NATIONAL Team Advisors
Ray Martinez
San Antonio, Tx
Stewart Venable
Fort Mill, SC
Will Reed
Blue Ridge, GA
Matt Gibson
Carmel, IN
River Wolf
Woodstock, GA
Buz Bireline
Gainesville, FL
Gene Campbell
Broomfield, CO
Mike Manivanh
Lawrenceville, GA
Tyler Bean
Woodbean, GA
Guillermo Gonzalez
Fort Worth, TX
Chris Hogan
Louisville, KY
Buz Bireline
I believe one of God’s purposes for my life is to help people appreciate and enjoy the outdoors and wildlife. Current career: licensed Florida Realtor and the owner, president and lead adventure guide for Kingfisher Kayak Adventures (Gainesville, Florida). Previously, spent 25 years serving in leadership positions in zoos, aquariums, nature centers and other outdoor recreation facilities. Regional and national tournament bass angler qualifying for state and national championship tournaments. Member of the Florida Hooligans kayak fishing team, a Kayak Bass Team sports league. Volunteer for University of Florida IFAS outreach program: Fishing For Success Family Fishing Days and Honoring the Brave Team River Runner, Wounded Warrior Project. Fun Facts: I have thru-hiked the entire distance of the Appalachian Trail (Maine to Georgia) in 124 days. Recently caught my personal best largemouth bass at 12.94 pounds.
Location: Central Florida
Model: UNLIMITED
Propulsion: Xi3
Waterways: Ponds, Lakes, Rivers
Tournaments: Florida BASS Nation Kayak Series, BASSMASTER Kayak Series, Florida Kayak Bass Trail
Sponsors: Amped Outdoors, St. Croix Rods, Crosskix Footwear, Gill Fishing, Engel Coolers, Shelta Hats, Bosshardt Realty Services, Titan Tungsten, Stream2Sea Sunscreen
Gene Campbell
I am the founder of the True Patriot Outfitters. We are a nonprofit organization designed to provide no cost fishing adventures to active military, veterans, first responders, and their families. I use the media provided by tournament angling to raise awareness to the health benefits of getting out on the water and its positive impact on our nation’s warfighters.
Location: Broomfield, CO
Model: UNLIMITED
Propulsion: NuCanoe EPS – Newport
Waterways: Lakes, Rivers
Tournaments: All American Kayak Series, Colorado Kayak Bassmasters, Bassmaster National Kayak Series
Sponsors: All Terrain Tackle, BlackFish Gear, Amped Outdoors LLC, Vicious Fishing, Eagle Claw / Trokar, Pure Fishing / Berkley / Abu Garcia
Guillermo Gonzales
| Originally from Puerto Rico, and now based in Fort Worth, Texas. While primarily a tournament angler and creative, He is on a mission to inspire and guide newcomers into the sport while showcasing its accessibility to anyone as well as its versatility. While not competing you’ll find Guillermo with either a camera, a bow, or a gun in his hand chasing, whitetails, waterfowl and turkeys. |
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Model: Pursuit
Propulsion: NuCanoe EPS – Newport
Waterways: Ponds, Lakes, Rivers, Saltwater – Inshore
Tournaments: Hobie BOS, Bassmaster Kayak Series, TX Bass Nation, Adventure Kayak Series
Sponsors: Newport Motors, TFO Rods, Yamamoto Baits, Bill Lewis Lures, Buckeye Lures, Steelshad, FishUSA, FPV Power, Simms Fishing, Mariner Sails, Werner Paddles, YakAttack, Ketch Outdoors, Bajio Sunglasses
Matt Gibson
I have always had a passion for fishing since I was young. Literally can’t remember a time in my life that I haven’t fished. Was super fortunate to have great mentors in my dad and grandpa that always spent the time to teach me about the outdoors.
Location: Broomfield, CO
Model: UNLIMITED
Propulsion: NuCanoe EPS – Newport
Waterways: Lakes, Rivers, Ponds
Tournaments: IKA, GRBY, BASSMASTER Kayak
Sponsors: PH custom lures, secret lures, Dubro fishing, Vicious Fishing line
Mike Manivanh
Born and raised in Atlanta, Ga and been around water since I was a kid as my parents would bank fish for panfish for food growing up. Got in to kayak fishing around 2012 and haven’t looked back since.
Location: Lawrenceville, GA
Model: UNLIMITED
Propulsion: NuCanoe EPS – Newport
Waterways: Lakes, Rivers
Tournaments: BASS Nation Kayak Series
Sponsors: Westbrook supply co, Newport Vessels, Boonedox USA, AmpedOutdoor
Ray Martinez
I’m and avid Angler and outdoorsman. Husband and Dad of two boys who join me on my adventures. We spend our quality time outdoors hunting and fishing.
