Yarcraft News Archives - Yar-Craft Boats

BASS CAT AND YAR-CRAFT CELEBRATE CORRECT CRAFT’S 100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

yarcraftboats — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:26:06 +0000

MOUNTAIN HOME, AR (January 15^th, 2025) – Correct Craft is celebrating 100 years of innovation and excellence, and Bass Cat and Yar-Craft Boats are proud to honor this milestone as part of the Correct Craft family. Known for their dedication to quality and performance, Bass Cat and Yar-Craft have been building boats designed for unforgettable moments on the water for decades.

Bass Cat, founded in 1971, has been a trusted name among bass anglers, while Yar-Craft, established in 1969, has earned a reputation as a leader in multi-species fishing. Since joining the Correct Craft family in 2015, both brands have continued to grow and innovate, maintaining a shared commitment to excellence and serving the boating community.

Correct Craft CEO Bill Yeargin recently visited the Bass Cat and Yar-Craft manufacturing facility in Mountain Home, Arkansas, to celebrate the centennial alongside the team. The visit highlighted the collaborative relationship between the brands and their collective dedication to delivering the best to their customers.

“Correct Craft’s 100-year anniversary is a significant achievement, and Bass Cat and Yar-Craft are proud to celebrate this moment with them,” said Cody Blair, President of Bass Cat and Yar-Craft. “This partnership thrives because of a shared passion for quality, innovation, and the people we serve. Bass Cat and Yar-Craft look forward to building on this legacy and continuing to grow together.”

This celebration is not just about recognizing history but also about looking to the future. Bass Cat and Yar-Craft remain committed to delivering the highest-quality boats while upholding the values that have defined their legacy for generations.

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 only bass boat company with over five decades of family involvement throughout its long history. For more information visit www.basscat.com.

About Correct Craft: Celebrating 100 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 Ingenity boat companies, Pleasurecraft Engine Group, Indmar Marine Engines, Velvet Drive Transmissions, Mach Connections, Merritt Precision, Osmosis, Watershed Innovation, and Aktion Parks. For more information, please visit www.correctcraft.com

TWO NEW MODELS UNVEILED FOR BASS CAT & YAR-CRAFT BOATS

yarcraftboats — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 19:29:37 +0000

Strong Additions To The 20′ Categories

(Branson, MO) Two new models debuted last week at this year’s Excellence In Action international dealer conference. Both brands will receive a bump to their 20′ offerings and the initial reactions have been outstanding.

On the heels of the most successful model release in the company’s 50-plus-year history, the Caracal STS had the tall task of standing with its extremely popular counterpart, the Puma STS. After initial dealer and public comment, this boat has done so with flying colors.

Interior styling updates enclose a well-thought-out layout that maximizes efficiency, particularly on the front deck. Spacious rod flats ensure your rotation stays safe and organized as you open and close the adjacent lids. Center boxes encase storage pockets as well as a net scabbard to keep gear at the ready. Even more impressive is how well this 96″ wide platform handles in all conditions. It joins the ranks of the other two Premium models that boast the STS (Soft Touch Series) hull with speed and handling that’s synonymous with the STS lineup.

Yar-Craft unveiled Project “Abby” last Monday which began three years ago to offer a high-performing tournament machine like that of the award-winning 219 TFX. The new 210 TFX has actually grown in both front and rear deck space without sacrificing the legendary ride of the 209 TFX that it’s replacing. A full Reflex floor with terrain styling looks very appealing. All-glass lid construction will accompany brand new internal assemblies, including a full-width transom that mimics the leading design of all Bass Cat builds.

Rick Pierce was very pleased with the conference as well as the reception from both brands towards the new models.

“Within this model year the Caracal STS will become noticed often at events across the country. Everyone seemed pleased with the floor plan template, while both ride and performance got accolades in the debut. We kept the Caracal name for the new STS series, as it has always represented our branching off of existing models. Usually, the Caracal was a hot rod and this was the initiative back in 1985, on with Caracal II through the early 90’s. The last and present Caracal was a template off the larger beam in the 2nd Jaguar design.

The team had a blank canvas to work with for the 210 TFX as “Project Abby”. In the end they wound up with a baby 219, keeping some features from the 219 TFX, and changing some things to accommodate a recreational base. The new billet aluminum rails are an option enhanced by the quad stereo with a sub-woofer. The consoles are different in that they retain their own graph and the windscreens are a different brand than previous with a more diverse style including a tool and cup holder shelf, that give the 210 TFX it’s own flare.”

