ALX Rods, headquartered in Aiken, S.C., has announced the addition of Fairview, N.C., angler Jake Whitaker to its national pro staff. The 2018 season will mark Whitaker's rookie year on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Whitaker qualified for the Elite Series through the 2017 Bassmaster Northern Opens where he finished third in the Angler of the Year standings. Previous to competing in the Open, Whitaker was an accomplished college angler at UNC-Charlotte, where he won the 2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship with his partner.
With a Carolina lineage, a history of providing top quality, handcrafted bass fishing rods, and an established lineup of technique-specific rods, Whitaker was a natural choice for ALX Rods.
"Jake embodies exactly what we believe at ALX Rods with a 'do the right thing, not the easy thing' mentality," said ALX Rods president and founder Alex Dziengielewski. "This was evident the first time we talked and we're excited to help him get his professional fishing career rolling."
While many top-level anglers are known for their specialty with a certain type of lure, Whitaker qualified for the Elite Series by being flexible and using different lures and methods on different bodies of water according to conditions and environments.
“ALX has rods fit for all techniques, whether it’s flipping grass or fishing off shore with a drop shot," he said. "The quality, craftsmanship, and service provided by ALX Rods is second to none. I’m really excited to be teamed up with a great family owned company!”
