BENTON, Ky. (March 2, 2011) - One great benefit of being a member of the Professional Anglers Association is the Affinity Program that provides discounts on a wide range of fishing, boating and vehicle accessories, hotel rates and tackle.
Gaining access to the program is easier now with the new Affinity Level membership. For just $20 a year, Affinity Level members receive a membership card, PAA decals for your truck or boat and access to a growing list of 50 partners in the Affinity Program.
“There’s no better way to support the PAA and also enjoy the great benefits provided by these Affinity Program partners,” said Danny Blandford, PAA Program Director. “Members can save thousands of dollars each year through the discounts offered for fishing rods, reels, line, lures, hotel stays, clothing, boat and vehicle products and other great things anglers use every day. We just added our 50th partner and have more to come this year, so it’s a great deal that just keeps getting better.”
Affinity Level members can upgrade their membership to the General, Advantage or Tour levels to receive other benefits, as well. The popular PayDay Bonus Program will remain as a part of the General or Advantage Memberships only. Those who want to take advantage of this program will need to join or maintain their status as General or Advantage Members. Since starting in 2009, the PAA has awarded more than $22,000 to members throughout the country who are winning bonuses in their local and regional events.
PAA members also have the opportunity to win a free U.S. Reel baitcasting or spinning reel during the “Reel in a Member” promotion through the end of March.
The promotion will award a new U.S. Reel SuperCaster spinning reel each business day in March, beginning Wednesday, March 2. One winner will be chosen via random drawing each business day for the SuperCaster SX spinning reel (MSRP, $119). Anyone who joins or renews their current PAA membership at any level in March will be registered for the daily prize. Daily winners will be notified by the PAA and winners will be announced each Monday on FishPAA.com.
In addition, all new or renewed memberships will go into a Grand Prize drawing for a SuperCaster 1000 baitcasting reel (MSRP, $179). One Grand Prize winner will be chosen at random from all those who join or renew in March.
Affinity Membership- $20 annually, includes membership card, decals and access to the PAA Affinity Program. This level is open to all anglers competing at any class besides Tour level events and anyone interested in supporting the PAA and the sport of fishing.
General Membership– $50 annually, includes membership card, decals, a PAA cap, access to the PAA Affinity Program and participation in the PAA PayDay Program that awards cash bonuses for qualifying anglers who win PAA-sanctioned tournaments, along with eligibility to participate as an official observer in any PAA Tournament Series event. This level is open to all anglers competing at any class besides Tour level events, as well as any individuals interested in supporting the PAA and the sport of fishing.
Advantage Membership– $150 annually, open to to anglers who fish the FLW EverStart Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens, WON BASS, U.S. Opens, and/or BassChamps. This includes the membership card, decals, cap, higher Advantage level winner bonuses in the PAA PayDay Program and deeper discounts (in some instances) through the PAA Affinity Program, along with eligibility to participate as an observer in any PAA Tournament Series event.
Tour Membership– $400 annually, for anglers who fish a minimum of four events in the following circuits: Bassmater Elite Series, FLW Tour Majors, FLW Tour Opens, or fish any one or more of the PAA Tournament Series events. Membership includes membership card, decals and cap, along with eligibility to participate as a pro in any PAA Tournament Series Event, to earn points in the PAA points structure for “invitational” PAA events, deep discounts through the PAA Affinity Program and voting rights with the PAA.
Members in eligible levels who meet the PAA PayDay criteria and win one of more than 75 tournaments sanctioned in the PAA PayDay program will be awarded cash bonuses. That includes more than a dozen circuits offering co-angler opportunities.