BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Falcon Rods, which has designed and built specialty rods since 1990, has signed on as the first title sponsor for the new Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year Award, B.A.S.S. announced today.
The Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year title will award a $10,000 prize to the overall points winner in the pro division. The top co-angler will have entry fees into the 2021 Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens division of their choice paid — a value of approximately $7,200.
“The 2020 Bassmaster Opens are setting up to be among the most competitive in history as some of the top names in our sport try to qualify for the 2021 Elite Series,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “We are thrilled to have Falcon Rods join us in recognizing the best of the best in both the pro and co-angler divisions.”
The 2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens features four events in two divisions — Eastern and Central — with the winners of each event earning an automatic berth into the 2021 Bassmaster Classic, provided he or she has fished all four events in that division. The Top 4 anglers from each division’s final points standings will receive an invitation to fish the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series. As a new addition, Elite Series invitations will also be extended to the Top 4 anglers from the cumulative standings for both divisions for a total of 12 invitations.
Currently, 53 anglers have registered to fish all eight tournaments; however, that is not a requirement for winning the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year title.
“We are certainly excited to be part of the first ever Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year,” said Chris Beckwith, Falcon Rods Vice President of Marketing. “The Opens format is especially interesting with a mix of anglers that includes up and comers and some of the best in the world, like Jason Christie. The race for the Falcon Rods AOY award has the makings for one of the most dramatic competitions in fishing.”
The 2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens kick off this week with the first Eastern Open event on Florida’s renowned Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Jan. 15-17.
