Pure Fishing brands Berkley and Abu Garcia announced a bunch of new additions to their pro staffs today, including 2017 FLW Tour Angler of the Year Bryan Thrift and reigning Forrest Wood Cup champion Justin Atkins.
Thrift will represent Abu Garcia on the 2018 Tour and will test and evaluate new products. He will also make trade-show and event appearances on behalf of the brand.
“It’s great to be backed by Abu Garcia,” he said. “I started my career with Abu Garcia products on my deck, and they are still there 11 years later. I stand behind the Abu Garcia brand and am really excited about partnering with them this season.”
Atkins, a rookie on the Tour in 2017, will represent both brands – he'll use Abu Garcia rods and reels and Berkley baits, line and hooks.
“It’s been a huge blessing to be partnered with a company I’ve always used,” said Atkins. “My father was the reason I grew up fishing with Abu Garcia. I stayed true to the brand throughout my career because with Abu Garcia, every product is reliable. I’m also thrilled to be working with Berkley at a time when new, innovative products are being created – Berkley’s baits can’t be beat when it comes to catching more fish.”
Other additions to the Abu staff include former Cup winners John Cox and Anthony Gagliardi, along with Micah Frazier, Shane Lehew, Joe Thompson, Josh Weaver, Tom Redington, Chris Groh, Brandon Cobb, Joey Cifuentes, Bradley Dortch, Chad Warren, Brian Latimer and Chad Pipkens.
Newcomers to the Berkley staff are Cox, Redington, Lehew, Thompson, Cifuentes, Weaver and Groh.
