BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Dakota Lithium, a U.S. battery manufacturer founded in 2008 and the Official Lithium Battery of Bassmaster, has expanded its partnership with B.A.S.S. and signed a three-year sponsorship deal for the Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year award.

Every tournament in the 2023 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX has been expanded to two days as anglers compete around the country for the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year title, which comes with a $5,000 cash prize.

“Partnering with B.A.S.S. to honor the top Kayak Series angler is a natural fit and extension of our support for the sport and relationship with Bassmaster tournaments,” said Craig Storms, Dakota Lithium national sales representative and pro staff manager. “Many of the Kayak Series’ top anglers already work with Dakota Lithium, and we want to continue the momentum we’re building through our sponsorship of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail and Elite Series pros to keep reaching more people who fish. B.A.S.S. is committed to using its massive reach and membership base to elevate kayak fishing.”

In addition to sponsoring multiple Bassmaster Kayak Series anglers, including past champions Cody Milton and Rus Snyders, Dakota Lithium is a premier sponsor for the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota and six-circuit Bassmaster Tournament Trail.

“It was no surprise to see Dakota Lithium, a long-time supporter of the sport, step up in a huge way regarding the Bassmaster Kayak Series,” said angler Kristine Fischer, who won the 2021 Hobie Bass Open Series Tournament of Champions on Lake Eufaula and finished 3rd at the season-ending 2022 Bassmaster Kayak Series event on Pickwick Lake. “I’ve been part of the Dakota team for years, and it makes me proud to be part of a family that continuously invests and pours into growing kayak fishing.”

Lithium batteries have become an industry standard for competitive fishing, providing twice the usable power at half the weight of traditional batteries. In a quickly growing market, Dakota Lithium has become the brand of choice for professional athletes, primarily due to Dakota Lithium’s performance, reliability, lifespan and best-in-class 11-year warranty.

The 2023 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX season kicks off March 4-5 on legendary Lake Guntersville. Anglers will earn points in every regular-season tournament with their lowest finish dropped to determine the final Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year standings.

About Dakota Lithium
Founded in 2008 in Grand Forks, North Dakota, by two pilots and a chemical engineer, Dakota Lithium is the leading consumer lithium battery brand in the U.S. and Canada. Built on a culture of relentless improvement and reliability, Dakota Lithium batteries have twice the power, half the weight and five times the lifespan of traditional batteries. Backed up by DL’s best-in-class 11-year warranty.

Here at Dakota Lithium, we believe that quality makes the difference. And that quality is measured by lifespan — how long a battery lasts. That’s why we focus on building batteries that last a long, long time. By harnessing Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) chemistry and our engineering know-how, Dakota Lithium lasts five to 10 times longer than traditional batteries, providing lasting value for our customers and reducing e-waste and the impact on our planet.

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.