Ahh...To Bleed Orange

HOOTERS Magazine - Bass Report by Brad D. Wall

Apr/May 2008 - Issue 69

In the 25th anniversary issue of HOOTERS magazine, Mike McNeil, vice president of marketing for HOOTERS of America, said, “…the biggest compliment you can pay to a HOOTERS person is to say, “they bleed orange.”

...Congratulations HOOTERS on twenty-five years of excellence. It is nearly five years since HOOTERS Bass Fishing first became an official property of HOOTERS of America and HBF would like to share with our readers what it means to HOOTERS Bass Fishing to be an investment of the HOOTERS family....

A special thank you to Coby’s wife Elizabeth Brooks. Every time HBF has passed through Atlanta we have received a call from Mrs. Brooks stating, if you don’t stay at our house, consider yourself fired.” I thank Alexis Aleshire, Pat Cooper and Andrew Teates who have helped us fill the pages of the Bass Report and share highlights with readers. I thank the creative and charismatic Tim Frasier for all the cool designs, HBF logos, hats, bumper stickers and original HBF merchandise that the public absolutely goes crazy for. Thank you to all the franchisees, managers, employees and, of course, the world famous HOOTERS Girls, who have supported HOOTERS Bass Fishing.

HBF fishes with approximately two hundred fifty amateurs, soldiers, kids, competitors, sponsors, guests and media people a year. Approximately one thousand people to date have gotten to personally share a day of fishing.

HBF is currently involved with numerous charities, youth organizations and military support groups. These include the U.S. Army, Marines, National Guard, both the American Cancer Society’s “Walk for Life” and “Cast for a Cure” programs, Greg Foster’s Camp for Kids,  Hospice, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the United Way, Adopt a Bass, the Children’s Miracle Network, BassMasters “Casting Kids,” the Girl Scouts of America and B.A.S.S. Federation youth tournaments, events and programs.

HBF has been listed as a contributing writer for over two years in HOOTERS Magazine and has completed twenty articles and been covered by FLW Outdoors, BassMasters, Bass West USA, Angler’s Choice, Pro- Angler Insider, Sports Illustrated, and Bass Times publications as well as multiple local newspapers nationally.

Internet exposure for HBF includes HOOTERS, Bassmaster, FLW Outdoors, ESPN, Ohio Bass Federation, USA Bassin, Anglers Choice, Sports Illustrated, Bass Fan, Professional Anglers Association, Bassaholics, Navionics, and countless MySpace accounts all over this great country. Radio exposure for HBF includes; radio appearances on five different radio programs, multiple times, always with future invitations.

HBF has rolled about two hundred fifty thousand miles and approximately twenty four million people have seen HBF, from the Alaskan Peninsula to the Florida Everglades, the far Northeast arctic regions of Quebec, Canada to the borders of Mexico, during the last four years. We have appeared in two of the last three BassMasters Classics, obtaining over a dozen ESPN-televised cameos, multiple commentator mentions and positive competitor mention. HBF has distributed over over 10,000 8x10 HOOTERS official angler autograph cards and organizes promotional events with HOOTERS stores at all possible opportunities. HBF has been interviewed by local TV in tournament areas and once interviewed by the Discovery Channel. HBF receives countless sincere letters, attends boat shows, celebrity concerts and televised sports venues like the Toyota Bass Classic televised on CBS. HOOTERS Restaurants are now involved with co-sponsoring more tournaments and local trails than I would have time to research.

New for 2008, HOOTERSbassfishing.com. Check it out for more of everything HBF including our schedule, photo gallery and more.

HBF has graduated from amateur status to a full-time touring professional on the BassMasters and FLW pro circuits. HBF has recorded many wins and big bass honors in many national and state level tournaments including; BASS Federation Nation, Anglers Choice, and USA Bassin. HBF has made the State Team for Ohio the last two years in a row. Fishing against the top two hundred anglers in the world on the FLW Tour, HBF has held a qualifying position in the top two hundred for the third year in a row. With the network of support from HOOTERS, Ranger Boats, Dixie Marine, Mercury Outboards, MotorGuide, Lowrance Electronics, Navionics Charts, Walt-Luti Tire and Reaction Innovations as well as other contributors, the future looks very orange indeed.

Congrats on twenty-five years, HOOTERS, and many more to come. You Rock!

Fish on!