Falcon Rods joins College B.A.S.S.

Falcon Rods has signed on as the Exclusive Rod Sponsor of Mercury College B.A.S.S. for the 2011-2012 season.

CELEBRATION, Fla. — Falcon Rods has signed on as the Exclusive Rod Sponsor of Mercury College B.A.S.S. for the 2011 and 2012 seasons, B.A.S.S. announced today.

“We are enthusiastic to team with the top names in fishing to support the next generation of tournament anglers,” said Chris Beckwith, vice president of Falcon Rods.

Since 1990, Falcon Rods has designed and built quality rods with more guides, lighter weight, better balance and with specific actions for specific tasks.

“Everybody at Falcon remains dedicated to the goal of making sure Falcon anglers have the best tools to win their next tournament whether it’s a national event, a local event, or just me and my fishing buddy having a good day on the water,” said John Beckwith, founder of Falcon Rods.

Recent developments in the college circuit prove that young anglers are charging toward the future of bass fishing.

Last month, Stephen F. Austin University student Andrew Upshaw of Hemphill, Texas, qualified as the first collegiate-level angler to compete in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La., Feb. 22-24, 2012. He will fish against top Bassmaster Elite Series anglers — including four-time Bassmaster Classic winner and seven-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam — and winners from 2011 Opens events, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation events presented by Yamaha and Skeeter Boats, and the 2011 champion of the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series operated by American Bass Anglers. The 2012 Bassmaster Classic champion will take home a check for $500,000.

Sponsors such as Mercury Marine, Bass Pro Shops and now Falcon Rods have joined the circuit, and ESPNU has signed on to televise Mercury College B.A.S.S. events.

“We are extremely excited to add Falcon Rods as a sponsor of Mercury College B.A.S.S. Their dedication to growing the sport is evident in their partnership with us. With their help, we will continue to grow Mercury College B.A.S.S. as the premier college circuit in bass fishing,” said Hank Weldon, director of Mercury College B.A.S.S.

Be sure to catch all the 2011 Mercury College B.A.S.S. action on ESPNU, now through Sept. 4 (check local listings), and follow coverage of the 2012 season at Bassmaster.com.

To learn more about Falcon Rods, go to falconrods.com.

For more information about the Mercury College B.A.S.S. circuit, visit Bassmaster.com/college.