South Carolina-based lure company Strike King, part of Rather Outdoors, has signed on as the 2022 title sponsor for the Bassmaster College Series and will also serve as a new supporting sponsor for the entire Bassmaster Tournament Trail, B.A.S.S. officials announced today.
“This season the Bassmaster College Series enjoyed unprecedented coverage and interest, and we are thrilled to see what the 2022 season will bring,” said B.A.S.S. chairman and CEO Chase Anderson. “We are excited to partner with Strike King to continue growing the popularity of college fishing and then supporting these anglers and providing more avenues to compete as they move through the tournament ranks.
“There are already former College Series National Champions and College Classic Bracket competitors sprinkled throughout the Bassmaster Elite Series and Bassmaster Classic field. It’s likely just a matter of time before the majority of the Elite field will have some kind of experience in our youth programs.”
The Bassmaster College Series events have been an incredible tool for encouraging youth fishing participation across the country, and they’re beginning to have a pronounced effect on the highest levels of professional bass fishing. Since B.A.S.S. started the circuit in 2013, there has been a 97-percent growth in the number of participating schools and clubs at the college level.
When registration for the 2022 Bassmaster College Series opened in early December, the 250-boat field for each of the four regular-season tournaments filled in just one day.
“We believe one of the most powerful sources of influence and change in fishing lies with this generation of passionate and dedicated high school and collegiate anglers,” said Strike King CEO Ken Eubanks. “We are devoted to supporting them as they blaze new trails in our industry.”
The 2022 College Series will open its regular season at the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Fla., Jan. 21-22 before stops in North Carolina, Arkansas and Michigan.
