SPARTA, TN (February 2016) – Orion Coolers has announced FLW Tour angler Shawn Murphy has been added to its pro staff for 2016.

Murphy has fished professionally on the FLW Tour for 5 years and was named the Rookie of the Year in 2011.  He has numerous top 10 finishes in FLW competition and plans to compete on the FLW Tour circuit in 2016.

 “I’ve used other coolers on the market, and they don’t compare.  Orion Coolers have exceeded my expectations,” Murphy said.  “I’m really excited to be part of Team Orion.”

“Shawn Murphy knows how to make a splash in fishing… earning Rookie of the Year in his first year as a Pro FLW Tournament Fisherman is just an example," said Orion Coolers president Eric Jackson.  "I am fired up to work with him on the tour this year with Orion Coolers and expect big things from him!”

Orion Coolers have a number of features and innovations unique to the premium, rugged cooler market:

• Multi-color, camo plastic blend exteriors make every single Orion cooler unique. Color options include: Forest, Blaze, Jungle, Dorado, Bluefin and Stone.
• YakAttack gear tracks allow for adding accessories without drilling. Add holders for fishing rods, phones, cups, cameras, fish finders, GPS and more with RAM accessory integration
• Four aluminum tie down points at each corner that double as bottle openers and two additional tie down points on either side for secure transport
• Low-profile, camming latches that are hinging for ease of use and snag-free when loading or using the cooler as a fly fishing casting platform
• Lockable via padlocks on the corners, both to secure the cooler and to seal it shut
• A grippy standing pad comes standard with all Orion Coolers providing a stable, comfortable platform when standing or sitting.
• Strong, motorcycle-style carry handles with reinforced climbing ropes provide long lasting comfort and sure grip in tough conditions
• MADE IN USA for quality craftsmanship and rugged construction. Orion Coolers are molded by molding experts right next to Jackson Kayaks in Sparta, Tennessee
• Constructed with a rugged, roto-molded polyethylene shell and at least 2” of insulation  for durable performance
• A solid thermoformed plastic tray inside the cooler allows for drainage but won’t let smaller items fall through like they would with standard wire mesh trays found elsewhere
• Smart, real-world sizing accommodates common items like wine, 2 liter bottles or a case of cans that can stand upright. They also fit on common hitch haul carriers, behind a kayak seat and within airline baggage requirements (model dependent)
• Available in six sizes– Orion 25, Orion 35, Orion 45, Orion 55, Orion 65 and Orion 85.

About Orion Coolers

Based in Sparta, TN, Orion Coolers produces premium rugged coolers with enhanced features and durable performance. The Orion Cooler team of designers, molding experts, hunters, anglers and kayakers is committed to developing products that will perform in the harshest environments. All products are field tested in extreme conditions by a team of dedicated outdoor enthusiasts before new designs are approved and released to the public. Orion Coolers are produced alongside Jackson Kayak known for exceptional whitewater kayaks, fishing kayaks, recreational kayaks and stand up paddleboards. Orion Coolers. Never Lose Your Cool. Learn more at OrionCoolers.com

Courtesy Anglers Channel /  Vance McCullough's blog

“My go-to is the Mop Jig,” shared Murphy, noting that he used the lure extensively to win the 2011 FLW Rookie of the Year title – when he chose to buy and use Buckeye Lures because he believed in them.

The 35-year-old contractor from Nicholasville, Kentucky expects the unique jig to work well again on this year’s FLW Tour. “I’m looking at Chickamauga, Eufaula, and a couple of other places with a good ledge bite and I just can’t wait to get out there with the Mop Jig. That’s definitely my money-making lure!”

By ‘ledge bite’ Murphy doesn’t always mean ‘deep bite’. “I have caught bass on it in 3 feet of water. I’ve also caught them in 45 feet of water with it.”

What makes the Mop Jig so productive? “The skirt. It looks like it has a breeze blowing across it all the time. It just keeps waving.”

Though Murphy chuckles at the occasional 8-incher that will attack the lure, the Mop Jig is a big bait for big bass and he dresses it accordingly. “For a trailer, I like either a big brush hog or a Strike King Rage Craw.”

If the jig bite slows, Murphy can often get the fish fired up again by swimming a soft plastic lure on a J-Will Swimbait head.

Of course, there are times when Murphy has to check-down to his numbers bait. “When we go to Smith or Beaver Lake, that Spot Remover is the deal.”  

When conditions call for an aggressive approach (Lake Toho and the Potomac River come to mind) "Buckeye makes a great buzzbait," said Murphy.

“Shawn is a great fisherman,” said Jeremy Altman of Buckeye Lures, “and he used Buckeye Lures anyway - even before we signed a deal with him - which says a lot about his commitment to the product line. When we decided to add to our pro staff, Shawn was a natural choice.”

Explore the classic, Tour-tested Buckeye lures, as well as the newest product offerings at BuckeyeLures.com.

And follow Shawn Murphy and his fellow Tour pros on AnglersChannel.com and the Progressive Bass Wrap Up TV Show.

Shawn Murphy, the reigning FLW Tour Rookie of the Year from Kentucky, has signed a sponsorship deal with Cabin Creek Bait Company.

"We've watched Shawn grow in his career from a modest start fishing local tournaments to become one of the most notable professionals on the FLW Tour," said Stephen Pyle, one of the 30-year-old company's new owners. "We couldn't pass up the opportunity to support him and his efforts."

Murphy used Cabin Creek tubes en route to a 37th-place showing, worth $10,000, in the recent FLW Tour event at Beaver Lake.

“It’s nice to see the new ownership of Cabin Creek working hard to return the company to its former glory," he said. "They were able to overnight me a shipment of tubes that helped me catch five fish on day 2. It’s very simple, their product catches fish.”