Dec 30
Danny Hallock
Glenn Haggard | Bio | 12 30th, 2008| No Comments »

Danny Hallock  Danny Hallock  Danny Hallock

Personal
Name: Danny Hallock
Home Town: Globe, AZ
Birthday: Sept 22nd
Occupation: Auto Glass Installer
Hobbies: Fishing, Hunting, Archery, Camping
   
Stats
Year’s tournament fishing: 6 years
Titles/honors: Never kept track
Career highlights: Coming soon
   
Angling stuff
Favorite Bait: 1/4 oz Purple Firetail Westy
Favorite Method: Dead Sticking it
Angling Hero: My Dad, Larry Nixon, John Murray
Home Lake: Roosevelt & San Carlos
Favorite Lake: San Carlos
Least favorite Lake: Pleasant
Favorite Technique: Flipping
Primary fishing strength: Worming / Jigging
Secondary fishing strength: Spinner Baits
Biggest weakness: Light Tackle / Finesse Fishing
Boat: 591 SC
Motor: Mercury 150 Optimax
Tow vehicle: Chevy 2500HD
Fishing sponsors: Tracker Marine Boating Center, Nitro Boats, Mercury Motors, Jack Lewis Baits
   
Personal Stuff
Favorite food: Mexican Food from Guayo’s El Ray in Miami
Favorite Movie:
Favorite Music:
Non-Angling hero: My family for always supporting me in everything I do
When not fishing: Thinking about fishing
   

Dec 29
Gary Senft
Glenn Haggard | Bio | 12 29th, 2008| No Comments »

Gary Senft   Gary Senft Nitro 898

Personal
Name: Gary Senft
Home Town: Phoenix, AZ
Birthday: Jan 18
Occupation: U.S. Post Office
Hobbies: Fishing and Country Dancing
   
Stats
Year’s tournament fishing: 24 years
Titles/honors: Captain Nitro State Team – 2008 and 2009
2006 Angler of the Year ABF
2006 Angler of the Year ALLSTAR Bass Teams
2004 Angler of the Year ALLSTAR Bass Teams
1999 Angler of the Year Phoenix Bass Masters
1998 State Team Captain for Steel Marine
1997 Angler of the Year Phoenix Bass Masters
1995 President of Phoenix Bass Masters
1994 President of Phoenix Bass Masters
Career highlights: 2007 Became a fishing pro for the Bass Pro Shop, Mesa, AZ
2005 won Super Team Championship ALLSTAR Bass (won boat)
2004 won Super Team Championship ALLSTAR Bass (won boat)
2001 won Super Team Championship ALLSTAR Bass (won boat)
2000 1st Place winner as a member of the Arizona Team competing in the Bass National Federation in Oregon
   
Angling stuff
Favorite Bait: Swimbaits and top water
Favorite Method: Working it thru the trees
Angling Hero: Kevin Van Dam
Home Lake: Pleasant
Favorite Lake: Roosevelt
Least favorite Lake: Canyon
Favorite Technique: Drop shot
Primary fishing strength: Shallow water fishing
Secondary fishing strength: Texas Rig
Biggest weakness: Bed Fishing
Boat: 2008 Nitro 898
Motor: 200 Mercury Optimax
Tow vehicle: 2005 Ford F150 4×4
Fishing sponsors: Nitro Boats, Mercury Motors, Tracker Marine Boating Center, Bass Pro Shop, Motor Guide, BC Graphics
   
Personal Stuff
Favorite food: Mexican
Favorite Movie: The Natural
Favorite Music: Country
Non-Angling hero: Alan Jackson
When not fishing: Country dancing with my wife
   

 I am a native of Arizona and have been fishing since I was 6 years old.  My Dad and Mom loved the outdoors and we fished as a family all over Arizona .  Bass fishing was more of a challenge to me, so I decided to pursue it through tournaments and club fishing.
I won my first ALLSTAR Bass tournament in 1990 and was hooked.  I joined the Phoenix Bass Masters Club in 1993.  My first sponsorship was with Steel Marine in 1997 with a Fisher Bass Boat.  I appeared on the television show “Fishing with the Good Ol’ Boys” for six years.  I also appeared on the television show “Arizona Game and Fish Wildlife Views” for five years.  
 
