Bait Rigs Pro-Staff
Bait Rigs is out of the office and will resume shipping on Monday March 27th.
Jeff Evans
Jeff Evans has been guiding fishing trips for over 26 years in northern, Wisconsin. Born in Hayward and eventually moving to Ashland, he grew up fishing all over the northwest part of the state. He’s a multi species guide that targets anything from crappies and walleyes to smallmouth and muskies. A true fishing junkie, his favorite fish to catch is “The next one that bites.” Learning his trade while in college from several Hall OF Fame fishing guides, Jeff emphasizes customer service and customizing each day to the people in his boat. His guide service operates seven days a week throughout the year and covers a wide range water from the Hayward Lakes to Chequamegon Bay in Ashland and the St. Louis River in Superior. Jeff lives in Iron River, WI with his wife LeeAnn and daughter Morgan.
- U.S.C.G. Coast Guard Captain
- Owner – Jeff Evans Fishing Guides
- Cover of Bass Master Magazine
- Appearances and Host of Babe Winkelman’s Good Fishing
- Appearances on Host on Trophy Fish Hunter
- Appearances on ESPN Outdoors & In Pursuit Television
- Contributing reporter for Lindner’s Angling Buzz Television and AnglingBuzz.com
- Contributing writer for Wisconsin Outdoor Fun
Favorite Bait Rigs Products:
Jeff Evans Fishing Guides
www.jeffevansfishing.com
715-292-1424
Brian Harford
Professional Crappie Angler - Crappie Masters, Florida Crappie Club
Brian has been an avid outdoorsman all his life. Whether in the woods chasing trophy whitetail or on the water catching big crappie. Brian loves to spend time with family and friends in God's country. A former pro staff member of Bushwacker Outdoors TV where he shot video of his great outdoor adventures.
- 2019 Crappie Masters National Qualifier
- Former committee member with DU & NRA
- Certified instructor for the HOF NOD kids fishing program
Brian spends a lot of time teaching our youth about the great sport of Fishing thru aquatic resources. Program called Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs. Brian has devoted a lot of his time fishing for crappie year-round!
- Favorite fishing techniques- trolling; long lining, pushing, and one pole jigging
- Fishing tips; don't chase anyone's tail but your own! Don't ever give up, stay persistent!
Favorite Bait Rigs Products:
Tommy Hicks
Tommy's success in guiding stems from his passion for fishing, entertaining clients, and his love for his home area fishery in the Apostle Islands. Born and raised in Ashland WI, he was lucky enough to learn and master the sport and develop a respect for Lake Superior and the fish that inhabit the waters. Whether on hard water, or out in the open water Tommy feels at home. His goal is to show clients the best guide experience available in the Apostle Islands, while teaching safety techniques and practices.
Tommy is also part of the exclusive Clam Ice Team, and the Vexilar Pro Team. His Ice fishing experience is second to none, on inland and on the Great Lakes!
- Captain Tommy Hicks
- Owner – Beyond The Catch Guide Service
Favorite Bait Rigs Products:
Beyond The Catch Guide Service
www.beyondthecatch.com
715-292-4342
Bret Alexander
Bret has 40 years of fishing experience on Green Bay and 15 years of guiding experience. You're in great hands with his team of professionals.
Alexander's Fishing Guide and Charter Service offers the opportunity to fish with professionals having over 25 years of experience. Their knowledge of Lake Michigan, Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, and the Fox and Menominee Rivers, allows them to provide an exceptional fishing excursion.
Specializing in:
- Door County Smallmouth Bass & Walleye Fishing
- Sturgeon Bay Walleye and Smallmouth Bass Fishing
- Menominee River Walleye & Sturgeon Fishing
- Green Bay Walleye Fishing
- Fox River Walleye Fishing
- Green Bay Musky Fishing
As a fully insured and licensed United States Coast Guard Charter Captain, Bret is CPR/AED certified and a licensed EMT-B,(Emergency Medical Technician).