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 *********@**********ft.com%257Cae87c6c2403e41eee38e08d931a65c1c%257Ca6079ec5c158442384dc660be5bb959a%257C0%257C0%257C637595412851926545%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0=%257C1000&sdata=dLiavalvLV35TQg3lM5ko70183kGxLz6q65BFTl62Gc=&reserved=0″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” aria-label=”www.basscat.com – opens in new tab” data-uw-rm-brl=”false” data-uw-rm-ext-link=”” data-cke-saved-href=”https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https://basscat.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d864c75e5017bf57b3a4a93b0&id=e03db7baf8&e=c89a1a804f&data=04%257C01%25*********@**********ft.com%257Cae87c6c2403e41eee38e08d931a65c1c%257Ca6079ec5c158442384dc660be5bb959a%257C0%257C0%257C637595412851926545%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0=%257C1000&sdata=dLiavalvLV35TQg3lM5ko70183kGxLz6q65BFTl62Gc=&reserved=0″>www.basscat.com.

About Yar-Craft: Celebrating over 50 years of excellence in the marine industry, Yar-Craft (owned by Correct Craft) is the premier walleye fishing boat in the world, known for excellent craftsmanship and customer service. For more information visit www.yarcraft.com.

About Correct Craft: Celebrating 98 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 Ingenity boat companies, Pleasurecraft Engine Group, Indmar Marine Engines, Velvet Drive Transmissions, Mach Connections, Merritt Precision, Osmosis, Watershed Innovation, and Aktion Parks. For more information, please visit www.correctcraft.com

210 TFX – Learn More

BASS CAT AND YAR-CRAFT EMPLOYEES WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPORT LOCAL ADOPTION AGENCY

Joe Okada — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 16:28:58 +0000

BAXTER COUNTY, AR (April 13, 2022) – Last month, Bass Cat and Yar-Craft employees participated in The CALL of Baxter County Diaper Drive. Employees were encouraged to donate diapers of all sizes to local families in need. The Bass Cat and Yar-Craft team responded in an overwhelming way, donating 110 boxes of diapers!

At the end of 2021, Bass Cat and Yar-Craft employees worked together to form a Volunteer Committee. They voted on four agencies in the local community to support in either volunteer or donation opportunities. The first agency selected by the employees was The CALL of Baxter County, which actively recruits, trains, and helps foster and adoptive parents.

Bass Cat and Yar-Craft HR Manager Heather Curtis stated, “We are so proud of our employees uniting together and collecting over 100 boxes of diapers to donate to The CALL, and we look forward to watching our employees continue to support our community throughout the remainder of this year.”

About Correct Craft: Celebrating 97 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

RANDY GAINES WIRES UP A LAKE MCCONAUGHY VICTORY

Joe Okada — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 16:21:46 +0000

Mountain Home, AR (8.31.21) – All eyes were on Captain Randy Gaines as he harnessed his vast trolling wisdom to overcome a stubborn Lake McConaughy last week. The entire Head2Head field was greeted with multiple cold fronts, flash flooding and heavy winds that put the local walleye population into their usual pre-tournament funk.

Randy was quick to identify the negative mood of the fish and went into his bag of tricks that deliver consistent results on his home body of water, Lake Erie. This is where the Ohio resident operates Nibble This Charters, as well as where he has been able to fine-tune his trolling programs over the past 25 years. A popular trolling method on Lake Erie utilizes weighted wire line to deliver various baits to depths they could never attain without assistance. Gaines stuck with Salmo Hornets on his wire line program to persuade several large walleyes into getting their weight recorded before releasing them back to the sandy depths. The end result? Another notch in Randy’s trophy cabinet.

“My head is still reeling from my recent Head2Head win at Lake McConaughy in Ogallala NE”, expressed Gaines. He went on to elaborate on how instrumental his Yar-Craft is to his trolling success. “As I reflect over the event it has become ever apparent that my 219TFX Yar-Craft played an integral part in my victory. At times the wave conditions would cause most boats to be restricted to only trolling one direction. The unique design of my 219TFX’s performance hull allowed me to precisely troll any course I plotted, with the waves, against, or any combination of quartering, my boat simply ignored the conditions and stayed on a laser-straight course.”

