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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — For the third consecutive year, AFTCO has signed on as title sponsor for the premier event of the Bassmaster Elite Series season. The 2022 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River will be held Feb. 10-13 in Palatka, Fla.
Additionally, AFTCO will continue its long-standing partnership with B.A.S.S. as a conservation partner and supporting sponsor for the six circuits of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail as well as outfitting all staff and marshals with performance fishing clothing for these events.
“For the third year in a row, AFTCO is pumped to kick off the Bassmaster Elite Series season as the title sponsor at the St. Johns River,” said AFTCO Marketing Director Matt Florentino. “We’re also sponsoring the upcoming B.A.S.S. Conservation Summit and cannot wait to get to work with the entire B.A.S.S. Nation! Bassmaster’s continued commitment to the sport and their audience of die-hard fans keeps us coming back year after year.”
Among the AFTCO-aligned pro anglers ready to kick off the 2022 season is Bryan New, who took a victory at the 2021 Elite event on the St. Johns River. With a four-day total of 79 pounds, 7 ounces, New climbed from sixth place on Championship Sunday to claim his first Elite event after winning the Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year title.
“I cannot say enough about the support AFTCO gives to anglers,” said New. “They’ve stepped up to partner with many of my fellow Elite pros, but AFTCO is also dedicated to supporting competitive fishing at all levels and working to ensure the future of fishing with their 10% pledge to protect and conserve fisheries.
“We’re all looking forward to the season, and it would be great to kick off 2022 with another win at the St. Johns!”
This will mark the fourth-straight year the Elite Series has held its season-opener on the St. Johns River — a quintessential Florida fishery that features vast shoreline cover, big Florida-strain largemouth and breathtaking scenery with Spanish moss-covered trees, alligators and manatees.
Full coverage from all four days of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River will be available on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 12-13 beginning at 8 a.m. ET.
About AFTCO
AFTCO is a 60+ year old family owned and operated business known for everything from Performance Fishing Shirts & Saltwater Fishing Tackle to the Best Fishing Rain Gear. Through AFTCO’s Pledge to Protect and Conserve, 10% of company profits are donated to efforts that support fishing conservation and angler rights.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, 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 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, 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, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
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