Bret has been featured in a variety of articles and publications, including Wisconsin Sportsman Magazine, In Fisherman, and Midwest Outdoors.
Bret Alexander, premier guide, is a known tournament participant and television personality.
TV APPEARANCES INCLUDE
- In Fisherman
- Trophy Fish Hunter
- John Gillespie's Waters & Woods
- Kent Hrbek Outdoors (#14 Minnesota Twins)
- Legends of Rod & Reel
- Midwest Outdoors
- Ford Outfitters TV
- Keyes Outdoors
- Babe Winkelman TV
- Big Fish 365
- North American Fisherman
- Northland Adventures
- Fishing the Midwest with Bob Jensen
- Discover WI
- Fox Sports News (Green Bay)
Favorite Bait Rigs Products:
Alexander's Fishing Guide
www.alexandersportfishing.com/
920-851-4214
Josh Kragthorpe
Josh lives in Grand Rapids, MN where he is a part time Muskie guide. Josh guides solely for muskies and has been at it since 2002. His passion for muskies, drives him to fish from the beginning of the season all the way through until the lakes freeze.
Josh has been a contributor and tester for the development of many of today’s top Muskie baits and is a great addition to Bait Rigs Tackle Co.
Josh Kragthorpe favorite Bait Rigs Products
Josh Kragthorpe
763-517-3635
Jeremy Baalke
We are proud to add Jeremy Baalke as a member of the Bait Rigs Pro-Staff. Jeremy has been instrumental in the design and creation of multiple popular Musky baits. Well respected in our industry, Jeremy is an exceptional angler and true innovator, pioneering new methods, and products that have helped today's Muskie anglers catch more fish. Jeremy lives in Tomahawk, WI where he is a high school teacher and basketball coach. His passion is musky fishing and the never-ending challenges it provides. He has years of experience in lure design and development. His summers are spent chasing esox in northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Canada with family and friends.
Favorite Bait Rigs Products:
Steve Herbeck
We are proud to say that Steve is a long time member of the Bait Rigs Pro-Staff. Steve has been instrumental in the design and creation of the Esox Cobra family of jigs and Viper Spinner Baits. Considered one of America's greatest Muskie authorities, Steve is a legendary angler and true innovator, pioneering many of the methods, techniques and products that have helped to build and shape today's Muskie industry.
Steve is the owner of Andy Meyer's Lodge on beautiful Eagle Lake, Ontario and has guided and produced many big fish for clients in America and Canada. Steve's personal best accomplishments include having guided clients to 27 Muskies over 40 LBS on Eagle Lake with the largest fish measuring 56" and an estimated weight of over 50 lbs. Additionally, Steve holds two Big-Fish Wisconsin state records in 1987 and 1992, the largest fish weighing in at 47 lbs. 10 oz.
Steve is a featured writer, seminar speaker and personality, sharing his ideas and concepts with In-Fisherman, Muskie Hunter, Esox Angler, Midwest Outdoors and other leading outdoor media sources.
Steve Herbeck favorite Bait Rigs Products
Sponsors: Bait Rigs Tackle Co., Ranger Boats, Mercury Outboard Motors, Heckel's Marine, and Musky Innovations
Steve Herbeck Contact Information:
www.andymyerslodge.com
email: info@andymyerslodge.com
888-727-5865 toll free
Daryl Christensen
Walleye Pro Daryl Christensen
Daryl is one of the most respected pros on the Professional Walleye Trail
Home: Montello, Wisconsin
E-Mail: mailto: gr8fish@palacenet.net
Home Waters: Lake Winnebago and the Fox River system
Circuits Fished: Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) and Masters Walleye Circuit MWC
Accomplishments: 1998 Super Pro Champion; fourteen-time national championship qualifier; 1986 WBFA State Champion; 26 top-ten finishes in walleye and bass tournaments, including seven firsts and eight seconds; author of four books and one jigging video with over 500 articles in various publications.
