Mark Martin Crowned Rapala Angler of the
Year for 2001
Minnetonka, MN:Professional walleye angler Mark
Martin of Twin Lake, Michigan, has been named 2001 Rapala
Angler of the Year by the Rapala VMC Group.
The award recognizes Martin's role in fishing with
and promoting Rapala lures in In-Fisherman Professional Walleye
Trail (PWT) tournaments, in Operation Walleye's RCL tournament
series as well as in seminars and clinics. For his efforts, Martin
received $5000, and the company placed a plaque with his name
on it in the lobby of Rapala VMC headquarters.
Above Photo is of Mark Martin (left) and Mark Fisher, Rapala's
director of field promotions.
"Rapala's attitude toward the professional fisherman
is great," Martin said. "They know there's a working relationship
between us and them. They have lures they want us to test and
give the feedback to the people in Finland, who need a staff who
fishes as hard as they do. The Rapala family has done the same‹they've
carved out lures and fished every day for pleasure and sustenance."
In 2001, Martin placed seventh in the RCL tournament
on Devils Lake, North Dakota, with the new jointed Shad Raps and
located walleyes with the same lure during the PWT Championship
in Bismarck, North Dakota, a tournament in which he placed fifth.
In 1999, Martin took third on Lake Erie with the Down Deep Husky
Jerk, a lure he helped design, and over the years has scored three
PWT Big Fish Awards with Rapala products. Martin's relationship
with Rapala dates to the early 1980s, when Martin guided at night,
fishing with Original Rapalas, on his home waters of Muskegon
Lake.
Along the way, Martin has tested new lures, colors
and finishes, contributing valuable design input. "Whenever I've
made suggestions, my voice has always been heard," Martin said.
"Rapala has also been behind me when I've needed anything."
In other capacities, Martin supports sales efforts
with appearances at retail outlets, sports shows and seminars;
contributes to public relations efforts by fishing with the media
and teaching kids fishing clinics; and acts as an ambassador and
spokesman for the Rapala brands.
Over the course of his career, Martin has won two
tournaments: the 1990 PWTbChampionship on Lake of the Woods and
the 2001 PWT event held in Chamberlain, South Dakota.
|