Another highlight was guest staring on the radio show “KOY Radio Fishing Show” and working with physically challenged children through the program “Fishing Has No Boundaries” for two years.  Currently I have guest stared on a few episodes of “Fishing with Johnny Johnson”.  
 
My personal goal is to share my love of fishing through training seminars and workshops to people of all ages.  A perfect day to me is spending a day of bass fishing at any lake.

Dec 28
Mike Brillhart
Glenn Haggard | Bio | 12 28th, 2008| No Comments »

Mike Brillhart Mike Brillhart Nitro Z-9 boat

Personal
Name: Mike Brillhart
Home Town: Waddell, AZ
Birthday: Oct 3
Occupation: Electrical and Refrigeration Business owner
Hobbies: Fishing
Stats
Year’s tournament fishing: 3 years
Titles/honors: Several top 5 Place finishes
Career highlights: Finished 18th at the 2008 U.S. Open / Fished the FLW Cal. Delta in

Oct. 08

Angling stuff
Favorite Bait: Brush Hogs
Favorite Method: Texas Rig
Angling Hero: Kevin Van Dam
Home Lake: Alamo
Favorite Lake: Alamo
Least favorite Lake: Pleasant
Favorite Technique: Texas Rigged Plastics
Primary fishing strength: Structure Fishing
Secondary fishing strength: Drop Shot
Biggest weakness: Bed Fishing
Boat: 2008 Nitro Z-9
Motor: Mercury 225 Pro XS
Tow vehicle: 2007 Dodge 2500 4×4 Diesel P/U
Fishing sponsors: Tracker Marine Boating Center, Nitro Boats, Mercury Motors and Controls Plus
Personal Stuff
Favorite food: Prime Rib
Favorite Movie: True Grit
Favorite Music: Country
Non-Angling hero: My Wife Mary
When not fishing: Thinking about fishing!

A little about myself:

My first Bass that I ever caught was in 1974 at Lake Powell just outside Hite Marina, ever since then I have been hooked. Fishing as a kid I would go any where my bicycle would take me city parks, private community lakes and canals. While all the other kids fished for the traditional Bluegill and Catfish I stuck with tackling the Bass (often getting out fished).

At the ripe old age of (16) I purchased my 1st boat a 1964 14ft aluminum this kept me on the water and fishing. In 1983 I was able to purchase my first Bass boat an (18) footer with a 175; at this time I started to do some local tournament fishing. In 1985 I met my wife who is ridiculously supportive of my Bass fishing, in 1987 we were married and you guessed it our honeymoon consisted of a Bass fishing trip to Lake Powell.

In 1989 job opportunities took us to Colorado where we lived for (9) years. Not able to do a lot of Bass fishing, but made up for it cold water fishing. After returning to Arizona in 1998 we purchased a Bass boat and got back into Bass fishing; 2007 we purchased the Z-9. The customer service and the overwhelming support that we have received during this purchase I feel 100% committed to NITRO Boats

Dec 24
Jim Pacheco
Glenn Haggard | Bio | 12 24th, 2008| No Comments »

