BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Gamakatsu, a leading manufacturer and innovator of fishing hooks and terminal tackle, has signed on as the title sponsor for the 2024 season’s first Elite Series event. The 2024 Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend will be held February 22-25 in Many, La.
“Gamakatsu is very excited to partner with B.A.S.S as the title sponsor for the first Elite event in 2024 at Toledo Bend,” said Ted Thibault, sales manager at Gamakatsu USA. “Kicking off the season in Texas should be fun for the anglers and the fans at a fishery known to produce big fish.”
A perennial favorite on Bassmaster Magazine’s annual 100 Best Bass Lakes List and one of the country’s oldest, most famous fisheries, Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Texas/Louisiana border has been one of the best big-bass factories in the world for many years, and those genes continue to thrive. When the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series visited Toledo Bend in mid-April, Texas pro Ben Milliken — who would go on to qualify for the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series — took the tournament with 77 pounds, 14 ounces — the third-heaviest total in a three-day Opens tournament in B.A.S.S. history.
Gamakatsu has deep relationships within the Elite Series ranks, with a variety of current Elite Series anglers on their pro staff, including four-time B.A.S.S. champion and Texas native Lee Livesay.
“It feels great to start the year off here at Toledo Bend,” said Livesay. “Half in Louisiana and half in Texas, I feel right at home. I loved seeing Gamakatsu as the title sponsor for this event. They are a great company to work with and I look forward to showcasing their variety of world-class fishing products.”
Live coverage of all four days of the Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend starts Thursday, Feb. 22 on Bassmaster.com, Tubi and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live with the tournament leaders beginning at 8 a.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday.
About Gamakatsu
From humble beginnings as Japan’s smallest fishing hook manufacturer in 1955, Gamakatsu® Ltd has evolved to become the world’s preeminent hook manufacturer. Over the years, manufacturing upgrades and cutting-edge innovations have fueled Gamakatsu® USA’s rise as a top producer of fishing hooks, apparel and fishing-related items.
When anglers purchase Gamakatsu® hooks, they are buying an original product made exclusively by Gamakatsu®. Gamakatsu® is continuously testing new materials and striving to improve its products, which already sets the standard for the rest of the industry.
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About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster
and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.