Favorite Fishing Technique: Jigging, jigging and more jigging.
Another favorite is casting spoons and crankbaits.
Fishing Tip: Learn all you can about the fish's habits. Not only will you find more, but you will catch more.
Promotions in 1999-2000: More than 50 seminars and clinics at clubs, boat and trade shows across the country; six webpages; articles in several magazines; radio and television interviews.
Daryl Christensen's favorite Bait Rigs Products
Rob Manthei
Rob is a professional angler, registered guide, writer and TV personality. Rob, is an accomplished Walleye tournament angler and former winner of the 2004, MWC Team Of The Year. Rob can be seen frequently on TV, as a guide and guest host on Esox Angler's The Next Bite and John Gellespie's, Waters and Woods weekly fishing TV program. As a writer, Rob is featured in Esox Angler and Wisconsin Sportsman's Magazin.
Well known as a consistent producer of big Muskies, Walleyes and Smallmouth, Rob is a 13 year resident, specializing in guiding open water and ice fishing in the remote areas of Vilas County, Wisconsin. As owner and operator of the St. Germain Lodge and Fibber's Bar & Restaurant, Rob provides his clients with a unique and memorable fishing experience in one of Northern Wisconsin's most pristine and scenic areas.
Rob Manthei -Guide Service & Fishing Report
Rob Manthei's Fishing Guide Service
Fibber's Resort
715-891-0049
Rob Manthei
7756 Hiawatha Circle
St. Germain, WI 54558
Rob's favorite Bait Rigs Product
Lee Tauchen
Lee is a Bait Rigs Pro-Staff member and field tester who is one of America's most successful young Muskie guides. Lee's Guide Service covers waters in both Wisconsin and Minnesota including Mille Lacs Lake in Central Minnesota. Lee has produced numerous fish in the 50 LB Class and one fish that may have surpassed the Minnesota State Record of 54 LBS. The monster fish measured 55.5" by 27.5" and was released to be caught again. Lee is a writer and contributor for Esox Angler Magazine and has been featured on Lindners Angling Edge TV, Next Bite TV and Woods & Waters TV series.
- Regular writer for The Next Bite/Esox Angler Magazine
- Featured on Lindner's Angling Edge TV
- Featured on The Next Bite TV
- Featured on Woods & Waters TV
- Featured on Badfish Outdoors Video
- Seminar Speaker
Today's Angler Guide Service
608-444-2180
Lee Tauchen
465 N. Main St.
Cottage Grove, WI 53527
Lee's websites:
LeeTauchen.com & LeeLures.com
Lee's favorite Bait Rigs Product
- Esox Cobra WilloBeast Action Tail Bucktail
- Esox Cobra Viper Spinner Bait
- Bait Rigs Viper 2, PreyFish Mag 10 Bucktail
Tony Puccio
Walleye Professional Tony Puccio
Home: Madison, Wisconsin
Home Waters: Mississippi River Pool 4, Lake Wissota and the Chippewa River
Circuits fished: Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) and Masters Walleye Circuit MWC
Accomplishments:
- 1991 MWC Father Son Team of the Year
- Twelve time World Walleye Championship qualifier
- Three time winner MWC qualifying tournaments and one Wisconsin Governors Opener winner
- Nineteen top ten finishes in MWC and other walleye tournaments
- Numerous walleye fishing articles including a monthly fishing report in a local newsletter
- Several area walleye seminars each year and several Northland Adventures TV show appearances.
Favorite Fishing Technique: Trolling, casting, jigging, rigging and Ice fishing using Walleye Willospoons
Fishing tip: Fish as much as you can and keep records of all of the facts about your trip weather it was successful or not, the information will help you in the future.
