Wednesday, December 6, 2023

AFTCO Extends Partnership with Bassmaster Tournament Trail

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — AFTCO will continue its long-standing partnership as a supporting sponsor of the six-series Bassmaster Tournament Trail, outfitter for B.A.S.S. staff and marshals and title sponsor for one of the Elite season’s most anticipated events — the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork, which will be held Feb. 29-March 3, 2024.

“As a supporting sponsor of B.A.S.S. we’re extremely proud to outfit the entire B.A.S.S. staff with AFTCO fishing apparel that can be seen in the B.A.S.S. studio and in the field with tournament staff, camera crews and B.A.S.S. conservation volunteers. For 2024, we enter our fifth consecutive year of Elite Series title sponsorship,” said AFTCO Marketing Director Matt Florentino. “We set our sights as the title sponsor for the Lake Fork Elite Series tournament taking place in Yantis, Texas. Like they say, ‘everything is bigger in Texas,’ and this fabled fishery will be one to watch for some big bass and giant bags coming to the scales.”

Lake Fork's big-bass potential has generated fireworks in previous years, producing a staggering nine Century Club performances the last four times B.A.S.S. has visited the 27,264-acre impoundment. This includes Lee Livesay’s single-day limit of 42 pounds, 3 ounces in 2021, the third-heaviest single-day catch in B.A.S.S. history.

Among the eight AFTCO-aligned pro anglers ready to tackle this big bass factory — and the entire Elite lineup — is Gerald Swindle, one of four anglers (including Livesay) who earned a Century belt on Fork when the Elites last visited in 2022.

“I’m super-stoked about returning to Lake Fork in February,” said Swindle. “We could see some extreme conditions and super-high weights of fish being caught ... But as long as AFTCO is the title sponsor, I know I will be dry and warm.”

Full coverage from all four days of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork will be available on Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live with the tournament leaders on Saturday and Sunday, March 2-3.

Throughout the season, AFTCO will also be hooking Bassmaster marshals up with apparel, gear, gift cards and more.

About AFTCO
Family-owned and operated, AFTCO crafts fishing apparel that provides protection from the elements and precision-built fishing tackle designed to catch the fish of a lifetime. Through AFTCO’s 10% Pledge to Protect and Conserve, each year 10% of company profits towards organizations and causes working to conserve our oceans, waterways, and fish populations while protecting 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 500,000-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, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series scored by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.