Location: San Antonio, Tx
Model: UNLIMITED
Propulsion: NuCanoe EPS – Newport Nk-180
Waterways: Lakes, Saltwater Inshore
Sponsors: Bending Branches, Newport Vessels, Temple Fork Outfitters, Torch Eyewear
Will Reed
I am a career firefighter with a passion for fishing and photography. For my day job, I fly a drone for Fannin County Fire Department. I and started shooting photography for Nucanoe in 2018 and am now Nucanoe’s in-house photographer and drone camera operator. I grew up fly fishing in North Georgia, that passion for fishing turned into guiding. I now own and operate BR Charters in Blue Ridge Georgia, guiding local waterways. NuCanoe kayaks are a great fit for every type of fishing I do. We have crystal clear waters that stay cold year round. Trout of every variety are my passion, but I also spend a decent amount of time chasing smallmouth along with traveling to chase saltwater species such as tarpon, snook and redfish.
Location: North Georgia
Model: UNLIMITED
Propulsion: Xi3
Waterways: Rivers
Sponsors: Daiwa USA, Yakattack, Amped Outdoors, Gill Fishing
Stewart Venable
Having first fished from a kayak in 2003, I consider myself very lucky to have experienced the incredible evolution of our sport. I began competing at the national level of kayak bass fishing in 2010 and continue to work hard to maintain solid relationships with the best brands, and people , in the industry.
Location: Fort Mill, SC
Model: UNLIMITED
Propulsion: NuCanoe EPS – Newport
Waterways: Rivers, Saltwater Inshore
Sponsors: YakAttack, Dobyns Rods, Bending Branches,
Tyler Bean
| I live in Woodbine, GA. Growing up, I primarily fished saltwater but always had a passion for catching largemouth bass. After getting into kayak fishing, I expanded on my adventures, traveling from Pennsylvania to Texas and all across the Southeast in pursuit of these little green fish. My kayak fishing journey began in 2004 while attending Valdosta State University. My first kayak was a sit-in Johnson Outdoors, and I took it out whenever there was an opportunity. My early fishing spots included the Withlacoochee River and various ponds or lakes near Valdosta, GA. Competitive fishing became a part of my journey in 2013 when I entered my first team tournament, the Adventure Fishing World Championship in Everglades City, Florida. I teamed up with Craig Dye and we secured an impressive 2nd place finish. While that remains my best tournament placement, I find great joy in introducing others to the sport and sharing the camaraderie that comes with kayak fishing. I’m proud to be part of the Westbrook Supply Co. Team and have recently been working with Ryan at the Reel Kayak Shop, to help promote the Nucanoe brand in a different market. My passion for the sport is fueled by the versatility of NuCanoe, which provides the perfect platform for my fishing adventures. Whether I’m ripping reds on the Intracoastal Waterway or searching for shoal bass up a creek, I know there’s a NuCanoe ready to tackle the challenge. |
Location: Woodbean, GA
Model: UNLIMITED
Propulsion: NuCanoe EPS – Newport and Bow Mount
Waterways: Ponds, Lakes, Rivers, Saltwater Inshore
Sponsors: Westbrook Supply
Tournaments: Bassmaster Kayak Series, Kayak Adventure Series, and Team Kayak Series
Chris Hogan
I started kayak fishing for the purpose of self care, as a way to relieve stress from my busy and demanding job as a social worker. Fishing became an outlet for me for self care and the passion and love for fishing and kayak fishing grew from there. I live in Louisville, Ky with my beautiful wife and two sons. I look forward to those warm spring/summer days where my son and I can pack up the Unlimited and hit the lake.
I also find joy in other people’s success and I always try to find the positive energy in any situation.
I really enjoy sharing my journey with others and hope they can experience what I love about kayak fishing. Of course I ended up participating in kayak tournaments. But, if you ask me what I love most about this sport, it’s seeing the raw emotion when someone takes their first float in a kayak, seeing one of my buddies catch a GIANT bass, or even seeing one of my buddies finish very well in a kayak tournament. I truly love seeing others success and rooting them on. I get totally pumped for them.
Personal Bests:
Smallmouth – Location: Dale Hollow Lake 21”
Largemouth – Location: Cedar Creek Lake 22.25”
Kentucky Spotted Bass – Location: Lake Cumberland – 16.75”
Location: Louisville, KY
Model: UNLIMITED
Propulsion: NuCanoe EPS – Newport and Bow Mount
Waterways: Ponds, Lakes, Rivers
Sponsors: NuCanoe, Picasso Lures, Canoe Kentucky, Newport Vessels, Yakattack, Amped Outdoors, Gill Fishing, Vicious Fishing, Bluegrass Rods, Xzone Lures, The Rod Glove, Postman Tackle, Redbeard Plastics
Tournaments: Tennessee B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series, Tennessee Kayak Anglers Tournament Trail, Central Tennessee Kayak Anglers, Native Power Hour, Team Kayak Series, GRBY – Indiana