In case you missed the stunning, blue boat wrap, rookie Bassmaster Elite Series angler, Jay Przekurat of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, has a new sponsor, Whitewater Fishing. Widely known for its ScentLok and Blocker Outdoorsbrands, recognized pioneers in the scent-control hunting-apparel category for nearly 30 years, Nexus Outdoors is in the process of launching Whitewater, a technical fishing-apparel brand conceived to deliver anglers the confidence to overcome Mother Nature’s elements so they can focus their minds and available energies on beating the fish, not the conditions.
“Aaron Ambur and Steve Allie over at Nexus Outdoors in Michigan reached out to me shortly after I qualified for the Elites last season,” says Przekurat. “In addition to being avid bowhunters, they’re both diehard anglers and Aaron had already reached out to my dad (two-time National Walleye Tour Championship winner Jason Przekurat) about partnering with them on their Whitewater launch. It was the right opportunity at the right time,” Przekurat continues. “Going into my rookie season in the Elites, I knew full-time fishing was going to require some backing, so I met with them and it’s been a great relationship ever since.”
Ambur agrees. “I’m pretty serious about my fishing and also tend to be competitive, so I understand what these Elite guys are up against on competitive bass fishing’s biggest stage,” the Nexus Outdoors President says. “Especially a talented rookie like Jay, who’s worked his tail off only to earn the reward of sleeping in his truck and fishing against guys who are every bit as talented but with 10, 20 or 30 years more experience. We’re hoping our Whitewater products and support will help even the playing field a bit for Jay and, so far, it looks like it’s making a difference. We couldn’t be prouder of his accomplishments so far this season.”
Growing up in northern Wisconsin, Przekurat enjoyed exposure to a variety of different multispecies fisheries – something he credits for teaching him how to be a versatile angler, which he proved during fierce competition in the 2021 Bassmaster Opens Series and so far in his rookie season fishing the 2022 Bassmaster Elite Series. After making the Day-3 cut at all four Elite Series events so far this season, Przekurat is currently leading the other nine 2022 Elite rookies in the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Rookie of the Year standings and is also in 11th place in the Progressive Elite Series Angler of the Year standings. His 293 points put him withing striking distance of AOY leader, John Cox with 353 points.
“Besides dedicating myself completely to every event I enter, my goals for this season are to win ROY or to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic,” Przekurat says. “I’m feel I’m on track to accomplish both those goals right now, which would be amazing, but anything can happen when you’re fishing against the best bass anglers in the world.”
Przekurat says he couldn’t be happier with Whitewater’s products or people. “There seems to be a lot of outdoor companies filling product categories today just because they can. In my opinion Whitewater is coming to market for the right reasons. Aaron and his team want to help anglers in the same way their brands have been able to help hunters – by giving them real advantages that help them earn more success and enjoy better experiences,” Przekurat says. “From our very first meeting, they made it clear to me that they wanted and expected my feedback. Everything they’re doing from a product and technology standpoint is based on what we as anglers want and need, which is the same customer-driven model they’ve used to consistently improve and refine their ScentLok and Blocker Outdoors hunting apparel lines over the years. Whitewater has already launched several initial products, and there’s a lot more coming later this years and early next that are going to make real differences for anglers.”
Przekurat will be back in action at in Quitman, Texas, May 19-22, when the Bassmaster Elite Series descends on storied Lake Fork.
