The Professional Anglers Association (PAA) is now capable of taking multiple year memberships. Anglers and fishing fans who know about the benefits of being a member of the PAA can now purchase a membership for up to three years. The longer the membership that is purchased will result in a bigger discount per year. One year memberships will remain the same price.

PAA MEMBERSHIP LEVEL Year(s) Cost

General                                                                        1                                  $50

General                                                                        2                                  $90

General                                                                        3                                  $130

Advantage                                                                  1                                  $150

Advantage                                                                  2                                  $290

Advantage                                                                  3                                  $430

Tour                                                                             1                                  $400

Tour                                                                             2                                  $785

Tour                                                                             3                                  $1170

If you are not a PAA member, you need to sign up now! The Affinity Program is a great way to get awesome discounts on many of the best products in the fishing industry. The PAA Payday Program is a tournament bonus program that pays members a cash bonus for winning a long list of sanctioned events (see www.FishPAA.com for more details). The memberships can be purchased online at www.FishPAA.com or over the phone by calling the PAA Office at (270) 527-2030. Get your discount.

PAA President, John Crews, is excited about the opportunity. He said, “Our members are what we work for. This is a great way to give members another discount for the great services that the PAA provides. I think most people would like the opportunity to save some money and not have to worry about signing up every year. I plan on taking advantage of it.”

The membership classifications are split into three groups. Tour members are anglers who compete on the E21/ Carrot Stix PAA Tournament Series, Bassmaster Elite Series, FLW Tour, or FLW Series. The Advantage membership is for anglers who want a chance at bonuses in BASS Opens, WBT, FLW Outdoors Stren events, and more. The General membership is for all the other anglers, tournament competitors, fishing fans, and proponents of professional angling. See www.FishPAA.com for more details on the membership levels or call the PAA Office at (270) 527-2030.

The Professional Anglers Association is a non-profit organization that gives professional anglers a unified voice in order to aid in the growth of the sport of professional bass fishing. The PAA also aims to administer educational programs to the average angler, to increase enjoyment of the sport, and to embrace sound conservation practices to further the future of the sport. For more information, visit www.FishPAA.com.

2009 Bassmaster Classic Champion and 2007 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Skeet Reese, announces a new partnership with the Wright & McGill Co. to produce a new line of Skeet Reese Signature Tessera Fishing Rods.  The series will be based on the competitive needs of one of the world’s best anglers combined with the technological expertise of one of the industry’s most well known manufacturers.

The Wright & McGill Skeet Reese Signature Tessera Fishing Rods will feature nine technique specific models designed by Reese to fit his own fishing style and the most popular fishing techniques being utilized today.  From drop shotting to flipping and pitching, swimbaits, crankbaits and jerkbaits, the lineup will fill the needs of any serious angler.  The new lineup will be constructed using Wright & McGill’s proprietary S-Curve blank technology.

S-Curve is Wright & McGill’s new process of blank construction that blends a precise mixture of materials in a specific process for assembly that results in a thin diameter blank that weighs less than conventional construction without sacrificing durability.  The result of the S-Curve construction and premium components is a premium bass fishing rod that would make a Bassmaster Classic Champion proud, while making it affordable for the angling public.

“I am very excited about this new partnership with Wright & McGill,” said Reese, who has been active in design and construction of new products with his sponsors for many years.  “I have always wanted to be able to produce a premium fishing rod that would be at a price point that every angler would be able to afford; Wright & McGill Co. has given me that opportunity

“It was not easy to make the decision to leave Lamiglas as they have always been very good to me,” said Reese.  “But this new project will allow me to build the rods I’ve always wanted to build at a price point that everyone can afford; and with Wright & McGill’s distribution network, we will be able to provide many anglers a chance to experience their quality construction and affordability.”

Chris Russell, Marketing Director for the Wright & McGill Co. said that the company is equally as excited to be working with Reese.  “The thought of working with a Bassmaster Classic Champion and Angler of the Year is certainly thrilling,” Russell, said that was not the only draw however.  “Skeet has a real understanding of the business of the fishing industry, and a real sense of what the fishing public needs and wants; when coupled with his skill as an angler and his work ethic, he represents a tremendous asset, one we are proud to enter into this project with.

