Good Weekend to be a Shimano Bass Pro

LADSON, S.C. – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – It sure was good weekend to be a pro bass angler with a Shimano logo on your fishing jersey. Whether it was big smallmouth from Lake Mille Lacs in Minnesota and Buckhorn Lake north of the boarder in Ontario, or largemouth bass from Tennessee's Lake Chickamauga, B.A.S.S. Elite and FLW pros affiliated with Shimano had a long list of successes.

Starting off at the Emerald Isle Bass Tournament in Ennismore, Ontario, the brothers Johnston – Cory and Chris – won what is considered one of the most prestigious bass tournaments held in Canada. Known best for their success on the Costa FLW Series, the Johnstons have 19 top-10 finishes between them, with both winning 'Angler of the Year' titles during their careers. Cory just wrapped up his third 'AOY' title last month on Lake Oneida in New York.

Staying with the FLW circuit, Shimano (and Jackall Lures) pro Alex Davis from Alabama took home both the first place check at the FLW Bass Fishing League Lake Chickamauga tournament – and more importantly, a birth in the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup.

At the B.A.S.S. 'Angler of the Year' tournament in Minnesota, Texas pro Keith Combs caught 15 smallies weighing in at more the 57 pounds to finish second in the standings – both a nice check and qualifying for the 2017 Bassmaster Classic in Houston were his rewards.
Also on Mille Lacs, Oklahoma pro James Elam stayed in the hunt all weekend, ending up with 67-plus pounds for a 5th place finish – and also that way more important goal of qualifying for the Bassmaster Classic.

California pro Jared Lintner had a great weekend at Mille Lacs without much pressure to deal with at all. He did what he needed to do – catch at least one bass to solidify his B.A.S.S. 'AOY' ranking so he can join fellow Shimano pros Combs and Elam in the 2017 Classic.

But that's not all. On Big Rideau Lake in Ontario this past weekend, Shimano field staff member Chris Vandermeer was part of the winning 'Team of the Year' for the FLW Canada Trail.

Not a bad weekend at all to have a Shimano reel in your hand.