BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. has announced registration dates for the newly rebranded AmBASSador program that pairs individuals with Elite Series anglers during competition. AmBASSadors, formerly known as marshals, have the best seat in the tournament to view the biggest names in professional bass fishing.
Registration dates for the AmBASSador program are:
- Life and Nation Members online Dec. 3 at 9 a.m. CT
- All other B.A.S.S. members online Dec. 10 at 9 a.m. CT
- Registration will remain open until all spots are filled
- More information on registration is coming soon
“The AmBASSador rebrand more accurately reflects what the program embodies,” said Elite Series Tournament Director Lisa Talmadge. “Any B.A.S.S. member can be an AmBASSador. There’s no special training or knowledge of rules needed; AmBASSadors aren’t present to enforce rules. Being an AmBASSador is a fun way for fishing fans to get an on-the-water experience with an Elite angler and an opportunity to learn new techniques and bodies of water.
“AmBASSadors also should be willing to help with BassTrakk and Skype and to take photos that may be featured on Bassmaster.com as part of tournament coverage,” Talmadge added.
AmBASSadors can sign up for one Elite event or multiple events over the course of a season. For the $99 AmBASSador program fee, fans will receive an AFTCO shirt, an AFTCO hat, an AFTCO gift card, a B.A.S.S. hat and, most importantly, the best view in professional bass fishing.
“I had been away from bass fishing and wanted to get back into it when I retired,” said Rick Moore, an 11-year veteran of the marshal program. “A lot of baits and methods had changed over the past 20 years, so I did it to accelerate my learning, and I did (within) two years of participating in the program.
“I didn’t have the opportunity to go to the lakes I had read about in Bassmaster Magazine, and the program gave me the opportunity to do that,” added Moore, who currently resides in California. “Also, I get the chance to fish on the lake a couple of days after the event to try out techniques I’ve observed, and I get to experience the communities.”
Moore said he spends his time on the water taking plenty of photos and videos as well as observing the Elite pros fish the latest techniques and technology.
“One of the best things I think about watching the pros is I get to see how they react when they’re struggling,” Moore said. “As a fisherman, that’s critical — learning how to deal with difficult situations such as when the bite stops. If you’re serious about fishing, this is how you learn — by watching the best in the world in action.”
Visit Bassmaster.com to register for the AmBASSador program.
