January 5, 2024
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After a successful three-year partnership that began in 2021, B.A.S.S. announced today that it has extended its relationship with VMC, a Rapala Respected Brand, for another three years, through 2026.
VMC is known for making award-winning hooks for every style of fishing and, most recently, for its RedLine Series, which is made from extra-light, extra-strength VMC Vanadium steel — the same material used to make Formula One racecars.
Several anglers have used VMC products to make history on the Bassmaster Elite Series in recent years, including Minnesota’s Seth Feider, who won the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year title in 2021, Idaho’s Brandon Palaniuk, who won his second AOY title in 2022 and South Carolina’s Patrick Walters, who caught the biggest four-day catch of smallmouth in B.A.S.S. history in 2023 with 105 pounds on the St. Lawrence River.
“The accomplishments speak for themselves when you talk about the effect VMC products have had on the sport of fishing,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “We’re excited to continue our partnership with VMC — and to watch their anglers use their hooks to entertain and enlighten fishermen around the world.”
VMC will be featured during Bassmaster LIVE broadcasts streamed daily on Bassmaster.com and on the FOX Sports platforms. They’ll sponsor the daily VMC On-Point segment, highlighting an exciting catch from that day’s competition.
As a tournament sponsor, they will also be exposed to the sport’s most rabid fans with coverage on Bassmaster.com, in Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Timesmagazines and on the organization’s various social media platforms.
In addition to sponsorship of the Elite Series, VMC will be a supporting sponsor for the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship and the grass-roots Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance and championship tournaments.
VMC’s RedLine Series, which was introduced earlier this year, is comprised of eight hooks — all designed for tournament bass anglers who demand a better hook set and more landing certainty. With their velvety-smooth P.T.F.E. coating, RedLine hooks penetrate 50% faster than ordinary hooks — and with the company’s unique, compressed Needle Point design that produces an ultra-sharp point, fish practically hook themselves.
“In my opinion, you can have the best equipment in boats, motors, electronics, baits, rods, reels and line, but if you cut corners on your hook you will fail,” said Gerald Swindle, a member of the Rapala pro team and a two-time Angler of the Year (2004, 2016). “The most important piece of the puzzle to tie all of that equipment together is the hook that you tie on. The VMC RedLine is the ultimate fishing hook.”
Matt Jensen, vice president of marketing for Rapala VMC, agreed — and expressed his excitement about the continuing partnership with B.A.S.S.
“VMC is invested into products for tournament anglers, especially with the launch of the VMC RedLine Series,” he said. “This makes Bassmaster a vital partner of ours to help tell the story of the innovation and pro experience we put into all the new hooks and jigs available today. We listen to our pros and build products for the best of the best anglers.”
