Jim Churchill
I am a U.S. Army veteran, who has spent my entire life in the outdoors hunting, fishing, and living an outdoor lifestyle. I have been a fishing guide for 20+ years in Michigan. My focus has been on fly fishing trout, salmon, steelhead, walleye, and bass on Michigan lakes and rivers. After I stopped guiding, I focused on my true passion of fishing for bluegill and crappie. I always targeted the biggest that I could find on any system or watershed. Chasing giant crappie has really become an addiction and I embarked on the National crappie tournament trails. I now travel the country teaching seminars as well as teaching the precision trolling techniques that have taken the crappie world by storm. I have instilled the same values to my two daughters and three granddaughters. I enjoy fishing with them and cherish every moment. When I am local, I am pursuing the giant black crappie that roam in Michigan waterways. When I am not fishing, I am either tying my Widow Maker custom jigs, working in my wood shop, or making homemade maple syrup.
Hometown: Bridgeton, Michigan
Hobbies: Hunting, training dogs, musician, artist, and making maple syrup.
Favorite Lure: Widow Maker (hand-tied) Jigs
Favorite Fishing Technique: Trolling and casting
Favorite Fishery: Any southern U.S. State that holds crappie
Brad Smyth
I truly believe that I was born to be a sportsman. Growing up in Sterling Heights, Michigan I spent most of my weekend’s fishing, hunting, and enjoying the outdoors. Whether I’m in the woods or on the water, my motivation is to teach others what I’ve learned along the way and share my passion for the outdoors. I have been a fishing charter captain for over 14 years now. I own and operate the Detroit Outdoor Adventures company multi-species fishing and waterfowl hunting trips on the Great Lakes.
Hometown: Oxford, Michigan
Hobbies: Fishing, hunting, and gardening
Favorite Lure: Blade baits
Favorite Fishing Technique: Casting or jigging
Favorite Fishery: Lake Saint Clair
Jason Zsebik
Tournament Accomplishments: 1st place Masters Walleye Circuit 2016, National Team Championship top 25 2017, Multiple top ten placements in other Master Walleye Circuits and the Lake Erie Walleye Trail
Growing up on the shores of Lake Erie, in a small harbor town like Vermilion, fishing became a part of my life at an early age. When I was a kid, I remember going out on Lake Erie with my parents and enjoying the day catching Walleye and Perch. I also remember spending several days with my Dad chasing Steelhead in local creeks. The outdoors has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember and that’s something I look forward to passing down to my children as they grow.
When I’m not fishing, I serve our community as a Sargent at a local Sheriff’s Office. I have been in law enforcement full time for the last sixteen years. I also work as a salesman at Erie Marine Sales in Sheffield Lake Ohio. Outside of work my wife and I are raising our two young children and keeping busy running them around to sports and other activities they enjoy.
Hometown: Vermillion, Ohio
Hobbies: Fishing, Hunting, Spending time with my family.
Favorite Lure: Reef Runner 800 series
Favorite Fishing Technique: Trolling with small planer boards
Favorite Fishery: Lake Erie
Jason Julien
My wife and I had the opportunity to purchase Church Tackle Company in 2021, turning our passion for fishing into a full-time business. As a lifelong angler, I have been seriously targeting walleye for over 15 years, spending much of my time on Lake Erie and various Michigan waters. Whether fun fishing or competing in tournaments, I am always looking for ways to refine my techniques and maximize success on the water. My favorite method of fishing is trolling crankbaits for big walleye in the spring and fall.
I am a two-time West Michigan Walleye club Angler of the year. In our team’s first season fishing the Michigan Walleye Tour, we qualified for the MWT Championship. We finished the season in the Top 10 out of 225 teams.
I am very visible in the fishing community attending 10-15 shows a year. I really enjoy this part because it allows me to connect directly with customers.
Hometown: Coloma, Michigan
Hobbies: Fishing and hunting
Favorite Lure: Reef Runner Deep Lil Ripper
Favorite Fishing Technique: Trolling
Favorite Fishery: Lake Erie
Mark Summerville
I am a United States Marine Corp veteran and served in the Persian Gulf War from 1989-1993. I am an avid fisherman and enjoy being on the water. I am the owner of White-Cap Canvas, LLC. I am currently on the Pro Staff for the United Veterans of Michigan and the Fallen Outdoors Team- Ohio. I run several fishing trips with both organizations throughout the year for veterans. Many veterans already have boats but just want to get out on the water and experience the camaraderie of fellow servicemen/women.
I also volunteer my Hewes Craft boat for the following yearly events: Hooks and Heroes (3 years), Vets with Nets (4 years), Inaugural Magee East Marina and Campground- Nettin’ with Vets, Tawas Bay Vets with Nets, and the Inaugural Fallen Outdoors Walleye bash.
Hometown: Milan, Michigan
Hobbies: Dogs and Veteran events
Favorite Lure: Deep diving Bandits and trolling spoons
Favorite Fishing Technique: Trolling with Church Inline Planer Boards
Favorite Fishery: Lake Saint Clair
Brian Zarembski
Because I grew up in Michigan, the opportunities for outdoor activities were endless. My earliest memories are of fishing with my dad. Wire-lining for walleye at night on the Detroit River, ice fishing on Lake St. Clair for panfish, participating in musky tournaments on Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River, chasing salmon on Lake Huron, and casting plastics around the rocks, break walls, and weed beds of local lakes for bass and pike are among these memories. After college I moved to Ohio, and I did not complain about living on the shores of the “Walleye Capital of the World”.
After a serendipitous meeting with Ali Shakoor at a walleye seminar, my tournament career began. Fishing has become an obsession, and, has allowed me to travel the United States to fish some of the best walleye fisheries in the country. It has also allowed me to compete against the best anglers on the tour. I enjoy the challenge of outsmarting the walleye, as well as outsmarting the other tournament fishermen.
When I am not out fishing, I spend my time building my marine dealership, Erie Marine Sales, where we sell boats catering to fishermen.
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Hobbies: Fishing, Boating, and Spending time with my wife and our four boys
Favorite Lure: Reef Runner Deep Diving Crankbait
Favorite Fishing Technique: Trolling Crankbaits
Favorite Fishery: Lake Erie