G. Loomis veteran to be inducted into Bass Fishing Hall of Fame

The man credited with catapulting G. Loomis to the forefront of the fishing rod category is among the latest inductees into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (BFHOF).

Bruce Holt (above centre) will be inducted alongside Glen Andrews (left), the first man to market what is now known as the Texas Rig, and Mike Iaconelli (right), the only winner of the B.A.S.S. Federation National title, the Bassmaster Classic and the Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year, on September 28th at the Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Montana.

As much as he loved being on the water competing in local club tournaments, Holt’s contributions to the sport came largely off the water on the business side. He was involved in the fishing industry for nearly 45 years prior to his death in 2021 and was best known as the quiet yet influential force that helped catapult G. Loomis to the forefront of the fishing rod category.

Throughout his 34-year tenure at G.Loomis, Holt wore many hats, ranging from heading up sales and marketing prior to Shimano’s acquisition of the brand in 1997 to an almost decade-long stint as its Executive Director before returning to a media communications and public relations role during his last ten years at the company.

“We look forward to hosting our new inductees and their families later this year to honour them for what they have done for bass fishing, but to also bring together many in the bass fishing industry to join us in our mission of celebrating, promoting and preserving our sport,” said BFHOF Board President John Mazurkiewicz.