Bass Cat & Yar-Craft President, Rick Pierce, watched Randy inch closer towards the finish line all week and applauds him for his well-earned victory. “We are all very proud of Randy, not only for his win last week, but also his dedication to Yar-Craft and his natural ability to put his passion for fishing on display which is an inspiration to so many people.”

If you’re interested in improving your trolling game, or just fishing knowledge in general, look no further than a trip with Nibble This Charters and Captain Randy Gaines. You will not be disappointed!

About Bass Cat: Bass Cat, owned by Correct Craft, manufactures the industry’s premier bass fishing boats from its headquarters in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Celebrating 50 years of Family operation 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 96 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, and Parker boat companies, Pleasurecraft Marine Engine Group, Watershed Innovation and Aktion Parks. For more information please visit www.correctcraft.com.

A STRONG MONTH FOR YAR-CRAFT ANGLERS

Joe Okada — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 16:19:33 +0000

MOUNTAIN HOME, AR (6.18.21) – The month of June has seen some impressive victories for our Yar-Craft team. We would like to shine some light on these anglers who continue to excel in the waters up north.

Tyler Wolden is one of the hottest sticks competing on the AIM Walleye Series. He took home top honors earlier this month at the National Shootout on Lake Petenwell in central Wisconsin. Tyler and teammate Nate Leininger always seem to be in contention. He credits his 2095BTX as an essential tool to their success.

“My new 2021 Yar-Craft 2095 BTX has been a dream boat for me and the way I like to fish. Be it hunting for walleyes off the bow with LiveScope or back trolling in big waves with the big motor. The trusty 2095 BTX powered by my Mercury 200v6 4-Stroke has been a critical factor to my tournament success over the years. I’m most grateful for the reliability of such a well-built, wave-crushing, fiberglass tiller boat. I know and trust that each day I dump my Yar-Craft in the water I’m equipped to tackle any conditions in front of me with ease and precision.”

Josh Blosser intends on carrying the momentum from his recent Head 2 Head victory on Mille Lacs into the next event on the Mississippi River. Blosser was determined to capitalize on an afternoon feeding window in an incredible rally to overcome fellow Yar-Craft angler Joe Okada. Yar-Craft Northern Sales Manager Brett King also found himself in the mix with a solid 6th place finish. This is Josh’s first major victory as he approaches his second season behind the wheel of the 219 TFX.

“I can’t recall ever fishing an event that was more draining both physically and mentally. The intensity of the PWS format is already at a new level. Then you add in being 1 on 1 with one of the best anglers in walleye fishing. Just makes this win even more special.”

Blosser went on to say,” This is my second year running a Yar-Craft 219. This boat amazes me every day I take it out fishing. The top cap layout is second to none. All of the useful storage on this boat allows me to bring my whole arsenal with to be able to adapt to changing conditions and tactics throughout my day. Then add in the fantastic ride, this boat has truly helped me level up my angling skills and keeps me a step above my competition.”

After acquiring Yar-Craft in 2012, Bass Cat & Yar-Craft Boats President, Rick Pierce, is pleased to see his brand in use by many top competitors. “Yar-Craft has compiled an excellent walleye angling group. On a week Bass Cat celebrates a back-to-back Bassmaster Classic win, Josh Blosser and Joe Okada go one on one in H2H Pro Walleye. What better finish than Joe and Josh clashing with Josh leading in the end by 15 ounces. Then we cap that off with Tyler Wolden winning the AIM Walleye Series and we’ve had a stupendous run recently.

Randy Gaines, Brett King, Tyler Wolden, Josh and more are solid and solid in their character. We are look for a bright week on future walleye events.”

Yar-Craft is proud of these two anglers and their great accomplishments this month. There’s no doubt you’ll continue hearing more about them as the season progresses. If you own a Yar-Craft, make sure you’re registered for the QUEST Tournament Rewards program to take advantage of additional performance bonuses in sanctioned events near you.

BASS CAT & YAR-CRAFT BOATS WINS ETHICS AWARD

Joe Okada — Tue, 19 May 2020 16:17:21 +0000

LITTLE ROCK, ARK – Bass Cat & Yar-Craft Boats was announced as a Torch Award for Ethics recipient by the Arkansas Better Business Bureau.

This Torch Award for Ethics is designed to honor Arkansas companies that demonstrate high standards of business practices aimed to create trust among employees, customers and their communities. This award seeks to spotlight and celebrate these commitments made by businesses such as Bass Cat & Yar-Craft.

