Crews news: ‘Cat, Merc 1/8/2007
BassFan previously announced that John Crews signed a sponsorship agreement with Pure Fishing, and there’s more Crews news to report today. He’s undergone a wholesale switch in his boat/motor package, and has stepped up a non-endemic relationship too. Here’s how it shakes out.
This year, Crews will run a Bass Cat powered by Mercury and MotorGuide, which replaces his former Ranger/Yamaha/Minn Kota configuration from years past. And he’s now one of the premier anglers on the Advance Auto Parts team. Advance became sponsor of BASS and Crews last year, but increased its commitment to Crews this year.
“It’s a very exciting time in my career,” Crews said. “Advance Auto Parts is stepping up from an associate sponsor to become my premier sponsor (and) will be the main logo on my boat and tournament jersey, in addition to having logos on my truck. We’re in the middle of finalizing designs for my boat, truck, and jersey. The theme will be based on Advance Auto Parts’ red-and-yellow company colors, and I assure you it’ll be unique and eye-catching.”
About his Bass Cat deal, he said: “Bass Cat and the Pierce family have a long reputation for strong support of their customers and pros. I look forward to being in a Bass Cat for many years. I’m impressed with the closeness of the ownership, dealers, customers, and pros at Bass Cat. Bass Cat is more of a family than just a boat company.”
And lastly, on Mercury and MotorGuide, he noted: “I’ve agreed to a deal with Mercury and MotorGuide. The new Mercury OptiMax Pro XS engine really impressed me the first time I drove it at the Pittsburgh Classic in 2005, and I’ve been impressed every time I’ve driven it since. (And) the MotorGuide Digital series is the trolling motor of choice for many pros, especially some of the ones who often beat me like KVD, Skeet, and Swindle.”
He was formerly a two-tour pro, but will not fish the FLW Tour this year. The move to Mercury and MotorGuide clearly makes him better aligned with BASS sponsors, since both sponsor BASS, as does Advance Auto Parts. Bass Cat is not a BASS sponsor, although Bass Cat head cheese Rick Pierce has stated many times that he prefers his anglers to fish BASS.
Today’s edition of BassFan Radio with Terry Brown features an interview Crews. To learn more about the above sponsorship deals, and the newest member of the Crews family, click here.