April 20, 2005

Ray Murski to be Inducted into Hall of Fame

Strike King Lure Company is proud to announce that Ray Murski, part owner and Chairman of the Company, will be inducted into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in May at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, TX and into the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in Pittsburg, PA in conjunction with the 2005 Bassmasters Classic in July.

Mr. Murski has been selling fishing tackle, hunting equipment and other outdoor recreational products since 1966. He is the owner of the prestigious Bliss-Murski Rep Group of Dallas, TX. which currently has 100-sales representatives and support personnel representing major hunting and fishing tackle companies in 30 states and territories. Murski competed in the first B.A.S.S. tournament in 1967 and for the next five years, Murski fished the BASS circuit with a great deal of success. He never finished out of the money, and in 1972 when he quit fishing professionally, he was 9th on BASS' All-Time Money Winning List. His heart has always remained in the fishing business. In 1995, he bought Strike King Lure Company from Charles Spence, and today Strike King is a leading lure company.

Murski is a member (lifetime, founding or otherwise), serves or has served on the boards of, and donated countless time, energy and resources to no, less than 16 organizations, including a current term with the industry’s American Sportfishing Association. These efforts have made contributions to, among other things, landowners' stewardship of wildlife and fisheries conservation work, habitat improvement for wildlife, construction and renovation to fish hatcheries and youth participation in fishing and hunting. Murski says, "I'm most proud of the fact that I've given an opportunity to over 50,000 Texas youngsters to have their first outdoor experience, whether they were fishing, hunting, boating or camping."

Ray Murski is one of those rare men who has made giving back to the sports that have given him so much one of the primary callings in his life. Murski works as diligently for the non-profit organizations' boards he serves on as he does for the businesses he runs. In his own quiet way, he's helped to mold, shape and move bass fishing to the place of prominence that it is in the world of fishing today.

April 12, 2005

Amerson and Martindale back to their winning ways!

April 12, 2005 – Paris, TN.

Team Strike King Regional Pro-Staff members and Tournament partners Keith Amerson and Jason Martindale rebound from a rocky start to take the 2nd West Tennessee Fishers of Men event on Kentucky Lake out of Paris Tennessee.

Weighing in a strong limit of 18.50 pounds, Amerson and Martindale credited Strike King 3X 8” Lizards and Strike King Diamond Shads as their primary go to baits.

“This is our first win since 2001 and our first with Strike King and we are absolutely ecstatic!” said an enthusiastic Jason Martindale while holding his youngest daughter and enjoying the win with family and friends. “The good Lord blessed us today, we had an awesome day and just focused on what we had to do, these fish were not moving up as fast as folks thought they were, we were fortunate to realize that early and adjust and then it all fell in to place from there” said Keith Amerson.

Keith and Jason earned some valuable points going into next month’s tournament.
The husband and wife team of Billy and Linda Cooper had another top 5 finish placing 3rd with just over 15 pounds. This moves them into the top spot in points. The point’s race should heat up as the trail moves to Pickwick Lake in May.

Good Luck Guys (and Gals!)

April 3, 2005

The “Hack-Attack” Tames Table Rock – Big Time

April 3 Kimberling City, Mo – With the focus at last weekends BASS Table Rock event on the Angler of the Year Race, Greg Hackney decided to put everyone else in their respective places by taking the lead away from team mate Kevin VanDam on day three and then on day four he decided to go ahead and finish what he started by winning the final regular season tournament with a bang. Greg was the only angler to weigh-in a five fish limit each day over the course of the four day event. 20 fish weighing in at an impressive 57.09 pounds gave Greg an almost 7 pound win over 2nd place finisher and 2005 Angler of the Year Aaron Martens.

See Gregs winning pattern at www.bassfan.com or at www.bassmaster.com.

Congratulations Greg!!!!, Good Luck at Beaver Lake and we’ll see you in Pittsburgh!