Tony's favorite Bait Rigs Products
- AstroBrite Blades
- Odd'Ball Jigs
- Walleye Willospoons
- Esox Cobra Viper Spinner Bait
- Bait Rigs Viper 2, PreyFish Mag 10 Bucktail
Mike Pecosky
Musky and Walleye Pro Mike Pecosky
Home Waters: Madison chain of lakes in Wisconsin
Circuits Fished: Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit, PMTT, Professional Walleye Trail, RCL League Wisconsin
Accomplishments:
- 2005 PMTT Ranger boats World Championship on Lake Minnetonka
- 2005 PMTT Cave Run Lake, 11th place
- 2004 PMTT Ranger Boats World Championship on Lake Chautauqua 4th place
- 2004 PMTT Top Gun Team of the Year, 6th place
- 2004 PMTT Musky Hunter Fall Showdown on Lake Minnetonka, MN 21st place
- 2004 PMTT Mercury Marine Summer Challenge on Eagle River Chain, Eagle River, WI 8th place
- 2003 PMTT Mercury Marine Summer Challenge on Eagle River Chain, Eagle River, WI 21st place
- Professional Walleye Trail Pro/Am 1999-2003
- 6th place Chamberlain, SD
- 8th place Devils Lake, North Dakota
- 31st place Leech Lake, Mn
- 34th place Lake Sakakawea, ND
- 41st place Lake Winnebago
- Fished in 10 PWT events as amateur
Favorite Fishing Techniques: I love jigging with a spinning rod and reel. You can catch fish anywhere in the country with this presentation. My favorite musky presentations are casting bucktails, crank baits and jerk baits. When the fishing is tough and the fish are suspended or in transition I like to troll. Some of my biggest catch and release fish are caught trolling every year.
Fishing TipS: Gather and read as much information about the fish you would like to catch. Hire a fishing guide to get started. Time on the water will improve your fishing the most! Practice and learn good boat control and your fishing success will become very consistent. A happy wife is a happy life.
Mike Pecosky is the owner of Peacocks Enterprises and the operator of Best Bite Fishing Adventures. He is offering professionally guided trips on the Madison area lakes, Lake Wisconsin, WI & Fox rivers. He offers special musky adventures in Iron and Vilas County WI. Mike has over forty years experience fishing WI. waters for musky, walleye and northern pike.
Mike Pecosky
Best Bite Fishing Adventures
http://web.me.com/peacocksenterprises/Site/Welcome.html
email Mike peacocks@dishmail.net
608-345-2761
Gregg Thomas
Gregg Thomas, Professional Musky Tournament Trail (PMTT) champion and is the PMTT all time money winner.
Gregg is a Bait Rigs Tackle Pro-Staff Member and Field Tester. Gregg uses jigs frequently when tournament fishing. According to Gregg, the Esox Cobra® is his go to Muskie jig and Cobra's have contributed significantly to his success as a professional Muskie angler. Gregg uses Cobra Tails and ESOX Cobra Jig with Reaper Tails®, shad bodies, Grub Tails and a Lizards . One of Gregg's favorite jig bites occurs in the spring when Muskies are cruising in the shallows. Gregg says, "The Cobras swim and standup on bottom better then any other jig head out there and the Mustad® Ultra-Point hook provides the positive hook set I need to bring fish to the boat."
- 2001: Won Professional Musky Tournament Trail (PMTT) event on Lake Minnetonka and finished fourth out of 50 teams during the PMTT SEASON
- 2000: Top Five Cabin Fever Challenge, Third place PMTT Invitational
- 1999: PMTT "Team of the Year" Honors, PMTT Invitational Champion at Kinkaid Lake, PMTT Trail Tournament Runner-Up at Chautauqua Lake, Top Ten at Cave Run Lake, and Top Ten at Lake Saint Clair, Kentucky Chapter of Muskies Inc. Spring Tournament Runner-Up and Fall Tournament Champion, Kentucky Chapter of Muskies Inc. Masters Release Champion, and Largest Fish Honors for the Kentucky Chapter of Muskies Inc. and Kentucky Silver Musky Club
- 1998: Kentucky Chapter of Muskies Inc. Masters Release Champion, Top Ten Honors Nationally in Muskies Inc. Releases, and Largest Fish Runner-up Honors for the Kentucky Chapter of Muskies Inc. Masters Division
- 1997: Kentucky Silver Musky Club Spring Tournament Champion, Kentucky Chapter of Muskies Inc. Fall Tournament Champion, Kentucky Chapter of Muskies Inc. Masters Release Champion, and Top Ten Honors Nationally in Muskies Inc. Releases.
