Simms Fishing Products is traveling to Tulsa with their Pro Bass Team bolstered with three new members to tackle the world’s most important bass fishing competition—the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster® Classic.
Simms is proud to announce the signing of three new Pro Bass Team anglers—James Elam, Micah Frazier and Brett Hite. Each of them has qualified for the Bassmaster Classic tournament and has their sights set on their first championship.
Tulsa-native James Elam enters the 2016 Bassmaster Classic hoping to parlay his local knowledge of Grand Lake in the way 2015 Bassmaster Classic champion and Simms Pro Bass Team angler Casey Ashley took home the prize on his home water, Lake Hartwell.
Elam enters his fourth year as a Bassmaster Elite Series angler and to-date has 4 top-10 finishes in competition to his credit, including a Central Open win. He graduated from Oklahoma State University where he competed as a collegiate angler. “I have been looking forward to this Bassmaster Classic since it was announced. And to enter the most important tournament of my career with Simms on my side is setting me up for what I hope is a successful tournament,” says Elam.
Micah Frazier joins the Simms Team and enters his first Bassmaster Classic after spending 4 years on the FLW Tour before transitioning in 2015 to the Bassmaster Elite Series. In his rookie year, Micah had 2 top-12 finishes and his first Bassmaster Classic qualification. “I have worn Simms for years prior to joining the team. Their gear helps me excel in all fishing conditions and, in Tulsa, we are likely to see mixed weather,” says Frazier.
Brett Hite, a veteran compared to the younger Elam and Frazier, has been a professional angler for 16 years fishing both Bassmaster Elite Series and on the FLW Tour. He has qualified for 4 Bassmaster Classics and 6 FLW Forest Wood Cups. He has 5 major wins and 26 top-10’s and is currently 21st in the world rankings. Now he seeks his first Bassmaster Classic title. “All that I ever wanted to do was to be a professional angler and I have been living that dream. I have been a long time user of Simms products even before they were popular in the bass fishing market. The design and quality of Simms products gives me an advantage on the water and makes me a better angler,” says Hite.
Joining the three newcomers on the Simms Pro Bass Team is 3-time Angler of the Year (including 2015 Angler of the Year) Aaron Martens and 2015 Bassmaster Classic champion Casey Ashley. A perennial favorite in the tournament and on the heels of the most dominant season ever on the Bassmaster Elite Series, Martens seeks his first Classic trophy. He has finished runner-up four times in the tournament.
Casey Ashley leveraged his local knowledge of Lake Hartwell and came away with the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic trophy. Now, he enters the 2016 tournament with brimming confidence and a title to defend. Simms enters the 2016 competitive season with two champions of the highest order in Ashley and Martens.
Simms Pro Bass Team members Ish Monroe, Shaw Grigsby and Gary Klein will also be in attendance with scheduled appearances to interact with fans at the Simms booth at the tournament’s Expo.
At the Expo, Simms will be presenting its best of the best products for purchase, including the industry-leading ProDry™ Jacket and Bib. Built with GORE-TEX® Pro Shell technology, the jacket and bib are the most waterproof and windproof garments designed for fishing.
Simms will be stationed at Booth #1047 at the Classic. To learn more about the Simms Pro Bass Team and bass fishing gear, visit www.simmsfishing.com/bass
