TAMPA, Fla. — A meet-and-greet session set up at the grand opening of a Dick’s Sporting Goods store “brought out a lot of potential new members for B.A.S.S. Nation and North Tampa Bass Club,” according to Eamon Bolten, conservation director for the Florida B.A.S.S. Nation.
In late April, Bolten and other volunteers provided B.A.S.S. promotional materials, answered questions, and gave away sample baits and other products. They talked about youth and conservation, as well as the ReBaits program for recycling used plastic baits that Bolten initiated a couple of years ago.
B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin commended the Florida conservation director. “This looks like a great model for other Dick’s store openings," said Akin. "We appreciate the partnership with all involved to promote fishing.”
“Dick’s is very interested in our bass club because we are one of the oldest clubs in Florida,” said Bolten, “and it likes the fact that Florida has one of the largest B.A.S.S. Nations in the country.”
Dick’s also has sponsored the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo since 2010.