Skeeter Products, Inc., manufacturer of Skeeter brand boats, is coming off a tremendous showing during the Bassmaster Classic, featuring its Classic Champion, Alton Jones; runner-up, Cliff Pace; in addition to a 4^th place finish by Bobby Lane; an 8th place finish by Clark Reehm; and two additional top 25 finishes in Jared Lintner and Todd Faircloth.

As an Official Boat Sponsor of BASS, Skeeter executives and its team of professional anglers applaud BASS for finally allowing Classic competitors to fish from their own boats during competition, a decision that has been beneficial to both BASS sponsors and anglers. Several anglers took the time to thank BASS for this decision during the Bassmaster Classic weigh-in show.

“This was the next logical step in providing anglers and sponsors with increased brand-building opportunities,” says Tom Ricks, General Manager/Vice President of BASS. “The enhancement will provide anglers with the opportunity to build viable careers, and we believe they will take full advantage of it,” Ricks concluded.

Classic Champion Alton Jones likens the decision to giving each angler home field advantage during competition. “It gave me an advantage from a competition standpoint, and a performance standpoint. In my Skeeter 20i-Class, I have everything organized exactly as I need it, from the location of my tackle, to the layout of my rods,” says Jones. “It increases my efficiency ten-fold,” says the Waco, Texas native.

“Additionally, each angler sets his or her boat up to meet their own personalized performance standards, from the prop, horsepower, electronics, trolling motor, etc. In running a new boat, or sponsor boat, on the final day of competition, you can never get the comfort level that you’ll find in your own rig,” says Jones.

Each of the eight Skeeter anglers fishing in the Classic noted their own boat’s  performance, as foul weather made for difficult fishing conditions during the tournament. “My 20i-Class handled well in the rough water, andprovided a comfortable and stable fishing platform in open water,” says Jared Lintner, who fished deep troughs and structures.

Skeeter’s Clark Reehm used his Skeeter to troll the shallow banks of Lake Hartwell. “The performance of the boat was great, but knowing that you are running a reliable product is a benefit,” says Reehm. According to 4^th place finisher, Bobby Lane, “we definitely followed Skeeter’s motto throughout the entire tournament – Eat. Sleep. Fish.”

Jones added that he was able to quickly get his 20i-Class on plane, and outrun the hoards of spectator boats following the Classic competitors. The tournament veteran also says that during the past 20 years, final day competitors would have to set-up and arrange their gear in a sponsor boat, taking much needed time away from preparation, and giving anglers more to worry about. “I feel that I am one of the most organized competitors onthe tournament trail, so using my own boat definitely gives me peace of mind,” says Jones.

“This was one of the key factors in Skeeter coming on-board as an Official Boat Sponsor of BASS,” says Skeeter’s Director of Marketing, Trey White. “It gives us more opportunities to promote the Skeeter brand, including our products and our anglers, and helps to build brand loyalty among current and potential Skeeter owners,” says White.

According to Bassmaster Classic runner-up, and fellow Skeeter teammate, Cliff Pace, it gives an angler more time to prepare for competition. “Running my own boat allows me to prepare for the tournament several days out, and often from the comfort of my own home, rather than the boat yard on-site,” says Pace. “If you take a white-collar worker from his or her office, and place them in someone else’s office for a day, that person will certainly feel out of place,” says the angler.

Skeeter Products, Inc. makes fishing and boating fun and rewarding with owner’s tournaments, tournament incentives, and a top-notch dealer network. Skeeter, celebrating its 60th Anniversary, manufactures innovative and high-performing bass, walleye, fish & ski and saltwater boats. Skeeter is the recipient of six consecutive CSI customer satisfaction awards, and its boats are NMMA certified to meet strict U.S. Coast Guard and American Boat & Yacht Council standards. To order a catalog call (800) SKEETER, or visit www.skeeterboats.com.