Jim Pacheco Nitro Boat

Personal
Name: Jim Pacheco
Home Town: Glendale, AZ
Birthday: May 3 1960
Occupation: General Superintendent
Hobbies: Archery Hunting/Fishing
Stats
Year’s tournament fishing: 4
Titles/honors: Numerous top 10 finishes
Career highlights: Have caught 12.3lband14.1lb Largmouth (LakePleasant)
Angling stuff
Favorite Bait: Zoom Brushhogs/crankbaits
Favorite Method: Fliping/Pitching
Angling Hero: Rick Clunn
Home Lake: Pleasant
Favorite Lake: San Carlos
Least favorite Lake: None
Favorite Technique: Flipping/Pitching
Primary fishing strength: SpringTime
Secondary fishing strength:
Biggest weakness: Staying in one place too long waiting for the bite to turn on
Boat: Nitro 898
Motor: 200 Optimax
Tow vehicle: 2002 Ford F-250 Powerstroke
Fishing sponsors: Nitro,Mercury,Motorguide,TaylorMorrisonHomes
Personal Stuff
Favorite food: Mexican
Favorite Movie: Mission Impossible 1,2.3
Favorite Music: Rock/Country
Non-Angling hero:
When not fishing: Thinking about Fishing!
Dec 24
Mark DiBrito
Glenn Haggard | Bio | 12 24th, 2008| No Comments »

 Mark DiBrito 

Personal
Name: Mark DiBrito
Home Town: Phoenix, AZ
Birthday:  
Occupation: Construction
Hobbies: Rodeo
   
Stats
Year’s tournament fishing: 7
Titles/honors: 8 time Best Bet championship qualifier, 7 time All Star Team championship qualifier, 2001 Best Bet angler of the year, 2005, All Star angler of the year, 5 first place finishes at Bartlett and 4, Second place finishes in championship tournaments.
Career highlights: Won the 2004 All-star Bass Championship and new boat
   
Angling stuff
Favorite Bait: Yamamoto Hula Grub
Favorite Method: Jig
Angling Hero: Matt Shura
Home Lake: Bartlett
Favorite Lake: Roosevelt Lake
Least favorite Lake: Lake Pleasant
Favorite Technique: Texas rig jig
Primary fishing strength: Dropshot
Secondary fishing strength: Jig
Biggest weakness: Fish to fast
Boat: Nitro Z-9
Motor: 250 Pro XS
Tow vehicle: GMC P.U.
Fishing sponsors: Nitro Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Mercury Motors
   
Personal Stuff
Favorite food: Rib Eye Steak
Favorite Movie: Old School
Favorite Music: Most Classic Rock
Non-Angling hero: My wife Penny
When not fishing: Working
   
Dec 20
Ken Larrabee
Glenn Haggard | Bio | 12 20th, 2008| No Comments »

Ken Larrabee Nitro 898 DC

Personal
Name: Ken Larrabee
Home Town: Cave Creek, AZ
Birthday: July 3
Occupation: Finish Carpenter
Hobbies: Fishing and bowling
Stats
Year’s tournament fishing: 9
Titles/honors: 8 time Best Bet championship qualifier, 7 time All Star Team championship qualifier, 2001 Best Bet angler of the year, 2005, All Star angler of the year, 5 first place finishes at Bartlett and 4, Second place finishes in championship tournaments.
Angling stuff
Favorite Bait: Rio Rico
Favorite Method: Skitter poppen
Angling Hero: Kevin Van Dam
Home Lake: Bartlett
Favorite Lake: Bartlett
Least favorite Lake: Lake Pleasant
Favorite Technique: Topwater
Primary fishing strength: Topwater
Secondary fishing strength: Cranking
Biggest weakness: Bed fishing
Boat: Nitro 898 DC
Motor: Mercury 225 Optimax
Tow vehicle: Ford F-150 4×4
Fishing sponsors: Nitro boats, Mercury motors, Motor Guide, Tracker Marine boating center, Lowrance, Tanner Chiropractic, Bass Pro Shops, H3O Sunglasse
Personal Stuff
Favorite food: Filet Mignon, medium rare
Favorite Movie: Uncommon Valor
Favorite Music: Rock
Non-Angling hero: Don Billets
When not fishing: Working and bowling

About me: I first started trout fishing when I was a kid and evolved into bass fishing in 1998. After fishing from shore for a time, I decided it was time to buy a boat, so I bought a 14-foot aluminum Valco with a 9.9. I started the tournament circuit with my second boat, a Tracker TX 17.

