Presented by Yamaha Motor Corp USA and Warrior Boats Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2022
Contact: Denny Fox, 920-505-0122
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™)
Mercury, Garmin and Navionics: Three Winners
From The Start, And AIM Supporting Sponsors
Three names to stick with when you’re on the water and want innovation, reliability, want to know where you and the fish are, and how to get home safely if the weather turns: Mercury propulsion, Garmin Panoptix LiveScope.
“We’re extremely proud and grateful that these three industry leaders continue to support the AIM Weekend Walleye Series ,” said Denny Fox, AIM national tournament director. “Garmin is the main sponsor for the Wisconsin Division, and is also aboard our first-place prize, that absolutely fantastic Warrior 1898 DC, that will be given away at the National Championship Shootout on Lake Miltona at Alexandria, MN June 3-4.
Last season, Mercury introduced its largest-ever outboard, a 600hp beauty for larger boats. This season, Mercury surprised the world with its new concept motor, the all-electric Avator, featuring an interchangeable battery system that would enable the user to pop in a new one and just keep going or keep fishing. Result: zero direct emissions. Zero exhaust fumes. Zero fuel to pump aboard.
While still not available as a production model, this is a hint of things to come, and sooner than you think. As new strides in battery technology evolve, this IS the future of boat propulsion, guaranteed. The Avator is cooler than cool. We can’t wait for the full production model.
Mercury also announced this spring that it has committed to supporting all boaters by creating a new scholarship designed to support high school students or graduates who will further their education in the marine technician field.
The program will offer four scholarships of $2,500 each ($1,250 for each semester), intended to alleviate financial stress of post-secondary education. The scholarships will go to students at four technical schools in Florida, Virginia and New York. Details on who’s eligible are available at mercurymarine.com/scholarship.
Also from the Mercury skunkworks is the industry’s first outboard joystick system with full and seamless integration of a bow thruster. With Mercury outboards now being used on very large boats, this innovative, integrated new system provides the ability to precisely maneuver those large vessels with the same authority and intuitiveness as smaller joystick-controlled boats.
It joins another system introduced this spring, a joystick system for single engine pontoon boats.
You can also follow Merc’s dockline blog for neat tips on everything from launching and anchoring your boat, to how to re-deck an older boat, cleaning your electronic screens, and fishing tactics.
Garmin, which also owns Navionics, also has been very busy over the winter, continuing its position as the leader in producing truly amazing fishing and mapping electronics. You may have heard about its newest improvement announced in February, the next generation of its hugely successful Panoptix LiveScope transducer, LiveScope Plus.
Optimized for precision and accuracy, the new design of the LiveScope Plus transducer not only delivers 35% improved target separation, it’s also capable of identifying and separating targets as small as 14” at distances 100 feet from the boat. With brilliantly clear sonar returns – available with seven vivid color options – anglers can see exactly what they need to with improved image stitching, reduced noise and fewer on-screen artifacts that impede the picture of fish and structure.
LiveScope Plus is also equipped with additional sensors that allow it to constantly adjust the sonar beams to compensate for boat motion, so even in rough conditions, anglers will still see a steady sonar image.
Garmin also produces a full line of other products, from handheld tools for hunting and fishing, to GPS SmartWatches, GPS maps for cars and RVs, even TACX trainer devices that keep you moving on your bicycle indoors in any weather.
Navionics, which is part of the Garmin family of products, is a favorite of AIM. Its Big Fish Thursday event showcases the largest walleye caught at the last AIM tournament. Winner gets a new Navionics chip to help them find their next ‘eye.
The new Garmin Navionics + system for the U.S. North includes detailed charts for more than 42,000 inland lakes with contours down to one foot, daily updates via the Garmin ActiveCaptain app that provides valuable POIs, recommendations and advice from boaters with firsthand experience of local areas, and more.
Learn all the details on Garmin at Garmin.com. Navionics plotter cards are also compatible with all major plotter makes. Check out all the latest at navionics.com.
Stay tuned to AIM’s Facebook page for more info on upcoming events, and register for all events at AIM’s website.
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