Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S600 LEADERBOARD

Game Wardens and Nixon guide young anglers to Vexus Varsity™ Bonus

by Alan McGuckin 26 Jun 18:32 UTC
Vexus Varsity™ Bonus © Vexus Boats

If the tiny community of Bee Branch, Arkansas, sounds familiar to serious bass fishing fans, blame it on Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Larry Nixon, who has called the rural community home for decades.

The area is also home to Nixon's nephew and talented high school angler Cole Pennington, who partnered with Vexus® Boats angler Ely Hagans to become one of the very first teams to win a celebratory banner and $500 in Tackle Warehouse gift cards.

"Uncle Larry (Nixon) has been a huge influence. He's taught us a lot about fishing but also to trust the Lord and His plan. He and Joey Cifuentes have told us to keep our faith, trust our gut, and never give up easily. We were both raised to believe that," says Pennington.

The new Vexus Varsity program rewards qualifying high school teams who win a sanctioned tournament while competing in a Vexus boat with a Tackle Warehouse gift card for $500. Qualifying college teams who win a sanctioned tournament in a Vexus boat will win a $1,000 Tackle Warehouse gift card.

Pennington and Hagans won the Vexus Varsity prizes as a result of their victory at the Arkansas Game & Fish Commissioners' Cup event on Lake Hamilton, where they cast big Zoom worms and Jewel finesse jigs on Powell rods to boat a winning weight of 13.92 pounds.

Ironically, Pennington's grandfather and Hagan's father worked together as Arkansas Game Wardens. So, there's no doubt these two young fishermen have been mentored with a double helping of morality, integrity, and a rare insight into all things outdoors.

Hagans, who fishes out of a Vexus AVX1980 aluminum boat, says he's already spent his portion of the $500 Tackle Warehouse gift card on Aaron's Magic-colored drop-shot worms, light wire hooks, and Berkley Dredger 17.5 crankbaits.

When asked what he likes most about his Vexus, the future Bethel University angler responded without hesitation, "This boat floats in super shallow water, which allows us to fish in places some people won't even try to take a fiberglass boat."

Given the incredible guidance these two young anglers have been given, coupled with high aspirations to fish for a living someday, this will likely be their first of many times to hang a Vexus banner in their boat garage or dorm room. There's also a strong chance they'll keep Bee Branch, Clinton, and the rest of Van Buren County, Arkansas, recognizable to fishing fans for years to come.

Young anglers who wish to join the Vexus contingency programs are encouraged to register under the "Info" tab at vexusboats.com.

Related Articles

Card's on solid ground at High Rock
It's wise to step outside of your ordinary comfort zone Watching Steve Summer of Rock Outdoors in Lexington, North Carolina, catch a limit of Buggs Island bass on a golden-shiner-colored spinnerbait "they weren't supposed to bite" might have been the confirmational moment in Vexus® Pro Brandon Card's life. Posted on 9 Oct
Carson loves Aluminum, Laments FFS
Highly likable Florida Pro Keith Carson never had an inch of doubt Keith Carson never had an inch of doubt that his 20-foot aluminum Vexus® boat would deliver him safely and smoothly through big waves amid a mind-boggling 96-mile round trip run from Trenton, Michigan, to the northernmost corner of Lake Saint Clair. Posted on 6 Aug
The most underrated smallmouth presentation
Vexus angler Darryl Esterly is the only competitive bass angler with a pretzel sponsorship There's a really good chance Vexus angler Darryl Esterly is the only competitive bass angler with a pretzel sponsorship. Posted on 24 Jul
I grew up wanting to be my dad
Find a profession you truly love One of the best pieces of advice any dad can give a child is to find a profession you truly love. Not just a job but a career that won't make you dread Monday mornings. Posted on 12 Jun
Grandma was a Bass'n Gal, Grandpa was a Bassmaster
If anybody has the right to say bass fishing is in their blood, it's Texas angler Cory Rambo If anybody has the right to say bass fishing is in their blood, it's Texas angler Cory Rambo. Posted on 22 May
Adam Rasmussen stops by the Vexus® Plant
Nobody remembers the guy who finished 2nd. But we do They say nobody remembers the guy who finished 2nd. But we do. All of us at Vexus couldn't be more proud of our treasured friend, Adam Rasmussen, the so called "walleye guide" from Sturgeon Bay, who nearly won the Bassmaster Classic. Posted on 28 Mar
Donk's pursuit of paint and gel coat perfection
Like spreading the perfect layer of honey across a slice of toast Providing the superior level of smooth perfection Vexus® owners expect in their boat's gel coat or paint is about like trying to spread the perfect layer of honey across a slice of toast. Posted on 6 Mar
Mundy turned off Sonar to collect $50k
Derek Mundy and Jason Bonds catch 47 pounds of bass in two days At a time when sonar technology is easily the most debated topic in bass fishing, Vexus® Boats anglers and Lake Sam Rayburn hammers, Derek Mundy and Jason Bonds, swung toward the opposite field during the season opener. Posted on 28 Feb
Vexus® ADX180 walk-through
ADX180 is engineered for on-water excitement The ADX180 is engineered for on-water excitement the whole family will love! Posted on 17 Feb
Vexus® ACX2210 walk-through
Meet the flagship of the new center console lineup Meet the flagship of our new center console lineup, the Vexus® ACX2210. Posted on 5 Feb
Savvy Navvy 2024Maritimo 2023 S-Series FOOTER