Brandon Palaniuk, the 29-year-old Bassmaster Elite Series angler from Hayden, Id., has joined the ZOOM Bait Company pro staff, the company announced Wednesday.
Palaniuk, a two-time Elite Series winner and 2010 B.A.S.S. Nation national champion, feels privileged to join the fishing industries' most recognizable and widely distributed brand of soft plastic baits as a promotional team member. He had previously been sponsored by Pure Fishing, which has significantly reduced its pro staff as its new parent company slashes costs.
While Palaniuk had other options, it was the quality of the product that made up his mind.
"Some of the first baits I ever fished were made by ZOOM," he said. "I have always had a lot of faith in the products, and when the opportunity came for me to explore new partnership options, my first choice was ZOOM."
The decision was based primarily on the merit of the product, and his familiarity with it.
"ZOOM has been the innovation, design and many industry standards for years, with lures like the Super Fluke, Trick Worm, Horny Toad and Super Chunk; they are baits we've all used" he said. "I had other opportunities to work with other companies for more money, but Zoom gives me the best chance to perform well on the water."
ZOOM knows the quality of angler it is getting in Palaniuk.
"We are very excited about Brandon joining our ZOOM pro staff," said Eddie Wortham, ZOOM Bait Company General Manager. "Brandon represents some of the best young talent on the Bassmaster Elite Series and we are thrilled he will be fishing Zoom Baits next year."
