July 12, 2019

Humminbird and Minn Kota Surprise Deserving Angler and Veteran David Lowrie with a Complete Boat Overhaul at ICAST 2019

Veteran and angler David Lowrie looks at his boat in shock, surrounded by media at the ICAST sho

RACINE, Wis., July 12, 2019 – There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as Desert Storm veteran and youth fishing mentor David Lowrie was surprised with a complete boat overhaul thanks to Minn Kota®, Humminbird® and the One-Boat Network™ Live overhaul at the American Sportfishing Association’s International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) on Thursday, July 11.
 
Lowrie is a veteran of the U.S. Army and has spent the last three years as the youth director for the Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation High School/Youth. The youth program was struggling three years ago with only 200 members until Lowrie took over and was able to make it one of the best youth programs in the country with over 1,400 young anglers. Lowrie serves as a high school boat captain and is passionate about putting kids on the water and helping them to become better anglers. He has also dedicated himself and his 2006 Skeeter bass boat to helping his son Hank pursue his bass tournament fishing dreams.
 
The overhaul took place in booth #217 at the ICAST show and included installations of a Minn Kota Ultrex® with Built-In MEGA Down Imaging™, Minn Kota on-board Precision charger, two Minn Kota Talons®, two Humminbird SOLIX® 15 CHIRP MEGA SI+ G2 units, Humminbird 360 and LakeMaster® mapping. In addition to these elements of the One-Boat Network, products from other ICAST exhibitors including Rigid Industries, TH Marine, Battle Born Batteries, JL Audio and more were also installed. The full unveil event can be viewed here.

“We are so thrilled with the outcome of the One-Boat Network Live build here at ICAST,” said Joe Brown, senior director of brand management for Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics. “Not only were we able to demonstrate the live installation of the best Minn Kota and Humminbird technologies, but we were able to award the final product to a very deserving member of our fishing community – David Lowrie. We look forward to having David, his son and the youth anglers he captains using our products on the water to make more fishing memories.”
 
The One-Boat Network is an integrated system which unlocks communication opportunities between Minn Kota and Humminbird products, including Talon shallow water anchors, to help anglers find, stay on and catch fish. Minn Kota and Humminbird products are respectively best-in-class in locating fish and fish-holding structure and enabling anglers to navigate to fishing spots and stay in place effortlessly. With the One-Boat Network, anglers can get the most out of their Humminbird fish finder, Minn Kota trolling motor and Minn Kota Talon shallow water anchor through a networked system designed to give anglers a more streamlined, user-friendly experience across all products.

Vetern and youth leader David Lowrie and pro angler Chris Zaldain on the bow of Lowrie's newly outfitted Skeeter bass boat
 

"I'm absolutely just blown away by the fact that I was chosen for this. I don’t know that I feel worthy but I feel awfully blessed," said David Lowrie. "The stuff that was on my boat was a lot older – I had coveted a Spot-Lock for a long time, and you know, it just wasn't in the budget because I focus on other things. I focus on the kids and the state program – I don't focus on me that much. I’m going to be able to take the kids out on an improved boat and improve their chances of catching fish. All the sponsors that had a hand in this – I just can't thank them enough. It's an unbelievable blessing."

David Lowrie spent the last day of ICAST on the water learning the ins and outs of his new equipment with Minn Kota and Humminbird professional anglers Brandon Palaniuk and Chris Zaldain on Friday, July 12 on Lake Tohopekaliga. A live stream of David's day on the water can be viewed here

Chris and David fishing

“As professional anglers, we sometimes take for granted the amazing equipment and technology we get to use every day,” Zaldain said. “I was happy to be able to teach David how to use the One-Boat Network products and show him the advantage that a connected boat can provide to all anglers. David is a great guy, and I know he will take what he learned here today, and teach it to the youth in his local B.A.S.S. chapter ensuring the next generation of anglers gets to experience the very best products out there.”
 
For more information on Minn Kota and Humminbird visit MinnKotaMotors.com and Humminbird.com.
 
Other sponsors and partners in this program include: Abu Garcia, Bass Mafia, Battle Born Batteries, BOSCH, JL Audio, Costa Sunglasses, Hot Foot, Hydrowave, JL Audio, Onyx, Rigid Industries, Simms, Tackle Titan and TH Marine.

----
About Minn Kota® and Humminbird®
JOHNSON OUTDOORS FISHING is comprised of the Minn Kota®, Humminbird®, and Cannon® brands. Minn Kota is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as a complete line of shallow water anchors, battery chargers and marine accessories. Humminbird is a leading global innovator and manufacturer of marine electronics products including fish finders, multifunction displays, autopilots, ice flashers, and premium cartography products. Cannon is the leader in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and accessories.
Visit Minn Kota at www.minnkotamotors.com
Visit Humminbird at www.humminbird.com
 
JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global outdoor recreation company that inspires more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors with innovative, top-quality products. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft, Fishing, Diving and Camping.
Visit Johnson Outdoors at www.johnsonoutdoors.com