Megabass isn't listed on his site, and his bio on their site isn't active even though it's still there.

I didn't see any news about this. Is there a chance anyone here knows what happened?

I guess I'll throw all my MB out!

Lol, not sure. Pro sponsorship/endorsement deals come and go. It doesn't really affect my perception of quality and value. It might be interesting if there's a juicy story behind it, lol.

LOL. It just seemed odd that they increased their relationship with Zaldain, but AMart (who I think is more valuable) is gone.

J saw they expanded relationship with Zaldain, but could not find anything onA Mart even after a few web searches.

The last reason in the world I would base a purchasing decision on is a paid endorsement, but ya a little gossip would be good.

 

"We're just not the gossipy kind, you'll never hear one of us repeating gossip. So you better be sure and listen close the first time" 

It seems like Megabass has a lot invested in AMart as one of the faces of their brand in the US, and he is well respected, so I would think it would be a fairly big story in the "industry." He may just be out of contract while they are trying to negotiate terms of a new deal? Or maybe he will be moving to another company starting in 2015? I'd think in either case something would be pretty well set by the Classic.

And just as I hit send on my last post, I see a press release from Megabass saying that they and Aaron Martens are parting ways, as he will pursue a new business opportunity. Megabass says it is "no surprise to us that a fledgling brand would invest heavily in his services." I guess it remains to be seen who that "fledgling brand" is. Probably another company trying to get into the US market in a similar way to Megabass.

Link?

NM http://www.megabassusa.com/news/megabass-and-aaron-martens-part-ways-after-17-years

NM http://www.megabassusa.com/news/megabass-and-aaron-martens-part-ways-after-17-years

This has pure fishing writen all over it imo

It's not *** or Shimano, according to a reliable source. Brian

From Martens:

 

"I would like to take the opportunity to thank Megabass for 17 years of support and friendship. While it is the end of our business relationship, it is in no way the end of the many friendships I have developed with the people at Megabass. I will always consider Yuskei Murayama of Megabass USA and Yuki Ito and the many other great people of Megabass Japan to be my friends.

"The experiences provided to me through Megabass both inside of the fishing industry and outside of it will always be special to me. Megabass products have helped me climb the ranks from a young wide-eyed rookie to a two-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year. That wouldn't have been possible without the long-time support of such a great company.

"At this time, I am not making an announcement about my next steps, but I will be ready to do so soon. For now, I am focused on preparing for the Bassmaster Classic and enjoying some time with the family."

It's not *** or Shimano, according to a reliable source. Brian

Interesting. I thought it could be one of those two. At first I assumed Shimano/Jackal but it's not exactly a "fledgling" company.

It's going to be something like Skeet did with Wright and McGill.  He will get ownership in the company and his own line of products.  Hopefully it won't be crappy stuff like Skeet.

I am hearing Shimano/Jackal or the possibility of Duo.........  but i have no inside source.

 

Jeff

I could see Duo being involved if they are expanding into rods, soft plastics and a larger line of hard baits.  I just don't see Martens leaving Megabass unless it was for something all inclusive that he would have an ownership stake in.  He's been using Shimano reels for years with no sponsorship, I don't think that's it.

There is nothing on him leaving robo.  so I would not think it was a plastics company.  This is really making silly season interesting though lol

The facebooks are crackling with "Duo."

No idea, though I still don't really care.

I find it all very interesting but it doesn't effect my buying habits in the slightest, or at least consciously it doesn't.

This has pure fishing writen all over it imo

Highly doubtful. Have a family member in pure fishing

I hope if he joins Duo it does not crank up there prices. I love there stuff and at a decent price point

Highly doubtful. Have a family member in pure fishing

i just thought it would be a company with big money,  if he gets offered ownership that would change things

Wherever he lands I expect it to be a quality organization with quality products. His reputation has him being way too finicky to get on board with a janky outfit.

Just saw via facebook a video post from Duo Realis USA of Martens previous BASS AOY Championship round in 2014 where he was using the spinbait. Seems fairly obvious this is who he will be signing on with. It's just too coincidental that Megabass and Martens parted ways yesterday and then this post was released today.

Just saw via facebook a video post from Duo Realis USA of Martens previous BASS AOY Championship round in 2014 where he was using the spinbait. Seems fairly obvious this is who he will be signing on with. It's just too coincidental that Megabass and Martens parted ways yesterday and then this post was released today.

That's what I'd bet. Realis for the title sponsorship. And I'd make a secondary bet that Shimano/Loomis pick him up too.