Bass Cat & Yar-Craft was honored with the Torch Award for Ethics due to its mission of Making Life Better for everyone they’re in contact with. Its culture focuses on people, performance, and philanthropy (the organization’s identity pyramid). Bass Cat & Yar-Craft is a company that has and will continue to provide products that will bring many memories to countless families for years to come.

Correct Craft Identity Pyramid

Bass Cat & Yar-Craft unites employees and reinforces our business’ values by providing employees an opportunity to participate in annual mission trips. This heart of service and go around the world with the other Correct Craft brands to places like Mexico, Dominican Republic, Uganda, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and more. Volunteering is important to Bass Cat and for this years’ service trip, Bass Cat’s sister companies are coming to Arkansas.

Rewards and recognition for their employees are an import piece in the Bass Cat & Yar-Craft culture that integrates performance, high character and ethical behavior. When Bass Cat and & Yar-Craft achieve milestones and/or budgets are met, a portion of the profit is shared with every employee, no matter the level, through bonuses. Rewards and recognition that integrate performance and high character include spontaneously handing out a variety of gift cards when an employee is seen performing above and beyond measure, completing a task that isn’t in their job duties or taking that extra step to be safe when they think no one is watching.

Bass Cat has partnered with ASUMH creating a CCT Program, a program geared toward the boat building industry to assist with employing skilled candidates. This opportunity is one to train an improved workforce, trying to reduce attrition in our workforces and give those coming on board.

Rick Pierce, President of Bass Cat & Yar-Craft stated, “It is an honor for our team to be recognized by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), our mission is always ‘do the right thing’. It means everything to our consumers. The BBB indicated that everything from our mission trips to our video series “Who Took You Fishing” struck a chord with them on our culture. Culture is everything here and we accept the challenge to represent the ethical standard that the BBB is well known for. We hope we are able to continue and achieve those standards.”

About Correct Craft: Celebrating 95 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.

YAR-CRAFT 219 TFX WINS TOP PRODUCTS AWARD

Joe Okada — Mon, 04 May 2020 16:14:20 +0000

Mountain Home, AR (May 4th, 2020) – A brand new 219 TFX made quite the splash during its debut over the winter months, earning an innovation award and exceeding public expectations along the way. On May 1st, the flagship model from Yar-Craft won a second award from Boating Magazine as one of the Top Products for 2020.

Redesigned internal assemblies including an all-fiberglass transom that extends the entire width of the boat, along with several interior improvements were key details that caught the attention from one of the premier media companies in the boating industry. An increased horsepower rating to 400 H.P. is a direct result of the new construction process that follows suit with sister company, Bass Cat Boats. Almost two years of R&D went into enhancing its layout to better suit a very demanding segment of multi-species anglers.

Bass Cat & Yar-Craft President, Rick Pierce, is thrilled to have this model recognized for the second time this year. “We appreciate the consideration of Boating Magazine and are extremely satisfied from the early feedback coming in from the first group of owners. Trying to satisfy angler demands from coast to coast in one model is no easy task and we are very thankful for our entire team with the final outcome”.

219 TFX Innovation Gallery

219 TFX Product Information

YAR-CRAFT 219 TFX WINS MINNEAPOLIS INNOVATION AWARD

Joe Okada — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 16:03:55 +0000

Minneapolis, MN (January 23, 2020) – Today, the Yar-Craft 219 TFX was presented the 2020 Progressive Insurance Minneapolis Innovation Award with one of its first public appearance at the Minneapolis Boat Show.

The Minneapolis Innovation Awards honor organizations who bring new, innovative products in the boating industry to market. Judges were impressed with the Yar-Craft 219 TFX’s rulers that gives access to the net scabbard in the all-new fiberglass console. The 219 TFX mirrors the famous Bass Cat construction process for the unibody hull that thrives in big water conditions. The interior deck offers an ample amount of space with storage compartments throughout its all-fiberglass construction and the newly pitched rear deck and cockpit provides comfort and safety for standing water conditions

Rick Pierce, President of Bass Cat and Yar-Craft stated, “What an honor it is to receive this award as Yar-Craft comes out of our 50^th year! We have an amazing team that developed the new 219 TFX. Just like the 2095 BTX, we went to the culture and roots we are known for in bass boats and created a new platform in the multi-species world. This is extremely rewarding for our crew that worked hard over a year and a half on this design. Our entire team earned this recognition and now we can step beyond this. We have more in the hopper down the line and this energizes us as we bring those models forward in years to come.”