- 1996: Kentucky Chapter of Muskies Inc. Junior Release Champion, Kentucky Silver Musky Club Prince Release Champion, and Largest Fish Honors for the Kentucky Chapter of Muskies Inc. Junior Division.
Gregg Thomas - Battle the Beast' Guide Service
Battle The Beast.com
email Gregg gregg@battlethebeast.com
606-776-6729
Gregg Thomas's favorite Bait Rigs Products
Todd Riley
Bait Rigs Tackle Co. of Madison, WI is proud to announce that Pro Staff team member Todd Riley, using Serious Walleye Rigs with AstroBriteTM Blades, is the winner of the prestigious Saginaw Bay RCL Walleye Tournament.
Dateline June, 2002
Saginaw Michigan, Bait Rigs Pro Todd Riley of Amery, Wisconsin notches his first professional tournament victory winning over $90,000 in cash and prizes. "I have taken just about every place, but first in professional Walleye tournaments," said Riley. "This is just great. You work so hard to get here, and finally, when everything goes as planned, it is truly a great experience."
"I didn't do anything fancy to catch Walleyes all week," said Riley."I just came from a tournament in Wisconsin and still had my Bait Rigs Spinners tied on when I started pre-fishing. I stuck with the same spinners throughout the tournament." "We could catch Walleyes when we were fishing in an area that was receiving pressure, but the best move was to head away from the pack" said Riley. "The bigger Walleyes seemed to shut down when you had too many people pressuring them. We worked contours from 20 to 28 feet using Bait Rigs #5 Colorado Serious Walleye Rigs in the new AstroBrite colors."
The big fish were suspended and were really keying on the Sunfish colored blades. These were my GO TO blades and I always had at least two of them in the water for the entire tournament. Riley's impressive one day weight of 38 lbs. 1oz. for (5) fish help him solidify the victory. Among his largest Walleyes, Todd had several 30" fish and one monster that weighed in at over 11 lbs. AstroBrite Blades are among the industry's most comprehensive live bait spinner blades. These unique color finishes produce shimmering tones and subtle hues that simulate many of North America's most preferred bait fish.
Todd Riley's favorite Bait Rigs Products
- AstroBrite Blades
- Pro-Erie Rigs with AstroBrite Blades
- Big Water Rigs with AstroBrite Blades
- Serious Walleye Rigs with AstroBrite Blades
Keith Eshbaugh
Keith Eshbaugh
Keith Eshbaugh and Jeff Behr
MWC 2005 Team of the Year
Professional Walleye Angler and Guide
Keith is most published and only Full Time walleye professional in Pennsylvania.
Home: West Alexander, PA.
Tournament winnings: over $80,000
Circuits fished: Professional Walleye Trail (PWT), Kinzua Allegheny Walleye Association (KAWA), Wal-Mart RCL Circuit and Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit.
