MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. (September 29, 2020) – Bass Cat Boats, a leading manufacturer of tournament-ready, high-performance bass boats, has added Glendale, Arizona pro Tai Au to the company’s national pro staff. Au wasted no time in putting his new boat to use, winning the season-ending Western Toyota Series event on Clear Lake out of it, and thereby earning the circuit’s points title for the year. Au won the first and last of the three western series tournaments and finished 10th in the middle one, thereby dominating the overall standings. Next year he intends to fish the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit.
Au is running Bass Cat’s Cougar FTD/ 203 Hybrid, a boat made to tame the biggest waves any bass fishery can offer, while also remaining remarkably nimble.
“I’m not a speed demon,” said the 37 year-old angler. “My ‘fast and furious’ days are over. What I’m looking for is something well-built and stable so I don’t have to worry about making long runs in 30 mile per hour winds. On the first day at Clear Lake I was one of the last boats out and with all of the waves and random wakes and a little bit of wind from the north, I just sliced through everything. There was no boat slap at all. After 200 yards I had a huge smile on my face.” Despite the fact that speed was not a priority, he still touched the 70 mile per hour mark, and passed boats left and right.
Kevin Short, Bass Cat’s Pro Staff Director, stated that Au brings it to the table: “He’s a professional on and off the water, and in every conversation we’ve had, I’ve been impressed with his demeanor and savvy. We look forward to having him in a Bass Cat on tour next year, and we’re convinced that his value to us both nationally and regionally will only grow.”
Au admitted that he is a “pack rat” and was thrilled to be able to stick up to 40 rods in the port side locker. In his prior boat, he could only stick 18 in the port side, and had to cram another 10 into the center compartment. His 26-pound catch on Day Three to clinch the victory also allowed him to see exactly how many pounds of fish Bass Cat’s best-in-class livewells can swallow.
Bass Cat President Rick Pierce added that maintaining a sizeable foothold in western markets remains a company priority, and that starts with anglers of good character who are also solid on the water. “Tai is one of those rare gems who commands the respect of his regional competitors and has demonstrated the qualities we look for in a staffer. He’s a devoted family man as well as a superior angler.”
Indeed, Bass Cat’s commitment to his home region was a big part of what attracted Au.
“I love the fact that they’re supporting circuits and the anglers out West,” he concluded. “I’m a big advocate of supporting those companies that support us.”
About Bass Cat: Bass Cat, owned by Correct Craft, manufactures the industry’s premier bass fishing boats from its headquarters in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Family operated since its founding in 1971, Bass Cat is the longest continuously operating tournament bass boat company in the United States. For more information visit www.basscat.com.
About Correct Craft: Celebrating 94 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. Focused on “Making Life Better,” the Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, Parker, and Bryant boat companies, Pleasurecraft Marine Engine Group, Watershed Innovation and Aktion Parks. For more information please visit www.correctcraft.com