cousins products are available nationwide through select independent fishing tackle retailers.