The evaluation covered the entire operation from customer satisfaction ratings, to sales and service department practices, to overall business management and marketing programs. Boating Industry Magazine's criteria leave no stone unturned, and for a "small" dealer to come up on the list with such consistency is really an accomplishment! In the excitement of that honor, GFM plans to really celebrate the new year, and pull out all the stops for Sacramento's International Sportsmen's Expo, January 19-22.

Boat shows, the biggest of which is ISE, make up a major portion of Gone Fishin's marketing year (to the tune of nearly 6000 square feet of exhibit space this time around). But the term "boat show" is nowhere near where it ends for our ISE plans. As a full-service dealership, GFM has something to offer to all on-the-water sportsmen. If the boat is fine, but your engine could use an overhaul or replacement, there’s already a lot to chat about with the service staff there.

Boat shoppers can enjoy numerous benefits dealing with a Top 100 dealer (besides the enormous inventory to choose from)- the shop will have boat show special financing options for qualified credit buyers, bulk rates for boat insurance coverage, and 3 year maintenance plans from Gone Fishin's Certified Premier service department at a major discount off retail pricing.

Already have a boat? Then the fun has only begun- besides just strolling by to see what's new on the market, current boat owners can sign up for programs like Triton Gold tournament rewards, the 2012 Triton Owners Tournament or Bass Pro's Tournament Reward$ program. GFM's service department will have a variety of custom-built specials on tap to keep your boat safely and reliably a-sail for the new season; plus discount offers for fishing equipment, boating accessories, and parts.... You name it, Gone Fishin' can help.

Boat or no, everyone is welcome to grab the information at the show and later join GFM's extracurricular offerings like Ultimate Bass University, boater education courses, and on-the-water boat tests. All this. All at ISE.

Stop by the Dixon, CA shop for a discount coupon, and plan on coming to Cal Expo between January 19-22.  Follow along at facebook.com/pages/Gone-Fishin-Marine for previews, special announcements and promotions!

Tickets are also available for purchase online!

Christmas is already upon us?! Well, by the 20th, we'll definitely need a break in the action, and some time to kick back with our fishin' buddies and just enjoy a good time together in the true spirit of the season. (Doesn't hurt that we'll have a little something to munch on, a few good deals to be made if you're in shopping mode, and free entry for door prizes along the way).

Bring the family along for special treats and activities Tuesday, December 20th starting at 3:00pm! We'll continue the fun with ULTIMATE BASS UNIVERSITY beginning at 6:30....

~Entry is FREE all day, and for all activities
~Refreshments are ON THE HOUSE (so leave room for a little snack)
~The main raffle is FREE (so free up a little space in the car for some extra goodies)
~We will, of course, continue our holiday tradition of games and prizes (like our Merry Flippin' Contest)
~AND if you (or your date) is still shopping, we'll have a STOREWIDE SALE on Tackle, Rods, Reels, Parts & Accessories
~AND if you bring your own container, we'll have bulk outboard oil on sale for $20/gal!

Our warmest congratulations to Ike Milton of Vacaville, CA! Gone Fishin' Marine, JetCraft Boats, Mercury Outboards, and California Inland Fisheries Foundation worked hard throughout 2011 to sell, sell, sell those raffle tickets. The boat traveled all over Northern California, and back on September 17th at the annual CIFFI dinner, GFM regular, Ike Milton, won the whole thing! Throughout the year, Ike parked in the Finance office at least once a week to "make a payment on [his] boat." Just goes to show what a little extra work can do!

Congratulations Ike- enjoy the years to come on the water!

EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE is Reading Bass Angler Magazine!

No tricks this month, just treats.... Like welcoming the FLW Everstart's newest Angler of the Year, Richard Dobyns to Ultimate Bass University next Tuesday, October 18th!

Lest we get too complacent thinking we only have to worry if Gary Dobyns shows up to a tournament, here's his son, Richard, to set us straight. Make no mistake, Richard is a formidable angler in his own right. The 2011 FLW Everstart Western series found him in the top 15 four times, and that doesn't even graze the surface of his WON Bass successes and team titles along the way to this year's AOY title! And coming up? Richard is hitting the road for the 2012 season on the FLW National Tour! If it's not enough that he's taking names on the water, the younger Dobyns is also a major creative force in product development and testing at Dobyns Rods.

Richard Dobyns is probably best known for his finesse tactics that land tons of spotted bass on lakes like Shasta and Oroville- so we asked him to hit on those topics for starters. BUT.... Please bring your questions and curiosities! After the fun we had with Randy McAbee and Ish Monroe, it's clear that the more questions you bring, the more custom fit the presentation, and the more we all get out of it. (That is, after all, the entire point of UBU)!

~ The seminar starts at 6:30pm, on Tuesday, October 18th. This is the only UBU of the year with an admission price- please bring a new, unwrapped toy (or several) for our annual Toys for the Troops Kids collection! (If you prefer, you can buy in for $10 instead, but we think toy shopping is way more fun).

~ The refreshments are free.

~ And so is the main raffle.