Meet Our Team

With an emphasis on family and fun, Indiana angler and GRBY Tournament Director Cole Ritter rides a wave of passion into his fourth year of competitive kayak fishing. With a Grass Roots Yak Bassin’ win under his belt and continual top-ten presence, Ritter keeps his eye on the true prize: camaraderie, friendships and time well spent. Look for Cole in the top five this year and as he puts his pedal drive to the metal and kicks things up a notch.

Kayak: Hobie PA 14 Camo

New Jersey native Henry “Hank” Veggian lives in North Carolina where he’s been a kayak tournament fisherman since 2012. He won his first tournament check in a national event at the KBF Open on Kentucky Lake in 2016 and currently works as a tournament director for Carolina Kayak Anglers, a regional director for KBF (Mid-Atlantic Trail Region) and a widely published writer and public speaker. Since he started using a Ketch board in 2017 he has measured over 8,000 inches (1/8 of a mile) of Largemouth Bass in tournament competition.

• 2019 KBF State Challenge Champion (North Carolina)
• 3rd Place, KBF Trail (Chickamauga, 2019)
• 7th Place, KBF-FLW Cup (Ouachita, 2019)
• 6 Time KBF National Championship Qualifier 
• Cover Photo/feature Story, Wildlife in North Carolina magazine (spring 2019)
• Jackson Kayak Fishing Team 

Kayak: Jackson Bite FD

Small water and a johnboat. Indiana fishermen and tournament veteran Jim Strunk has been fishing his entire life. Having discovered kayak fishing in 2016, Strunk has quickly become a leader, innovator and influencer in the space. Founder of the popular and ever-growing Grass Roots Bass Yakin series and inventor of the Flipit Tourney ID Holder he’s also racked up some impressive stats in a short time.

• 4 Time KBF National Kayak qualifier
• 2017 SIYAK AOY and Club championship runner-up
• 2018 SIYAK AOY and Club Champion
• 2019 SIYAK Club Champion runner up
• 2019 and 2020 SIYAK Crossroads Team member
• 61 Top Ten Finishes

Kayak: Hobie PA 14

Sponsors:
Ketch Products Inc.
On The Water Innovations
Dakota Lithium
Neverlost Gear
Kistler Custom Rods
Sun Valley Sports Indy Hobie Fishing Team member
Wicked Weights
Bite Freak Customs

A central IL kayak tournament angler specializing in power plant lakes and shot-gunning beers. A threat to win anywhere and anytime, Patrick “Pooti” Tharp is the stuff of launch ramp legend. When not dominating the IL Kayak Bass League or the Michigan Kayak Trail, the flip-flop favoring fisherman can often be found building custom baits and rods over a large bowl of Ramen Noodles.

• 2019 MKT AOY and 2018 MKT AOY runner up
• 2019 1st place Jay Diz/KBL Newton open
• 2017 1st place MKT Gull lake
• 2018 1st place MKT White lake
• 2019 1st place MKT Muskegon lake
• 2019 1st KBL Spring Lake

Kayak: Hobie PA 14

Sponsor:
Ketch Products, Inc.

Hailing from Chicago, IL, Rodney Hicks knows his way around. From rivers to lakes this power-fishing specialist has made his energy and infectious attitude known to larger audiences. Like many, social media platforms led to the discovery of competitive kayak fishing and it was not long before Hicks found himself cashing checks, representing sponsors and educating people about technique on regionally televised cable network shows like Midwest Outdoors TV. Rodney currently fishes trail events for Kayak Bass Fishing, IL Kayak Bass League and Great Lakes Kayak Fishing Series.

• First Place, May Event – Great Lakes Kayak Fishing
• Midwest Outdoors Feature Fishing Segments 2018 and 2019

Kayak: Bonafide SS127

Sponsors:
Ketch Products, Inc
Dakota Lithium Batteries
Neverlost Gear
Smith Optics