Pro Staff

John Gillespie

"I catch more fish on Cleo’s and Kastmasters than almost anything else when ice fishing but they work great in open water too.  Rip them off the bottom and just expect bone-crushing strikes.  They catch the slobs man!"

John Gillespie started his television career as a sportscaster and worked in TV newsrooms from 1972 thru 1990. In 1990 he decided to end his newsroom career and start his own Outdoor show, JOHN GILLESPIE'S WATERS & WOODS. The unique aspect of his program was to produce 52 new and current programs every year. This past spring he celebrated his 1000th consecutive show without ever airing a repeat. John's entertaining on air style sets him apart from the other outdoor shows. He himself portrays the average angler going on a fishing trip with an expert. He employs some of the biggest fishing names in the midwest such as Pete Maina. These regular co-hosts take John all over the Upper Midwest and Canada on a quest for big fish. 

Kurt Walbeck

"The Kastmaster is my number one choice for ice fishing for a variety of species. They come in a variety of sizes so I can go small for crappie or go large for walleye and other game fish. They catch everything!"

Outdoor Bound TV is a Regional hunting and fishing show that airs on Midwestern ABC Stations and features hunters and fisherman from across the Midwest as they pursue their passion for the outdoors across the country and around the world.

Matt Bichanich

"It’s no secret that Kastmasters and Cleos catch giant walleye all over the great lakes, but they work great on open water too for fish not just found on the big pond.  They can be deadly for crappie, bass, and others in open water when fishing in deeper water."

Matt Bichanich is the National Sales Manager for Hard & Soft Fishing and also appears regularly on TV shows as the expert fishing guide. Matt has been a Bass Tournament angler for many years.

Adam Walton

"Pike fishing is in our name and we chase them all ice season long.  When it comes to tip-ups, we’ve tried them all.  No matter the conditions, nothing has held up better than our Beaver Dam tip-ups… In fact I still have some my great-grandfather used!  Now that’s quality you don’t get in other products."

Along with being a Pro Staff member of Hard & Soft Fishing, Captain Adam Walton is the owner of Pike Pole Fishing Guide Service.  Specializing in multi-species angling, he takes clients after a variety of fish and also participates in various walleye tournaments. Adam has participated in a few walleye tournaments circuits in the past and currently fishes the AIM Wisconsin Walleye Series.  For more information on Pike Pole Fishing Guide Service, check them out on Facebook or on-line at www.pikepolefishing.com.

Josh Teigen

"I'm on the water 300+ days a year, guiding open water and ice fishing. The Acme product line is the most diverse line of lures that I've ever used. From catching crappies in 5' of water on the Hyper-Glide to jigging up Lake Trout in 200'+ of water on the Kastmaster! No matter the species and situation these lures will get the job done!"

Josh Teigen is a USCG Captain and a full time fishing guide in NW Wisconsin. He guides on Lakes and Rivers all over Northern Wisconsin including Chequamegon Bay, The St. Louis River, and the south shore of Lake Superior targeting all species that swim including Musky, Bass, Pike, Walleye, Trout, Salmon, Panfish, etc.

Ron Johnson

“Over the years I have spent a lot of time fishing the Kastmaster and it has quickly become of my favorite lures that consistently produces high numbers of Bass.  The Action of the Kastmaster can be manipulated simply by changing speed of your retrieve.”

Ron Johnson is a Professional Tournament Angler who competes on the Bassmaster Opens and other tournament circuits throughout the U.S. Ron is a full-time fishing guide in Arizona, where he currently lives. He grew up in Wisconsin where he spent most of his time fishing and enjoying the outdoors. Ron has been a frequent guest on John Gillespie’s Waters & Woods, and enjoys speaking at Outdoor Shows throughout the country. When not fishing, Ron enjoys spending time with his wife Michelle camping, hiking, traveling and working out.

Tracy Krona

"I am a multi-specie's angler, but love targeting crappie and giant bluegills! When I am not chasing pannies, I am on the hunt for pike, smallmouth, and walleye. Oh...and I LOVE ICE fishing, especially running flags!"

Tracy hails from the beautiful State of Minnesota, "Land of 10,000 Lakes".  She has spent countless hours on the water over the last 20+ years, honing her skills and learning that she had found my true passion… FISHING! She loves fishing and all that it encompasses, even the misfortunes and upsets. Tracy fishes because she enjoy the realness of fishing and the sense of being one with nature; it satisfies the primal urge to hunt, gather, and provide a bounty for all to enjoy and live.

Krysten Potega

"Between Kalin's and Kastmasters you're set all year long! I use the Kalin's Sizmic Shad for big pike in summer and Kastmasters for a variety of species in winter."

Hi I'm Krysten Potega. I was born and raised in Illinois but relocated for college in Wisconsin and just never left. I graduated with my bachelors in Biogeoscience and minors in Adventure Education, Geology, and Earth Materials. My parents started taking me fishing when I was a toddler and it's been my passion ever since. I'm lucky that in Wisconsin I'm able to fish year round for a variety of species.

Bill Schultz

"Reaching 31,000 caught and released smallmouth bass over the past two and a half decades would not have happened nearly as quickly had I not begun using the Kalin's Lunker Grubs 17 years ago."

Bill Schultz lives in New Berlin, WI. However, he spends a good deal of time in his adopted hometown of Sturgeon Bay, WI chasing big water smallmouth bass on the big waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Since catching his first smallie in 1994, he has caught and released over 31,000. Bill is a sought-after speaker at sports shows and fishing events in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, most multiple times. His sellout talks the past 14 years at mega-show, Canoecopia in Madison, WI, have turned hundreds onto the tremendous opportunities and excitement of kayak fishing for smallmouth bass on lakes and rivers throughout Wisconsin. He has also spent hundreds of days wading small rivers catching and releasing over 18,000 river smallies. Bill is also a contributing writer for several top web sites and magazines, along with being a popular fishing podcast guest.