BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Rapala, maker of premium lures and other fishing tackle and accessories, has extended their sponsorship of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail as well as their title sponsorship of Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing for the 2021 season.

“B.A.S.S. continues to bring new ways to promote the sport at every level, and Rapala is excited to continue our partnership through 2021,” said Matt Jensen, Rapala Director of Marketing. “Rapala VMC Brands have so many new products each year pushing the limits of innovation in many categories, and being able to expose our top products through the B.A.S.S. platform helps us execute our initiatives.”

“In addition, Rapala and B.A.S.S have an initiative to continue to grow Fantasy Fishing and engage more fans with interactive ways to be a part of the tournaments and have a chance at amazing prizes during the year.”

Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing saw a 36% jump in participation during the 2020 season as fans competed for more than $90,000 in prizes. Fantasy Fishing provides more than 37,000 highly engaged fishing fans a competitive platform to test their knowledge of professional fishing and prognostication skills. Every 2020 event featured $2,500 in prizes from Rapala, and the season points champion took home over $20,000 in gift cards, cash and gear.

Rapala will be a Supporting Sponsor for the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship and the grass-roots TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation regional and championship tournaments.

As a tournament sponsor, Rapala will enjoy exposure to enthusiastic fans of sportfishing and B.A.S.S. members during tournament weigh-ins as well as across Bassmaster.com, Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Timesmagazines and various social media platforms while Fantasy Fishing also receives extensive coverage when fans tune in to Bassmaster LIVE to follow their fantasy team anglers.

Six 2020 Bassmaster Elite Series pro anglers — Bernie Schultz, Seth Feider, Patrick Walters, Gerald Swindle, Brandon Palaniuk and Bob Downey — are part of the Rapala pro staff.