412 Team
Noah was raised near a 23-acre lake in Western Pennsylvania by parents who both love fishing and always had a boat. His father was a local tournament angler who had him fishing as soon as he was strong enough to yield a rod and reel. While they still fish buddy tournaments together to this day, Noah's true passion is now kayak fishing, and it is one of few aspects in his life where he feels at peace and one with the outdoors. He has taken that passion to another level by serving as president of Kayak Anglers, a non-profit organization with a strong focus not only on kayak fishing but also on charity and community. Noah fishes all water types, from Lake Erie to small creeks near Pittsburgh, PA. When not competing, he spends his days enjoying what nature has to offer with his wife and son while introducing as many new folks as possible to the spectacular sport of kayak fishing that we all know and love.
With a profession in “Winter Sports”, Randy has made it his "job" as a Kayak Angler to be on the water as much as possible in the spring and summer months. Born and raised Central NY, Higher Education brought him to Buffalo NY and he hasn't left since. Coming from a family rooted in the sportsman tradition, he has dedicated the last several years to Kayak Fishing and the progression of the sport in Western NY. You can find him on any given day in his Jackson Kayaks in Buffalo’s Inner or Outer Harbors On Lake Erie Or floating around the Niagara River in search of trophy Smallmouth or whatever other critter may be hungry for a little 412 Bait Co treat!
He will be Organizating and Directing the tournament trail of Kayak-Anglers of Central NY as well as fishing with Kayak-Anglers of Western Pa and , Riverbassin Tournament Trail, along with other local and Regional Events
Fishing has been a way of life for Aaron Stiger since he was a young child. The curiosity and wonderment of what is lurking under the water, just waiting to strike, has always captivated him. Other hobbies come and go, but fishing will always be a pastime that will hold a constant place in his life.
Aaron picked up kayak fishing in 2009 when he realized that banks were far too restrictive, and boats simply could not go to the uncharted waters a kayak could reach. Since his first cast in a kayak, Aaron’s passion for fishing was taken to a new level, as he realized nature’s sights and sounds are amplified through the experience.
From the small rivers, creeks, and lakes in West-Central, Ohio to the shores of Lake Erie, Aaron has been fortunate to land many citation-level fish angling from his kayak. Learning from others and applying that information has played a huge part in his fishing success. Aaron believes the knowledge-base and helpfulness of kayak fishing community cannot be understated as it has been invaluable to his growth as an angler.
As a 412 Team Member, Aaron is looking forward to contributing his experience, knowledge and passion to help others develop their skills and make the most out of their time on the water.
Eric Atkins is an aerospace engineer, amateur photographer, and avid kayak fisherman who lives in North Alabama. He calls Lake Guntersville and the Flint River his home waters and fishes from a 2015 Jackson Kayak Big Rig. His photos have been used in fishing magazines and websites across the web to include Trout Underground, Fox Sports Outdoors, and Bassmaster.com.
Eric began bass fishing competitively in 2014. In his first year of competitive fishing, he was a Top 20 River Bassin’ Tournament Trail angler. Eric also fishes the Kayak Bass Series and is an organizer of the North Alabama Kayak Angling Tournament Trail.
His favorite 412 Bait Company lures are the Phase III Spinnerbait and Yoda Swimbait. He caught his personal best Spotted Bass on a Phase III + Yoda combo in Dreamsicle color while prefishing for the 2014 River Bassin’ National Championship.
Smallies on the Yough Pro Staff
Smallies on the Yough Guide Service
Mike is a Father of 2, Spouse to 1, General Contractor by trade and Captain of the RiverPro. Mike enjoys fishing for multiple species on the Youghiogheny River where he is a spare-time smallmouth guide with Smallies on the Yough Guide Service . Mike primarily fishes from his jet boat, but is learning to use wade fishing as a valuable tool thanks to his friend and guiding partner Pete Cartwright. Although Muskies and Smallmouth bass are Mike’s passion, he has learned to enjoy anything that feels like putting up a fight including Pike, Walleye and Trout. Mike earned a degree in Environmental Engineering from Penn State and is committed to preserving and improving the quality of our waterways. To Mike, fishing is all about the complete experience… the Friends, the fresh air, the flowing water and the BIG FISH!
Pete is married and currently owns a lawn care business and has been doing that work for a while in Pennsylvania. He also guides on the Allegheny and Youghiogheny rivers for Smallmouth Bass for Smallies on the Yough along with Guide Michael Schiffbauer. He has been fishing rivers and streams since he was a little boy here in Pennsylvania. As a child he would catch anything that would eat his bait but in his teens he knew that he loved Smallmouth so he began to focus all his fishing on them. Now he chases smallies all over Western PA in rivers and streams from large rivers to small streams he fishes them 100+ days a year. He wades mostly but also boats and floats those rivers for Bronzebacks. He has recently been in fishing articles about Smallmouth Bass in Bass Angler Magazine and North American Fisherman. He tries to be a teacher of fishing and to show people how to handle and catch fish with minimal risk to the fish using barbless hooks on all of his baits.
“I would just like for everyone to enjoy the entire experience of being in the water out in the wild wading in rivers and streams at least once in their life”.
Josef is married to a loving wife and has two boys. He is a General Manager in the food industry and an avid tournament fisher. Josef fell in love with kayak fishing a few years ago an has been hooked ever since. When he's not working or spending time with the family he's thinking about fishing. Favorite 412 bait is the Phase III Spinner and the baby bass Free Worm. Josef hopes to keep expanding his fishing knowledge and passing it on to his family for years to come.