Pro Staff
Jamie Bardsley
I have been chasing catfish for most of my life . I got hooked on them at an early age fishing from the bank on the Arkansas river throughout my journey I have used many different rods but the meathunter rods have always been in the picture. Fast forward to now !! I have been blessed to have caught some trophy size cats over the years 😊 I enjoy tournament catfishing ( I’m not good at it) I have got to fish in many different states and many different rivers&lakes.. I am the tournament director for the AACH —-NATURAL STATE CATFISH TRAIL for the last several years .. I always try to promote releasing the big catfish and eating the small ones. Thank you Meat Hunter Rods for allowing me to promote your business .. you are truly great people!!!!
Jamie Bardsley
Greg Maze
I'm originally from Saint Simon's Island, Georgia. I grew up going offshore fishing on the beach for all different species of fish.
I then moved to Pine Mountain, Georgia, where I lived for 28 years while owning a landscape company. I started hosting catfish tournaments in the local area. I relocated to Guntersville, Alabama, where I started fishing bigger tournaments and am now sponsored by a lot of great companies.
I try to share my knowledge with others and help anyone I can to learn more about the sport of catfishing. I've met a lot of great people along the way, and I want to do whatever I can to help grow the sport of catfishing for our future anglers.
Happy fishing, see you guys out on the water.
You can also follow me on Facebook and TikTok.
Greg Maze
Larry Muse
I was born in North East Arkansas. I fished with my Granny French, mostly in rivers and ditches. I moved to Mississippi when I was 7 years old. I spent most of my summers in Arkansas with my Granny French fishing. I learned a lot about fishing from her. Granny passed away when I was 19.
I started tournament fishing in 2001 and promoted it heavily. At times, I felt I was the only one who believed it could become what it is today. I have tried to teach others how to fish so the sport of Catfishing could grow. I introduced my dragging rig in 2015, which helped people catch more big fish and made the sport grow significantly.
I was Bass Pro Big Cat Quest 3-time angler of the year in 2013, 2014, and 2015. My biggest fish to weigh in was 101.50, which was during the Bass Pro Big Cat Quest Championship in Wilson Lake, Alabama
My first big tournament win was in 2013 at the Sea Ark Owners Invitational tournament. Then, in 2015, I won the Monsters on the Ohio tournament, where 182 boats of some of the best fishermen competed. My most recent win was at the Mississippi River Monsters Mega Bucks event held in Helena, AR, where the top 4 teams split 85,000 dollars.
I am currently taking Chemotherapy for stage 4 cancer. But with God's help, I plan on winning that fight, too.
Larry Muse
Sterling Tatro
Sterling Tatro is a lifelong angler who loves to catch catfish. He is passionate about growing the sport and spends much of his free time introducing the next generation to fishing. He is committed to developing knowledgeable anglers who exemplify stewardship, sustainability, and appreciation for our lakes and rivers. Sterling founded the Central Arkansas Fishing Community as a way to help remove the known barriers to fishing for youth and all beginner anglers. He actively supports the sport by hosting fishing derbies and workshops throughout the year and participating in numerous catfish tournaments. He is an active member of the ACA and also hosts the Seven Bridges Tournament each year to raise money for local charities. You can follow him @FishWithSterling
Sterling Tatro
The Kegins
We love to catfish and promote the sport of fishing.
My wife and I try to
Live life to the fullest!
Whether we're on the water or ministering to others through charity events. We are always building relationships.
Meat Hunter Rods, owned by Charles Crook, has been one of those relationships that is special.
Meat Hunter Rods staff is more than just a rod company. It's a group of people who care about others.
So, when looking for a fishing rod, why not use one from a great team.
Thanks, Charles, for allowing us to represent you!
The Kegins
Eric Fisser
Hello, my name is Eric Fisser. I'm from a small town in SE Nebraska. My passion is catfishing and hunting. I've been doing both since I was a kid and have learned a lot over the years from other guys. I like to travel to other states and fish and do tournament series when I can. I've been married to my wonderful wife for 16 years now and have 2 boys: one's 17 and a senior, and the other is 15 and a freshman at Raymond High School. I love teaching my boys about the joys of fishing and hunting and making sure they do it the right way when they get older.
Eric Fisser
Shane Martin
My name is Shane Martin. I live in Central Illinois. I have been an avid fisherman ever since I was a kid. My rod of choice is the Meat Hunter Big Game 2.0, the 1st trip I took using them, I caught my new PB of 54 pounds. I have been fishing tournaments for a few years and have had several top 5 finishes. And if there's one thing I have learned in the catfishing world, you are never done learning.
Shane Martin
Chris Fuller
Athens, Alabama.
I have been catfishing seriously since 2007. It was then, I bought my first of many Meat Hunter Rods at an outdoor store in Alma, Arkansas.
I have fished all over the south, from the Arkansas River in Arkansas, Kerr Lake in Okla to the many lakes of the Tennessee in Alabama and Tennessee. I guided in Arkansas and have always enjoyed takng people out on the river to show them the great sport of catfishing.
I have fished many tournament trails, from Cabela's King Kat, tournaments in Arkansas as well as numerous trails in Alabama and Tennessee.
My wife, family and I love chasing big blue cats and have caught two blues over 100 pounds....both on Meat Hunter Rods.
With all the great and practical rods Meat Hunter builds for Catfishing, I love the power and confidence of my many Meat Hunter Customs. They are my Go-To rod each and every day I am on the water.
