Shimano announced Monday that it has added Bassmaster Elite Series anglers Jared Lintner, Cliff Pace and David Walker to its pro staff. All three anglers will be using Shimano products at the Bassmaster Classic next month.
Lintner, entering his 8th year on the pro circuit, will be fishing with Shimano reels, G.Loomis rods and Jackall lures.
“Fishing with Shimano Chronarch and Calcutta-D reels – matched with G.Loomis GLX rods - will provide me with an extra edge of confidence when I’m casting Jackall hard and soft baits,” he said.
Pace will fish Shimano rods and reels and continue his association with Jackall Lures. Both Lintner and Pace have a lengthy background with Jackall. Shimano took over the sales and distribution of Jackall products in the U.S. and Canada this month.
“I started using Curado reels going back to one of my first tournaments on Sam Rayburn in 2003 so I’m very familiar with Shimano quality,” he said. “I’ll be using the new Shimano Cumura rods to cast Jackall Squad Minnow jerkbaits in hopes that my fifth Classic is my time.”
Walker is a a long-time user of G.Loomis rods and will now also be using Shimano reels.
“The first baitcasting reel I ever bought was a Shimano Bantam back in the early ‘80s,” Walker said, “and I look forward to using Chronarch reels on GLX 894C FPR flipping stick, and the Core reels on GLX worm rods to help me become a better finesse bait angler.”
Said Shimano marketing manager Bob Mahoney, “We look forward to Jared, Cliff and David providing input on and field-testing new tackle. David has been of great help to our G.Loomis crew for a more than a decade, and Jared and Cliff have had a big hand in the success of Jackall Lures. We’ll have them involved in various opportunities at fishing events and with our dealers as their travel schedules fit.”