My first tournament was in the aluminum division where I took third place and won $600.00. I was hooked from there on out. I eventually started fishing the pro-am where I learned a lot more about bass fishing. I then made angler of the year in 2001 and had numerous top ten finishes.

Throughout my career, my sponsor’s include Triton and, currently, Tracker Marine Group. It was through Tracker that I bought my Avalanche, and then later bought my 898 Nitro, and I love it. I was proud to represent Tracker Marine at Lake Neely Henry, Alabama.

Fishing Neely Henry was an experience I will never forget; not only was it a great fishing experience, but also a chance to meet some great people. Through the Federation Nation, I have been able to travel to different states and fish the six man, state team events, and on Amistad, we took 3rd place which got us to the Red River in Louisiana—that was a totally different fishery.

Since fishing is such a passion, I could not imagine life without it; it is part of who I am. I try to get out to the lake at least twice a week, if not more. Since I have been on the Nitro team, I have met the greatest bunch of people, and I am proud to be a part of the state team.

Dec 17
Brad Hartman
Glenn Haggard | Bio | 12 17th, 2008| No Comments »

 

Personal
Name: Brad Hartman
Home Town: Globe AZ
Birthday: July 30th
Occupation: Solvent extraction supervisor, Real Estate agent, and Radio show host
Hobbies:  Fishing and off road vehicles
   
Stats
Year’s tournament fishing:  17
Titles/honors:  2 time Qualifier for WON bass Tri State Championships, 4 times Qualifier for Allstar Bass Championships
 Career highlights:  Attended 1999 Bassmaster Classic in New Orleans, Did live remote for my Fishing Fever radio show. I was able to do personal interviews with all the anglers, including Rick Clunn, Mike Iaconelli, and Davey Hite
   
Angling stuff
Favorite Bait:  4” Power worm in Camo
Favorite Method:  T rigged worms
Angling Hero:  Always admired Mark Kile, and John Murray
Home Lake:  Roosevelt and San Carlos
Favorite Lake:  Roosevelt
Least favorite Lake:  None
Favorite Technique:  Top water baits
Primary fishing strength:  Worming
Secondary fishing strength:  Soft plastic jerkbaits
Biggest weakness:  Deep bite in high winds
Boat:  898 Nitro
Motor:  200 Optimax
Tow vehicle:  GMC Truck
Fishing sponsors:  St. Croix Rod, Smelly Jelly Catcher Co, Maxima Fishing line
   
Personal Stuff
Favorite food:  Seafood
Favorite Movie:  Sci Fi
Favorite Music:  
Non-Angling hero:  My Dad he always took me fishing
When not fishing:  Exploring back roads
   

 My first fishing memory was when I was 4; my Dad took me trout fishing with my cousins. I was the only kid to catch a fish, as the others were running, playing and throwing rocks. I am still fishing, however I now stop to play and throw rocks with the grandkids from time to time as I share the sport with them. I have a wonderful wife who fishes and travels with me.

I basically fun fished for anything that swam until I turned 35 when a friend asked me to fish a local Bass tournament. Since then I have fished several circuits including WON Bass Teams, Allstar Teams, Arizona Bass Fishing, Five Star Couples, Allstar Couples, and Wild West Bass.

I am Host of The Fishing Fever Show in central Arizona and have been doing it for over 12 yrs. The show did air twice a week on Tuesday and Friday mornings. It has evolved and I can now be heard twice a day at 5:00 AM and PM. I target the local lakes here in Central Arizona and talk about current lake, weather, and launching conditions. Interview guides, tournament winners, and people in the fishing industry. The techniques that are catching fish, and where to find them. Safe boating reminders, tips for care and maintenance. New products review, upcoming fishing related events such as seminars and shows.
 