Accomplishments:
- 2005 & 2006 MWC Masters Walleye Circuit Championship Qualifier
- 2006 PMTT Professional Musky Tournament Trail Championship Qualifier
- Four-time winner of the Pittsburgh 3 Rivers walleye classic
- 2005 Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit East Division Team of the Year
- Four-time Cabela's NTC Championship qualifier
- 2004 Pensivania Walleye Team of the Year
- RCL Championship qualifier
- 6 big fish awards from various tournaments
- 2000 2nd place Saginaw Bay Michigan
- 2001 1st place Pymatuning Lake
- 2003 5th place RCL Illinois River
- Over 13 top 10 finishes at local tournaments
- 6 top 20 finishes on professional circuit
- 2 First Place finishes in 2004
- In-Fisherman
- Western Reserve Walleye Club
- Kinzua Allegheny Walleye Association
- Pittsburgh Downriggers
Goals: To promote fishing, and tournaments, educate anglers to how they can catch more and bigger fish, keep kids interested in Fishing.
Sponsors: Bait Rigs Tackle, Reef Runner lures, Berkley, Pure Fishing, Offshore Tackle, Ranger Boats, Mercury Motors, Hookhider Rods, Beckman Nets, Pa's Lures, S and S Bait and Tackle, Boat, fish, fun shop, SR Trout Supply, Quigley Motor Company.
Keith Eshbaugh's favorite Bait Rigs Products
- Odd'Ball Jigs
- The Original Slo-Poke Jigs
- Walleye Willospoons
- AstroBrite Blades
- Serious Walleye Rigs with AstroBrite Blades
Chris Spiering
Captain Chris is a full time professional guide with a multiple boat operation covering the waters of Green Bay, Green Bay tributaries, the Lake Winnebago System, and Lake Michigan. He can be found on the water over 200 days a year. Chris's specialties are Walleye fishing and Great Lakes Salmon fishing. Captain Chris is a highly sought after seminar speaker speaking at many locations throughout the Midwest. He is also featured on many regional television shows, as well as the pages of many fishing publications. Chris is very adamant towards angler education as the main focus of his business is to leave his clients with information they can use again and again on their return trips to the water. Captain Chris is also a product and promotional specialist, helping his impressive list of sponsors develop product.
Captain Chris has two absolute monster walleyes to his credit, a 13 pound 3 oz. walleye caught and released in 2005 while jigging an Odd Ball Jig on the Fox River, and a 34 1/2" 15 pound 5oz. giant caught and released in 2001 while casting crank baits also on the Fox River in De Pere, WI.
My goals are very simple yet large. I want to be as popular as the top pro's only climbing the ladder from a promotional side instead of a tournament side.
- 2004: Two wins and RCL championship qualifyer
- 2005: One Win
- 2006: Two wins in and a big fish award and 16 top ten finishes over all 80% finishes in the money
- 2007: Top five finish, two other money finishes
Capt. Chris Spiering
610 Trumpeter Trail Suite #1
De Pere, WI 54115
Book a Charter with Chris at
www.bigseacharters.com
email Chris chris@bigseacharters.com
920-660-7275
Capt. Chris Spiering's favorite Bait Rigs Products
Bill Reabe
Walleye Professional Bill Reabe
Home: Eau Claire, Wisconsin
E-Mail: mailto: saugerguy@aol.com
Home Waters: Mississippi River Pool 4, Lake Wissota and the Chippewa River
Circuits fished: Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) and Masters Walleye Circuit MWC
Accomplishments:
- 1991 MWC Father Son Team of the Year
- Twelve time World Walleye Championship qualifier
- Three time winner MWC qualifying tournaments and one Wisconsin Governors Opener winner
- Nineteen top ten finishes in MWC and other walleye tournaments
- Numerous walleye fishing articles including a monthly fishing report in a local newsletter
- Several area walleye seminars each year and several Northland Adventures TV show appearances.
Favorite Fishing Technique: Trolling, casting, jigging, rigging and Ice fishing using Walleye Willospoons
Fishing tip: Fish as much as you can and keep records of all of the facts about your trip weather it was successful or not, the information will help you in the future.
Bill Reabe's favorite Bait Rigs Products
Bait Rigs Tackle Company 1812 3rd St West Ashland, WI. 54806 USA www.baitrigs.com
