Pro Staff

Brad Smyth

Hometown: Oxford, Michigan

Hobbies: Fishing, hunting, and gardening

Favorite Lure: Blade baits

Favorite Fishing Technique: Casting or jigging

Favorite Fishery: Lake Saint Clair

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.

 

Jason Zsebik

Hometown: Vermilion, Ohio

Hobbies: Fishing, Hunting, Spending time with my family.

Favorite Lure: Reef Runner 800 series

Favorite Way to Fish: Trolling with small planner boards.

Favorite Fishery: Lake Erie

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.

Chad Posey – Leonard, MI

I am a Michigan native that spends most of my time chasing walleye around the State of Michigan. I have actively participated on the Michigan Walleye Tour since 2015 with multiple top 10 finishes, including a victory in 2019 on Lake Saint Clair and a 3rd place finish in the 2019 state championship. My favorite method for catching walleye is structure fishing in the northern waters of Michigan by either casting or trolling.

James L. Atkinson Jr.

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Hobbies: Fishing, hunting, custom lure painting, and spending time with friends/family.

Favorite Lure: Bandit- Deep diver.

Favorite Fishery: Lake Erie

Tournament Accomplishments: 2019 Walleye Fall Brawl Champion

I grew up in Slavic Village on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio. Fishing had been a part of my life since I was a small child. My dad had a 12-foot Jon boat that we would fish the inland lakes every weekend. When I was about ten years old, we moved to Streetsboro, Ohio, where I now currently reside. The passion and love for the outdoors has continued as we frequent the inland lakes and the woods, as much as possible. It wasn’t until early 2019, the urge would finally get the best of me, and invested in a little bit bigger boat (16ft Sea Nymph). We used it to fish the big waters of Lake Erie and get after some world class walleyes. Later that same year, we were blessed with the opportunity to catch a true Lake Erie giant a 12+ pound walleye. The fish won 1st place in the 2019 walleye Fall Brawl. That did nothing more than just ignite the passion for pursuing Lake Erie walleye for pleasure and a tournaments angler. Off the water and out of the woods, I’m your typical blue-collar hard-working American man. In my off time, I look forward to nothing more than spending time with my family/friends and trying to live life to the fullest.

Brian Zarembski

Hometown: Detroit, MI

Hobbies: Fishing, boating, spending time with my family.

Favorite Lure: Reef Runner Deep Diving Crankbait

Favorite Way to Fish: Trolling Crankbaits

Favorite Fishery: Lake Erie

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 fisherman. When we are not working, my wife and I spend our time attending our four boys’ athletic activities or enjoying a nice night out on the town.