BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Fishing fans and anglers following the 2013 Bassmaster Elite Series could not have helped but notice the colorful Rigid Industries’ LED Lighting products on several pros’ bass boats, trailers and tow vehicles, or the glow of Rigid’s display truck and boat.
They’ll be seeing even more of those can’t-miss, marine-grade-tough LED lights. B.A.S.S. and Rigid Industries have signed a multiyear agreement for Rigid to be an Official Supporting Sponsor of multiple Bassmaster circuits.

The sponsorship includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Bassmaster Wild Card and the grass-roots B.A.S.S. Nation regional tournaments.
“Rigid Industries LED Lighting marine products are designed for the bass angler and help with safety on the water, while other Rigid light applications are ideal for the trailer and trucks,” said Dave Davis, director of sales for Rigid Industries. “We are ecstatic to align with B.A.S.S. as a Supporting Sponsor. We’re excited about the activation of our Skeeter-Yamaha rig stocked with more than 20 lights, and the new Rigid-stocked Toyota Tundra, which can be seen at all the upcoming Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments along with a few select other events.”

“We welcomed Rigid early this season as an Elite Series event title sponsor, so we already feel like Rigid is one of our old partners,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S. “Rigid, a leader in many other industries, recognized the value of being involved with the sport and industry of bass fishing. We’re pleased Rigid chose a Bassmaster Supporting Sponsorship as its next step.”

Rigid is introducing a new contingency program for Bassmaster pros. Starting with the 2014 Bassmaster Elite Series, the Rigid Industries Big Fish Lights Jackpot program will award $250 to the pro who has the heaviest five-fish limit weighing more than 25 pounds at an event. If no pro exceeds the 25-pound, five-fish limit in an event, the $250 will carry over to the next tournament day until the 25-pound mark is broken. Anglers must have Rigid Industries LED lights on both their tow vehicle and boat to qualify for the award.

“The Rigid Industries Big Fish Lights Jackpot is a great way for an angler to win some extra cash. Who knows how big the jackpot will grow before its broken,” said Chris Brown, marine manager for Rigid Industries.

The sponsorship agreement’s term is 2014-2015. Meanwhile, Rigid will be displaying its LED-lighted Skeeter-Yamaha rig and Toyota Tundra at the regular-season Elite Series finale — the Aug. 22-25 Plano Championship Chase out of Detroit, Mich. — plus at several other Bassmaster events remaining in the 2013 season.

Rigid also will be reaching consumers through the B.A.S.S.-owned print properties, Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times, as well as through the TV show, The Bassmasters.

Rigid was the title sponsor of the second event of the 2013 Bassmaster Elite Series season. The Rigid Industries Falcon Slam on Falcon Lake out of Zapata, Texas, was Rigid’s debut in bass tournament activation.

Prior to that, Rigid had recently signed Elite pro Brandon Palaniuk. The young pro from Idaho went on to win the Aug. 8-11 Evan Williams Bourbon Showdown at St. Lawrence River out of Waddington, N.Y. Palaniuk runs a rig and tow vehicle equipped with Rigid lights; his truck alone has 50 of them. Rigid now sponsors several other Elite pros, including the Elite rookie from Arizona, Josh Bertrand, who finished in eighth place at the Showdown.

A new lineup of Rigid marine products for the bass industry includes the Wake Flame SL Underwater LED Lights series. The lights illuminate the water surrounding a boat with red, white, blue and green LED options. Another product line is Back Up Light Kits in the SR-M and SR-M Flush Mount, and SR-Q and SR-Q Flush Mount models. Replacing factory reverse lights, the kits increase the amount of usable light. They mount with a single-bolt system or a flush mount version to maintain that factory installed look.