Dec 15
Matt Shura
Glenn Haggard | Bio | 12 15th, 2008| No Comments »

Matt Shura Boat Matt Shura Camper Matt Shura Car

Personal
My Website: http://www.mattshura.com
Name: Matt Shura
Home Town: Gilbert, AZ
Birthday: 5/30/72
Occupation: Firefighter/Paramedic, Tournament Bass Fisherman
Hobbies: Bass fishing
Stats
Year’s tournament fishing: Fishing tournaments since 1988
Titles/honors: Former AZ State Record holder Largemouth Bass (15.86lbs Canyon Lake 1991), 15 time Allstar Bass Team Championship Qualifier, 2004 Angler of the year in Allstar Couples and American Bass, 13th Place US Open 2003, 8th Place US Open 2007, 8th Place US Open 2008, 2nd place ABA Championship Lake Mead 2009, and Angler of the Year- Allstar Bass Teams 2010
Angling stuff
Favorite Bait: Topwater (Super Spook)
Favorite Method: “Walking the Dog”
Angling Hero: John Murray
Home Lake: Roosevelt Lake, AZ
Favorite Lake: Alamo Lake, AZ
Least favorite Lake: Lake Pleasant
Favorite Technique: Topwater
Primary fishing strength: Shallow water fishing
Secondary fishing strength: Spooning
Biggest weakness: Bed fishing
Boat: Nitro Z9
Motor: Mercury- 250 Pro XS
Tow vehicle: Ford Motorhome
Fishing sponsors: Nitro Boats, Mercury Motors, Motor Guide, Tracker Boat Center, Controls Plus, Bass Pro Shops.
Personal Stuff
Favorite food: Ribeye, medium rare
Favorite Movie: Old School
Favorite Music: Country
Non-Angling hero: My Dad for always supporting my fishing
When not fishing: At the fire station

About me: I began fishing when I was 8 years old fishing for bluegills with my dad. He took me to a little water retention area near our house in Gilbert. I really enjoyed bluegill fishing but started watching bass fishing show on TV and was hooked. I was in 6th grade when I bought my first boat. It was a 10ft jon boat with a 27lb thrust trolling motor. My dad and I took it to San Carlos Lake where we got in to some rough water and were blown off the lake. My dad decided to buy a little bit bigger boat to handle the local lakes if the water got rough. We ended up having several boats throughout the years including a 12ft, 14ft, 16ft arrowglass tri hull, and finally a 17 ft skeeter with a 150hp motor. My poor Dad could not take me fishing enough. We would also go to fishing seminars regularly, where I met Floyd Preas who taught me a lot about finesse fishing. I fished my first team tournament in 1988 when I was still in high school. We finished 14th out of about 30boats, but we were excited because we met Greg Warne who was a Skeeter pro who we had a lot of respect for. Ever since then I have had a passion for tournament bass fishing. Three years later while fishing with my Dad at Canyon Lake, I caught a 15.86lb largemouth bass on a spinnerbait. It turned out to be the state record and held for 6 years. I slowed down fishing for a few years to pursue a career as a firefighter. I was hired in 1995 with the Gilbert Fire Department and am currently and Engineer/Paramedic. I have met several people while fishing tournaments that took the time to teach me how to become a better fisherman. Some of those friends are Brad Cook, Leroy Price, and Steve Foutch. I also fished the Allstar Bass Pro Am circuit as a non-boater for 4 years and had a lot of good experiences learning from different people. In 1998 I pursued sponsorship with Tracker Marine. I always liked John and Belinda Randall who owned the shop. They enjoyed fishing themselves and competed in many tournaments. I bought my first Nitro Boat in 1999 and was officially on the Pro Staff. I really enjoy helping with the boats shows and teaching seminars. Now I am on the Nitro State Team and the Bass Pro Shops Pro Staff and look forward to seeing you at the new store in Mesa.