Based on the 2012 U.S. Census, there were 33.1 million licensed anglers in the U.S. Of that number, 2.3 million of those licensed anglers were African-American. By 2015, The State of the African-American Consumer Report found that black buying power had reach $1.1 trillion. Yet, out of the 260+ professional bass anglers on tour in 2016 (B.A.S.S. and FLW), only 4 of them are African-American.
So, what does this mean…what does this say? Although African Americans spend billions of dollars on fishing trips and equipment every year, professional bass fishing continues to ignore this value demographic, and consistently lags behind when it comes to diversity and community outreach. Based on this glaring disparity and lack of representation, Bass Brothers Fishing was born. Bass Brothers Fishing is the brainchild of Tournament Bass Angler Darrel Thomas. It is a grassroots coalition of anglers, promoting multi-culturalism, diversity and inclusion in the world competitive bass fishing.
Darrel says, “I want the world to know that not all tournament bass anglers are southern white men. Although that may be the vast majority of what you see, we (Bass Brothers Fishing) want to change that perception, and show people that bass anglers come from all walks of life.” Darrel plans to use Bass Brothers Fishing as a platform to espouse the need for more diversity, insuring the sport’s continual growth while increasing its participation on a multi-cultural level. Their tag line is “Uniting Anglers Everywhere”. Bass Brothers Fishing is also looking to help provide some of the sport’s under-promoted tournament anglers with some much needed exposure.
The group can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BassBrothersFishingCoalition/
Also, the new Bass Brothers Fishing Performance Dri-Fit Shirts are now available to the public! This sublimated, lightweight shirt has a roomy, athletic cut and controls sweat like a champ. Double-needle sleeves and hem. 3.8-ounce, 100% polyester, and features the full color Bass Brothers Fishing logo front & back. You can even have it customized with your name on the back. These performance shirts are priced at $35.99 (plus $5 shipping). To order a shirt or get involved with the Bass Brothers Fishing coalition, please send your request to: bassbrothersfishing@outlook.com
