FLW Tour angler Bryan Thrift and Fitzgerald Rods announced over the holidays that Thrift has joined the company’s pro staff for the coming year.
Part of the agreement will be Thrift assisting in the development of a signature series of rods bearing his name.
“Adding Bryan Thirft to our pro staff is huge,” said Fitzgerald Rods owner and founder Trevor Fitzgerald. “We have built such a great reputation in the fishing industry as building superior fishing rods that have won numerous national titles already. With Bryan Thrift on board we will be able to have the input of yet another professional angler so that we can continue to build and sell the rods that fishermen want and need.
“Someone with Bryan’s credentials and notoriety could have chosen any rod company, but instead he chose Fitzgerald Rods and we are honored to have him aboard.”
Thrift says he’s used numerous Fitzgerald rods over the past three years and has been impressed with their durability and strength.
“I’ve yet to break one,” he said. “They’re good, quality rods made in the USA. I think they’re some of the best custom rods out there.”
Thrift said he’s excited to help Fitzgerald broaden its reach beyond the flipping and frogging market. Initial plans for his signature series are for it to include four models which will cover his favorite techniques.
“I’m excited to work with him for the fact that I know he makes good quality products,” he said. “I don’t like to jump around sponsors because I want to work with companies I feel like we can build long-term relationships. If you bounce around rod companies, I feel like you lose some credibility. Being with someone like Fitzgerald, I feel I like can grow and build with them.”
