Hi! My name is Rob! I’ve been fishing southern Illinois lakes my entire life. I was introduced to fishing at a young age by my grandmother, spending countless hours on local ponds near Belleville, Illinois. Those early days on the water sparked a passion that has followed me ever since.

After graduating high school, I worked in a warehouse through my early twenties while fishing bass tournaments whenever I could. At one point, my goal was to move to Arkansas and become a striper guide—I even bought the boat and fully committed to the idea. Life had other plans, and in hindsight, it led me exactly where I was meant to be.

I went on to open Stumpy’s Tree and Stump Removal, and for nearly a decade, fishing took a back seat as I focused on building a business and providing for my family. In my mid-30s, the pull of fishing returned, and I purchased my first brand new bass boat with the intention of returning to tournament fishing. It didn’t take long to realize that constant travel wasn’t the life I wanted.

That realization led me to guiding right here in southern Illinois—an idea I wasn’t sure would even work. Five years later, I now guide over 200 days a year, targeting multiple species, and have helped launch a successful bait company as well.

I’m a loving husband and a proud father to two daughters. I strive to live a life that honors my faith, family, and friends, both on and off the water. Fishing has truly come full circle for me, and I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to share it with others.