Chris Fuller
Al St. Cyr
Texas
I've been catfishing my whole life. Grew up fishing the Elm Fork of the Trinity River for flatheads. Started targeting blues in nearby reservoirs soon after. A few of my favorite techniques are anchoring on shallow flats and bank fishing wind-blown shorelines.
Meat Hunter Rods have been a confidence booster to me for years, and my favorites are the 12' Extremes for bank fishing (I've been using the same rod bank fishing for about a decade)! And for boat fishing, you simply can not beat the Boss Hogs! The 7'6" MH is the best all-around rod around, in my opinion!
A few highlights with Meat Hunter Rods have been winning The Catmasters Classic and landing a PB blue of 89 lbs from the bank.
Al St. Cyr
Doc Lange
Originally from Springfield, Ohio, I moved to Lexington, Alabama, in 2020 after retiring. I wanted to fish every day, so I have Wilson, Wheeler, and Pickwick in my backyard, so to speak.
My favorite rod is the Meat Hunter Extreme series; for me, it has the feel and flexibility that I'm looking for in fighting these big fish on the Tennessee River.
Doc Lange
Jeff Lovelace
My name is Jeff Lovelace, and I live in Luka, MS. I grew up fishing on Pickwick Lake but never caught anything big, but about 3 years ago when I met Charles and Joey at Coleman Park, they showed me how to rig for bigger fish. I started catching bigger fish, and now that is about the only thing I want to catch. I am thankful for the people I have met through fishing tournaments and thankful for Meat Hunter Rods for all the fish they have put in the boat for me.
Jeff Lovelace
Mike Hilliard
Mike Hilliard is an avid cat fisherman with many years of experience and has been with Meat Hunter Rods as a pro staff since 2021. He loves deep water catfishing on the Alabama River in Lowndesboro, Alabama, where he lives, but has come to appreciate dragging bait as a primary strategy. Mike grew up noodling catfish and transitioned to the sport of Tournament catfishing as a young adult. Mike is the owner of Curb Appeal Power Wash and is married to Amy Hilliard, a proud father to Finley and stepfather to Parker.
Mike Hilliard
Edward Anderson
I am a United States Marine Corps Veteran and avid catfisherman. The sport of fishing has saved my life and helps my PTSD from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Along with being a tournament angler, I also founded a nonprofit organization that takes veterans and active duty service members on fishing trips so that other veterans that struggle with PTSD can also find peace on the water. To find out more about Tackle 22 Fishing please visit https://www.tackle22fishing.com. My favorite Meat Hunter Rod is the 7ft6in Heavy Action Boss Hog. Thank you to Meat Hunter Rods for supporting our organization and the veterans we serve!
Edward Anderson
Jerry Forman
From Beebe Arkansas
We fish the AACA tournaments, southeastern Arkansas Trail, and the RMR tournaments, and the owner of Forman's Guide Service.
Jerry Forman
Joey Junior
I've been using Meat Hunter Rods for a little over 4 years, and in my opinion, between the many different types of rods that they manufacture here in the US, they are the leading rod company in the states. Whatever type of fishing you are into, Meat Hunter Rods has you covered. I mainly fish for catfish, and my Meat Hunters helped me secure the 2022 World Championship of catfishing title. I am proud to be part of such a great organization and will be a Meat Hunter as long as I'm able to fish.
Joey Junior
Aaron Churchwell
My name is Aaron, and I grew up in Southwest Missouri. I was raised outdoors fishing and hunting, but I fished a lot for sustenance, not for sport. After I served 10 years in the Army, I found fishing to be a release for me. Little did I know it would turn into what it is today.
Now, you can find me chasing whiskered fish all over the country, trying to compete for the top spot in tournaments. I have 2 runner-up finishes for Angler of the Year in The Catmaster Series, and I am known for my versatility everywhere I go. Only God knows where he can take me next!
Aaron Churchwell
Connor McPherson
Catfishing has been a passion of mine my whole life. Entering into the tournament world of catfishing has been one of the greatest things I have ever done. Meat Hunter Rods have been there for me throughout my whole journey, leading us to a win in the Catmaster Classic. My personal favorite Meat Hunter rod is the boss hog, for its versatility in fishing styles and techniques, and it is great for any body of water.
Connor McPherson
Daniel Mata
Daniel Mata, 36 years of age, is from Sacramento, California. I currently work for the United States Air Force as a Logistics Plans Specialist. I have been in the military for 18 years and am currently stationed at Tinker AFB, OK. Fishing is my number one pastime and passion. I have been fishing big tournaments from the Midwest to the East Coast for the past few years. I enjoy the comradery and the fellowship fishing brings to everyone. I also enjoy the competition as I strive to be the best. My biggest blue cat is a 61lb blue cat from Wilson Lake in Alabama. I was particularly thrilled to catch this fish because it was in front of my wife and daughter, and they got to see the thrill of me catching my personal best. My two main goals are to promote CPR (Capture, Picture, Release) and to get veterans more involved in fishing. I would love to see the men and women who have served or are serving be recognized more in the fishing industry and allow them to partake in a great pastime with some great people. The more veterans we can get together to fish, the more we can help our veterans find ways to cope with stress, such as PTSD.
Daniel Mata
Jeff Helm From Killen Alabama..
Avid catfish angler. Loves to fish tournaments across the nation as well as recreational fishing spending most of his time on Wheeler Lake in Alabama chasing Big Blues. Favorite Rods include 8ft Extreme, 7’6” Big Game 2.0 and Flex Rods
