Randy Moss and Mystery Tackle Box Team Up for Minnesota Bass Fishing Tournament

MINNEAPOLIS (August 5, 2021) – Attracting anglers of all levels, fishing is a hugely popular pastime that keeps enthusiasts and legends like Randy Moss busy during peak Bass fishing season. The former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver recently collaborated with Catch Co., a digital sportfishing brand and maker of Mystery Tackle Box, to host the first “Straight Bass Classic” fishing tournament for fellow Vikings alumni and friends. The charity fishing tournament on Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota honored Moss’ respected friend and former sports journalist, Sid Hartman.

After Hartman’s passing on October 18, 2020, Moss wanted to find a way to give back to the man whom he built a close friendship with during his time in Minnesota. The DYRK1A Association is a cause close to the Hartman family, with Sid’s grandson, Quintin, having been diagnosed with the rare condition a few years ago. Moss had the idea to help memorialize Sid by doing one of Moss’ favorite activities, Bass fishing, and contacted Mystery Tackle Box, a subscription bait and tackle brand, to pitch the idea of the “Straight Bass Classic.” The event name is a derivation of Moss’ catchphrase, “Straight Cash Homie.” 

Moss enlisted Vikings Legends Daunte Culpepper, Jake Reed, Robert Smith, Scott Studwell, Pete Bercich and Todd Bouman, as well as former Minnesota Twins Joe Mauer and Al Newman, Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba and former Gophers and Timberwolves big man John Thomas to partner with guides. Sid Hartman’s son Chad and grandson Quintin also hit the water. 

During the one-day tournament, participants fished using only the bait and tackle provided inside a selection of Mystery Tackle Boxes. Bouman had a successful day teaming with Studwell and winning first place with a total haul of 14 pounds, 8 ounces to narrowly edge the team that featured Dumba (14 pounds, 6 ounces). Reed’s team totaled 13 pounds, 14 ounces for third place, and Thomas reeled in the biggest single bass (4 pounds, 2 ounces) of the day.

Casting for a Cause 

Participants in the Straight Bass Classic will continue to raise money through raffle tickets and t-shirt sales, which will take place later in August. A commemorative t-shirt is available for $24.99 on ShopKarls.com. Raffle tickets for items including Minnesota sports memorabilia, as well as fishing gear and fishing excursions are available for $5.00 each. 

“Of all the things that growing up in Minnesota gave me, a love of fishing and a love for the Vikings are definitely two that have stuck with me. The opportunity to work on this tournament with Randy Moss is a dream come true,” says Ross Gordon, founder of Mystery Tackle Box and Catch Co.  “Fishing is fun and relaxing but we’re also competitive. It was incredible to see these athletes get into it out on the water, all in the name of raising money and awareness for a worthy cause.”

To learn more about Catch Co., view its content series and explore species and waterbody-specific product lines developed to help anglers catch more fish, visit CatchCo.com. Follow along with over 2 million anglers on the brand’s @CatchCo, @MysteryTackleBox and @KarlsBaitandTackle social channels on all platforms. 

About Catch Co.

Founded in 2012 by fishing enthusiast Ross Gordon, Catch Co. is on a mission to ‘rescue people from the indoors’ with the best products, content, and shopping experiences in all of fishing. Catch Co. is best known for its innovative commerce brands Mystery Tackle Box, the original monthly subscription box of lures and tackle, and Karl’s Bait & Tackle, a membership-based ecommerce platform. The company has developed some of the industry’s most innovative products entirely in-house. It has a passionate social community of over two million followers and produces an original video series that has garnered millions of minutes of attention. For more information and inspiration to get outside, visit www.catchco.com.