BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, has become the title sponsor of all seven B.A.S.S. LLC-owned events within the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, which serves tens of thousands of amateur anglers and their bass clubs in the United States and in seven other countries.
“B.A.S.S. Federation Nation is a leader in promoting and preserving fishing through top-notch competitive events,” said Scott Williams, Cabela’s Chief Marketing and E-Commerce Officer. “Cabela’s is proud to support B.A.S.S. and all affiliated anglers across the nation. We are looking forward to a great year of fishing.”
“We are very excited about having Cabela’s come on board as we gear up for a new season of tournaments,” said Don Corkran, director of the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation. “We’re doubly pleased that Federation Nation events are now associated with a company known for its strong conservation partnerships, because so much of the Federation Nation is about grassroots conservation projects that help preserve the world’s valuable aquatic resources.”
A new Cabela’s-sponsored bonus program, Cabela’s Big Bass, will award $200 to the angler who weighs in the heaviest bass at each of the seven Federation Nation tournaments scheduled for 2012.
“The bonuses provide well-deserved recognition to an angler for a great catch, as well as add another layer of competition to each tournament,” Corkran noted.
Six Federation Nation divisional events — the Southern, Western, Central, Northern, Mid-Atlantic and Eastern — serve as qualifiers for the annual championship. The 2012 season will kick off with the March 28-30 Cabela’s B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Southern Divisional on Lake Okeechobee out of Clewiston, Fla.
The season will wrap up in the fall with the 2012 Cabela’s B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship. The event will determine six amateur qualifiers for the 2013 Bassmaster Classic, the world championship of bass fishing. In addition, the one overall Federation Nation champion will be invited in 2013 to join the upper echelon of professional competition, the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Cabela’s was founded in 1961 by Dick Cabela in Nebraska as a kitchen-table operation. Dick and his wife, Mary, first offered only fishing flies, but quickly added an array of products to their catalog as demand for outdoor goods grew. Dick Cabela was joined early in his venture by his brother, Jim.
Today, with headquarters in Sidney, Neb., Cabela’s has multiple destination stores across the United States and Canada, and worldwide sales through catalog and e-commerce operations. Product offerings span 10 major categories: fishing, hunting, shooting, boating, camping, clothing, footwear, auto and ATV, home and cabin, and hobbies. Anglers can learn more at www.cabelas.com.