“Yar-Craft has brought unique design improvements and quality manufacturing elements together in their 219TFX. A monocoque, uni-body Iike built, multi-species boat delivers a strong, efficient hull combined with a full featured deck to serve a variety of anglers needs,” said Innovation Awards’ Judge Bill Gius.

Judges for the award were as follows: Brady Kay an Executive Editor of Pontoon & Deck Boat and Great Lakes Boating Magazines, Bill Gius owner of Country Consulting (a marine industry firm), and Adam Quandt a Managing Editor of Boating Industry.

View the new 219 TFX HERE

219 TFX Innovation Photo Gallery

BRETT KING EARNS AOY TITLE

Joe Okada — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 16:00:39 +0000

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – Brett King of Hager City, Wisconsin, is almost certain that he put more miles on his boat and motor this year than anyone else on the National Walleye Tour, but in the end his decision to put his Yar-Craft 219 TFX to the test proved worthwhile as he earned the circuit’s Angler of the Year title by 3 points.

The 20-year veteran of the marine industry joined Yar-Craft this year as a regional sales manager with an eye on solidifying the brand’s presence in the Upper Midwest. In the end, his performance spoke for itself, and served to bolster Yar-Craft’s already sterling reputation for fishability, construction and rough water ride.

While King’s overall performance was better than that of anyone else in the nearly 200-man field, his season had its share of speed bumps. Despite the varied obstacles, he finished in the top 10 in three of four tournaments, including a win, avoided bombs, and made critical daily and hourly adjustments.

The circuit was scheduled to start on the Upper Mississippi River, “right in my backyard,” he said, but weather conditions forced a move to Lake Winnebago, a body of water that he called “my nemesis.” Nevertheless, he cashed a 10^th place check and got the season off to a solid start.

Next the field moved to Saginaw Bay, and that marked the first of the season’s series of brutally long runs, including 100-mile one-way pilgrimages that put his equipment to the test. “If anyone made longer runs that I did, I’d be very surprised,” he said. They proved worthwhile, thought, as he claimed the win.

The third stop was at Devil’s Lake in North Dakota, and as the AOY leader King started to feel a little bit of pressure. Despite a solid strategy that included “Plans A, B, C and D,” his first day effort left him in 96^th place. On Day Two, though, he mounted a massive comeback and climbed over 60 places. While ceding the AOY lead temporarily to Yar-Craft Advertising Coordinator Joe Okada, he stayed within reach of the trophy, falling only to third. “I was back in the conversation,” he said. Okada ended the year in 3^rd overall.

The season concluded on Lake of the Woods, where a slot limit allowing only fish under 19 ½ inches or over 28 inches to be kept presented an additional challenge. “Both kinds of fish were at a premium,” King said, so he intended to fish conservatively, and caught five solid 2-pounders which constituted the second biggest limit on Day One, thereby putting him back in the AOY lead. That inspired him to take a risk on Day Two, leaving the shallows to chase a big bite early.

“I caught one about 30 inches,” he recalled of his Day Two performance. “When that fish hit the floor and I saw that it was well over 28 inches, I knew I was going to fish tomorrow. It just got real.” He had the biggest bag of the tournament that day, but with eventual AOY runner-up Tom Kemos still in 12^th place, King had to maintain 8^th place or better to earn the title. On Day Three he once again gambled on an early over, but had to leave at 10:30 just to catch unders. He’d caught two between 27 and 27 ½ inches just before that and was afraid that they would “pull me in” and lead him to self-destruct, so he ran about 8 miles and quickly put five small fish in the box.

He felt that he needed 9 ½ pounds to be safe, and as fate would have it he was stuck on 9 pounds for what seemed like an eternity. “One of the things that I’m known for his patience, for grinding them out,” he said, but at 2pm he finally couldn’t stand it any longer and made a short move. Ten minutes later he caught a 2-pounder, putting him at or above 10 pounds, at which point he “packed up and headed home,” knowing that he would be crowned champion.

King said that he could not have achieved this lifelong goal without the support of the Yar-Craft team and the quality of his boat.

“It all comes back to confidence in your equipment,” he said. “I never had to worry about getting home. I had zero failures with my Yar-Craft and Yamahas, and I probably put on a record number of miles.”

