Presented by Yamaha Motor Corp USA and Warrior Boats Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2022
Contact: Denny Fox, 920-505-0122
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™)
AIM Welcomes Back Warrior, Yamaha
As 2022 Presenting Sponsors
Warrior Boats, the toughest, most seaworthy out there, and Yamaha Marine one of the top innovators in marine propulsion, are teaming with AIM Weekend Walleye Series to again bring you, Fan Nation and teams in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota, another season of the most lucrative affordable walleye tournament series going.
“Once again both those sponsors are allowing us to do what we’ve been doing for nearly a decade in its present form,” said Denny Fox, AIM national tournament director. “We couldn’t be prouder of AIM’s philosophy of giving any angler, a chance to demonstrate their skills in low-cost tournaments catering to semi-pros, pros and amateurs alike. We even the playing field with our locations and our rules. We deeply appreciate the ongoing support of these two brands, year in, year out.”
Kent Andersen, national sales manager of Warrior Boats, agrees.
“Warrior is again happy to be an integral part of the success of America’s leading conservation-minded walleye tournament series. AIM leads the pack with its innovative Catch-Record-Release™ tournament format that allows teams to measure, photograph and release fish within less than 30 seconds, and in the same water they inhabit, conserving a precious resource. Thanks, AIM, for looking out for anglers everywhere,” he said.
Since its revival and sponsorship of AIM events, Warrior, based in Melrose, Minnesota, a short drive from the location of this year’s AIM National Championship, has grown exponentially.
So far this year, Warrior has added two new dealers, Destination Outdoors in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and Nestor Falls Marine in Nestor Falls, Ontario.
Its fleet of boats you can choose from includes the 1898DC, the boat that will be tricked out with a 150 Yamaha four-stroke, and Garmin electronics on the dash, and awarded to the winner of the Shootout, taking place on Lake Miltona at Alexandria, Minnesota in early June.
That package is worth more than $50,000 and doesn’t even include the accolades and national publicity that the winning team will receive.
View the entire Warrior lineup, from the 1890 backtroller to the one that sets the bar for multi-species fishing and family fun to boot, the V238DC, at its website, warriorboatsinc.com.
While there, you’ll also learn about and sign up for the Warrior Cash Incentive program. Run a Warrior and finish first, second or third in an AIM or other major national tournament, an earn an extra $2,500, $1,500 and $750. See the site for details.
Yamaha Outboards United States operations include facilities in Tennessee, Georgia and California. Big news is the unveiling of Yamaha’s entry into the electric outboard motor market. The HARMO system debuted at the International Boatbuilders Exhibition and Conference last September in Tampa, FL.
Coupling a 48-volt power supply with a high-yield, low-drag 3.7-kilowatt motor, HARMO’s rim-drive electric motor and specially encased impeller provide an incredible 225 pounds of static thrust – the equivalent of a conventional 9.9-horsepower gas-powered motor. Run times depend on battery type, size, configuration and operational parameters.
Some waterways already are restricted to non-internal combustion engines (ICE), and this system is the answer. Electric drive motors are the future of boating, guaranteed, and the AIM Weekend Walleye Series applauds Yamaha as one of the leaders in this technology.
Yamaha also offers incentive cash to qualified AIM teams called Power Pay. Sign up at yamahapowerpay.com and for each state qualifier event, the highest finisher using Yamaha power is eligible for a $750 check, regardless of place.
Do well in the National Championship Shootout, this year on Minnesota’s Lake Miltona, and take home an extra $1,000. And, teams winning Team Of The Year in each state are eligible for a whopping $5,000 if they run Yamaha. Pretty cool, and pretty generous of Yamaha to fork out the extra green. To date, Yamaha has awarded $382,000 in incentive money to anglers.
Yamaha also is on the move to provide topnotch service from technicians through its Yamaha Marine University (YMU). The program helps marinas deal with the current shortage of engine techs (attention, anyone looking for a great career). The program includes 4,000 hours of comprehensive, hands-on Yamaha outboard technician training supported by an online platform.
Yamaha also contributes to environmental protection. For example, the company donated a VMAX SHO 115 to help remove debris from hard-to-reach coastal areas by Wounded Nature—Working Veterans.
It operates the Yamaha Rightwaters plastics recycling program, which in 2021 alone turned more than 10,000 pounds of sheet plastics back to base materials, proving a pilot concept that the sustainability initiative hopes to expand in 2022.
Last September, Yamaha introduced a new 27-inch pitch propeller for its 5.6-liter XTO outboard.
The program also is supporting reintroduction of 75 million juvenile oysters into New York harbor, with a goal of placing up to one billion in the harbor to revitalize that marine community there.
That’s it right now from Warrior and Yamaha. Meanwhile, teams and anyone who wants to try tournament fishing: AIM is simply the best. It offers the most lucrative awards of any affordable series existing. It’s THE way to get your foot in the door of competitive walleye angling, and is the innovator of Catch-Record-Release,™ that does not harm the resource: the walleye you love to catch.
Just see AIM’s Facebook page, then register at AIM’s website to get in on the next tournaments. You know you want to. You know you can.
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™) is a unique tournament organization created and owned by many of the most accomplished and recognizable professional walleye anglers, along with others who share the mission of advancing competitive walleye fishing and making it sustainable into the future.
AIM is committed to marketing excellence on behalf of its tournament competitors, the tournament host communities, and the brands that partner with it.
AIM is also committed to maintaining healthy fisheries across the nation by the development of the exclusive AIM Catch-Record-Release™ format which is integral to its dynamic events and unparalleled consumer engagement. For more information about AIM™, AIM Pro Walleye Series™, AIM Weekend Walleye Series, AIM sponsors and AIM anglers, visit www.aimfishing.com.
AIM Presenting Sponsors: Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A. and Warrior Boats inc.
AIM Supporting Sponsors: Mercury Marine, Garmin, Navionics, Power Pole, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Off Shore Tackle, Gemini Sport Marketing, Moonshine Lures Shiver Minnow, JT Outdoors Products, McQuoids Inn, Marinette, WI, Explore Alexandria, Rosemore Outdoor Gear