Tackle Trade World - March 2024

REGIONAL SALES
MANAGER LURED TO
RAPALA VMC
Mike Baumgartner has joined Rapala VMC
as its regional sales manager covering the
western United States and select national
accounts.
He will work with the firm’s retail
partners to market all brands sold in the US,
including Rapala lures, knives, apparel and
accessories, Storm, Blue Fox, Luhr-Jensen
and Williamson lures, StrikeMaster ice
fishing augers and apparel, VMC hooks
and terminal tackle, Sufix fishing line and
leaders, CrushCity soft baits and 13 Fishing
rods and reels.
Travis Tuma, vice-president of sales
for Rapala VMC, explained: “Mike
brings a deep, grassroots understanding
of what customers want and expect from
manufacturers.
“Mike’s experience, knowledge and
passion for his customers fits perfectly
into the Rapala culture. And now with
the addition of 13 Fishing and CrushCity,
we’re looking forward to growing our strong
portfolio of brands with Mike’s expertise.”
Born and raised in Minnesota, Mike has
been an avid angler and hunter his entire
life, spending hours in pursuit of walleyes,
muskies and bass but describes himself as a
true multi-species angler who enjoys fishing
year-round.
During his time at university, where
he graduated with bachelor’s degree in
marketing, Mike worked at Scheels as a
fishing and hunting sales associate, later
joining Pure Fishing as a key account
manager, where he stayed for 12 years.
Mike said: “Growing up in Minnesota,
Rapala is the most iconic brand around so,
for me, it’s a true honour to be part of the
Rapala family. I’ve been using Rapala lures
since I was a kid, so this feels like coming
full circle.”
rapalavmc.com
Sales reps unveiled
for Scott Fly Rods
The Scott Fly Rod Company has announced
that Eric Kraimer and Daniel Roberts of Red
Heron Sales will be representing the company
in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma,
USA.
The Colorado-based manufacturer, which
has been handcrafting rods since 1974, says the
pair will bring a passion for customer service,
integrity, fishing and fly tying, having earned
the trust of speciality fly shops for over two
decades.
Scott president Jim Bartschi explained:
“Eric was the first employee we hired when the
company relocated to Telluride, Colorado, from
California.
“He can actually handcraft a Scott rod, from
start to finish. Eric is not only an industry peer
but a lifelong friend and fishing buddy. That
we’ve come full circle to work together again
feels perfect.”
Red Heron also represents Simms, the
Mayfly Group, Umpqua and Buff.
info@redheronllc.com
First foray into rod market
for GSM Outdoors
The acquisition of Phenix
Rods marks shooting, knife
and lure brand owner GSM
Outdoors’ entry into the
fishing rod market.
Established in 1977, Texas,
USA-based Phenix is a brand
offering a wide range of
custom-quality rods for both
fresh- and saltwater anglers,
using the most advanced rod
building carbon technology.
Crispin Powley, GSM
senior vice president of
fishing, explained: “We were
only looking for something
special to be our flagship
brand when entering the rod
category.
“There was zero doubt
or hesitation that Phenix
was the one when the
opportunity came about.
This brand has a legacy
and tradition that is second
to none. It’s a unique and
superior product that we can’t
wait to put our resources
behind.”
Among the myriad
of brands in the GSM
Outdoors portfolio are
shooting names like
Birchwood Casey, knife
makers SOG and Cold Steel
while fishing brands include
Yamamoto Baits and Bill
Lewis Lures.
GSM CEO Edward
Castro added: “Our fishing
team was adamant that
Phenix was the perfect brand
for GSM to lead the category
with. The previous ownership
has done a tremendous job
and I feel certain that we can
elevate Phenix even more
through design, innovation,
and our distribution
channels.”
www.gsmoutdoors.com