While the thrill of a superior season is still sinking in, King is already thrilled to be contributing to a new 219 TFX, to be seen at upcoming boat shows. He said it will build upon the features of the 219 TFX he ran this year, with a few updated touches.

“At Bass Cat and Yar-Craft, everyone who contributes to the design of our boats is as passionate about fishing as our customers,” said President Rick Pierce. “We build boats to win championships at all levels, and we are thrilled that Brett was able to take his Yar-Craft to victory lane in his first year on our staff. We’re sure he has many more successes in his future.”

About Yar-Craft: Celebrating over 46 years of excellence in the marine industry, Yar-Craft (owned by Correct Craft) is the premier walleye fishing boat in the world known for excellent craftsmanship and customer service. For more information visit www.yarcraft.com.

About Correct Craft: Celebrating 94 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. The Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, and Bryant boat companies, Pleasurecraft Marine Engine Group, Watershed Innovations, and Aktion Parks. For more information please visit www.correctcraft.com.

YAR-CRAFT OWNERS COMMAND TOP SPOTS AT SAGINAW BAY NWT

Joe Okada — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 15:54:11 +0000

Yar-Craft Owners Command Top Spots at Saginaw Bay NWT

Regional Sales Manager Brett King wins, Advertising Coordinator Joe Okada Second

June 18th, 2018

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – The second National Walleye Tour (NWT) tournament of the 2018 season welcomed over 100 boats to Saginaw Bay Michigan on June 14 and 15, and when the scales closed on Friday, Brett King of Hager City, Wisconsin, a regional sales manager for Yar-Craft Boats took home top honors with a two-day catch that totaled 49.83. For his win, he was rewarded with over $59,000 worth of prizes. King edged out Joe Okada of Cambridge, Wisconsin, Yar-Craft’s advertising coordinator, by a mere .12 pounds. Fellow Yar-Craft owner Randy Gaines of Salem, Ohio, finished 11th.

King now leads the Anglers of the Year race, and Okada sits in 5th overall.

All three anglers commented that their Yar-Crafts played a crucial role in their success. King literally finished rigging his new 219TFX the night before he left for Bay City. As the practice period progressed, he continued to push outwards in search of the winning fish.

“The farther away you look, the less time you have to catch them,” he said. “But I knew that I had the right equipment to get me to the fish and back. I can’t say enough about how well my rig handled Lake Huron with amazing fishability to boot.” He traveled approximately 80 miles from downtown Bay City both days. With minutes left on the final day of competition, two upgrades on consecutive casts enabled him to edge out Okada for the win. This was his first NWT victory.

“We hired Brett to put Yar-Craft on the map,” said Bass Cat President Rick Pierce. “I’d say that this victory will go a long way in making that happen.”

Okada, a student in the emerging Great Lakes casting techniques that have seen increased traction in recent years, has been fishing out of a Yar-Craft since 2012. Once again, he credited the boat with enabling him to maximize his efficiency.

“I was fortunate to win the first event I ever fished out of a Yar-Craft,” he said. “That happened to be a Great Lakes event and ever since I’ve had nothing but the utmost confidence in its ability to go the extra mile regardless of the conditions. The past three seasons we’ve pushed these boats in long-distance marathons, I have never been let down. I’m thankful to work for a group of people who understand the fishing game as well as they understand the art of boat building.”

Like King, Gaines was putting the finishing touches on his boat the night before practice started. With less than 10 hours of seat time on this one, he didn’t even flinch at the prospect of a 70-mile daily round trip. He credited the trolling performance of his new boat as essential to his success. Quartering with the large swells his 219 could tack precisely to eliminate the surge and keep his tracking on point.

“This hull simply does things others can’t do,” Gaines commented. “I rotate lots of customers through my boat each year and I’m amazed by how often they comment on how well these boats handle the Great Lakes. Invariably, each year a few of them become Yar-Craft owners themselves.”

Pierce is thrilled at how well his company’s relatively recent acquisition has fit into the existing game plan: “We’ve talked about the ‘Bass Cat Family’ for a long time,” he said. “And you might expect me to say that we now have a ‘Yar-Craft Family,’ too, but the reality is that we all exist under the same umbrella. We put the same attention to detail into every boat we build, and we are proud that many of the best anglers in the world depend on them for their success.”

About Correct Craft: Celebrating 93 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. The Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, and Bryant boat companies, Pleasurecraft Engine Group, and Aktion Parks. For more information please visit www.correctcraft.com.