The first 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series event on the St. Johns River this week will see the debut of four new Humminbird and Minn Kota pro team members, as well as three new Elite anglers who are legacy members of the pro team.
New to the pro team are Chris Zaldain, Chad Pipkens, Harvey Horne and Dale Hightower. Zaldain and Pipkens are veterans on the Elite Series, earning an invitation for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, respectively. Horne and Hightower have recently moved up the ranks through the Bassmaster Opens Series to qualify for the 2019 Elite Series.
New to the Elites, but not to the Humminbird and Minn Kota pro team, are Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson, Carl Jocumsen and Koby Krieger. They, along with the new pro team members, join Keith Combs, Seth Feider, Matt Herren and Bill Lowen to make up the Humminbird and Minn Kota pro team for the Elite Series.
“We’re excited about the additions to our pro team and the experience each brings to the group,” said Tim Price, Humminbird and Minn Kota field promotions manager. “With Humminbird units, the Ultrex and Talons that are connected through our One-Boat Network, this group of anglers will be a threat to win every event thanks to unmatched mapping, best-in-class sonar and imaging and unprecedented boat control.”
Each of the anglers will be running Humminbird electronics, a Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor and Talon shallow-water anchors.
“Designed to work together, Humminbird, Minn Kota and Talon connectivity will allow these anglers the ability to concentrate on the presentation and the hookset while we take care of everything else," Price said. "Our technologies will give these anglers an edge in competition and we look forward to seeing their performance on this year’s Elite Series."
