FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
High
School Fishing:
A
Different Breed of Pro
Today’s student-anglers (and coaches) see value in
networking
Park Falls, WI (May 18, 2018) – Will
Simmons planned to be fishing by lunchtime; maybe just a little after. A
transplanted crappie fisherman turned bass nut, and now coach of the Obion
County Central High School (OCCHS) fishing team, Simmons was en route to his
first fishing photoshoot. Together with Cody Gregory, a stand-out member of the
OCCHS team, Simmons was on his way to meet with photographers and marketing
execs for St. Croix Rods, who chose nearby Reelfoot Lake for the job at hand.
Simmons and Gregory figured
they’d knock out the shoot in a couple hours and be free to spend the evening
casting for bass. How hard could it be?
“We were quickly surprised,”
Simmons reflected, “on how much went into that shoot.” Plans for a relaxing day
on the lake were immediately cancelled.
Neither Simmons nor Gregory
were disappointed, however, and used the opportunity to learn everything they
could about the business of fishing. “It was real eye-opener, and a great
experience,” Gregory reflected. A former Tennessee State Champion, Gregory
recently received a fishing scholarship to attend Bethel University, one of the
nation’s premier fishing-supportive schools.
“I’m working toward a
business degree, and I want to get a job in the fishing industry,” Gregory
added. “If I can’t be a (tournament) pro, I may look into a rep position.”
Gregory added that the St. Croix shoot “wasn’t as easy as it looks. A lot goes
into these types of things behind the scenes. They sure require a lot of
patience…”
“St. Croix has an incredible
camera crew,” Simmons added. Agreeing to take part in the event was an easy
move for the coach, as he wanted to learn more about ways to network with the
legendary rod builder. “I wanted to talk about developing a relationship
between St. Croix and our team. The Mojo line, for example, is really appealing
for high school and college anglers. This week, I fished a bunch with the new Mojo Power Shake rod (MJS73MHF) and was
blown away with the combination of finesse and power. I really look forward to
using a Power Shake for fishing around the bushes of Kentucky Lake.”
For some time, St. Croix has
realized the need for high-quality gear at all price points, to fit into any
budget. Recently, the Bass X series (casting and spinning) joined the Mojo
Bass line (casting and spinning) with tournament-grade gear priced
for student athletes.
Cody Gregory – now also a
top-5 finisher in the bass fishing National Championships – has long been a St.
Croix fan. “I’ve used them since I started fishing,” he added. “St. Croix rods
have always been top of the line, but the new models are in a class of their
own. The Dock Sniper is instantly one of my favorites.” A true specialty rod,
the Mojo Dock Sniper (MJC70HF) combines
heavy-power and fast action in a seven-foot frame, making it ideal for
tournament winning dock tactics using casting jigs and stout line.
In addition to being
technical about his fishing, Gregory’s recent photoshoot experience illustrates
his passion for other aspects of a fishing career: “I jumped at the
opportunity,” he said, when it came to the St. Croix invite. Now armed with
even more knowledge and experience in fishing, Gregory will continue to push
hard, looking to again qualify for Nationals this April.
Simmons also sees the recent
event as a means to learn more of the fishing business. “In the future, we’re
going to try to be more appealing to colleges and aspire to work more closely
with Bethel University. This photo shoot can only help those efforts.”
As student fishing expands,
so does the commitment to the cause by manufacturers like St. Croix Rods, with
support at all levels of the movement.
#stcroixrods
About St. Croix Rod
Now in its 70th year, Park
Falls, Wisconsin based St. Croix Rod remains a family-owned and managed
manufacturer of high-performance fishing rods with a heritage of USA
manufacturing. Utilizing proprietary technologies, St. Croix controls every
step of the rod-making process, from conception and design to manufacturing and
inspection, in two company-owned facilities. The company offers a complete line
of premium, American-made fly, spinning and casting rods under their Legend
Elite®, Legend® Xtreme, Legend Tournament®, Avid Series®, Premier®, Wild
River®, Tidemaster®, Imperial® and other trademarks through a global
distribution network of full-service fishing tackle dealers. The company’s
mid-priced Triumph®, Mojo Bass/Musky/Inshore/Surf, Eyecon® and Rio Santo series
rods are designed and engineered in Park Falls, Wisconsin and built in a new,
state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Fresnillo, Mexico. Founded in 1948
to manufacture jointed bamboo fishing poles for a Minneapolis hardware store
chain, St. Croix has grown to become the largest manufacturer of fishing rods
in North America.
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