Reese said the rods fit his style, both as an angler and an icon.  “The components are the best available, the blanks are some of the most technologically advanced I’ve ever seen,” Reese said.  “The look of the rods will certainly be aggressive, reflecting my personal trademarks, I think everyone will see them for the revolutionary product they are.”

Wright & McGill’s Skeet Reese Signature Tessera Rods will make their industry debut at ICAST in Orlando in July, In keeping with the Wright & McGill Co. brand strategy, these rods will be designed and priced to offer exceptional quality and value at a price point affordable to a wide range of anglers; the entire line is expected to retail between $89 – $99.

Skeet Reese is a Bassmaster Elite Series pro, he is the 2009 Bassmaster Classic Champion and the 2007 Bassmaster Angler of the Year who has compiled career earnings that total more than $1.9 million in career earnings. Reese has qualified for 10 Bassmaster Classic appearances, and has finished in the top 10 41 times, including four wins in BASS competition in an 11 year career.  Reese is a 39-year-old California native who resides in Auburn, Calif. with his wife Kim, and two daughters; Leamarie and Courtney. Visit his website: www.skeetreeseinc.com.

Wright & McGill Co. is one of the most recognizable companies in the fishing industry.  The manufacturer of Lazer Sharp and Eagle Claw hooks and their own brand of rods and reels, as well as big game tackle.  Their line of Essentials and Accessories gear has become one of the most sought after brands in the world today, and the new fishing rod home of 2009 Bassmaster Classic Champion Skeet Reese.  For more about Wright & McGill, visit them at www.wright-mcgill.com

Eliminate guesswork and make culling easy with the QuikSlide Tournament Culling System™ — a must-have for serious bass or walleye tournament fishermen.

One of the easiest-to-use culling systems on the market, the QuikSlide Tournament Culling System includes seven stainless-steel 3-inch locking snaps with multi-colored T-Grip handles plus one snap carrier, one acrylic culling board (one side for bass/one side for walleye) and one dry-erase marker.

The QuikSlide Tournament Culling System’s design makes it a winner. First, the snaps stay handy clipped right to your belt and easy to lift off when needed. Each 3-inch snap is attached to a brightly colored T-grip. Simply attach the fish to a color-coded snap and record its weight beside the matching color on the culling board. When you’re ready to cull your smallest fish, you can easily identify it in the livewell and grab the brightly colored T-grip to lift it out.

Best of all, the QuikSlide Tournament Culling System lets fish swim freely in the bottom of the livewell without getting tangled.

The simple and efficient QuikSlide Tournament Culling System will help you save time on the water when every second counts.

For more information or to purchase, check out www.quikslide.com

The Berkley Bass Tank will be at the Fred Hall Tackle and Boat Show in Long Beach, Calif. The tank is scheduled to stop March 4 – 8 and will feature seminars and appearances by Berkley Pro Anglers.

Berkley sends two 4,000-gallon bass tanks all over the country to help out the everyday angler. Kids and adults alike will enjoy learning about new Berkley products and tips on how to use these innovative baits.

“The Berkley Bass Tanks are out on the road, giving all anglers the opportunity to hone their skills,” said Tammy Cox, Berkley Marketing Manager “Not only will attendees learn to “Catch More Fish,” they will also learn about new products that will help them become a better angler.”

March 4 – 8
Fred Hall Tackle and Boat Show
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
300 E. Ocean Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90802

If you are unable to make it by the Fred Hall Tackle and Boat Show, plan to attend one of these other upcoming events:

March 12-16 – Minneapolis Boat Show, Minneapolis, Minn.
March 14-15 – FLW Tour Family Fun Zone, Branson, Mo.
March 28-29 – BASS Elite Series Expo, Russellville, Ark.
March 26 – April 5 – South Texas State Fair, Beaumont, Texas
April 24 – April 26 – Joe’s Fish Fest, St. Paul, Minn.
April 25 – 26 – FLW Tour Family Fun Zone, Charlotte, N.C.