Chris Souders, Pro Staff Director of Sales
As X-Treme Pro Staff Director of Sales, Chris Souders manages the entire X-Treme Bait Tanks Pro-Staff team. He is a seasoned flathead catfish angler, an accomplished tournament angler and a dedicated family man. The southern Ohio native was named Cabela’s King Kat Angler of the Year (AOY) in 2016. His strong work ethic and determination to succeed led him to repeat the AOY title in 2017. Chris credits his passion for fishing to his positive fishing experiences as a child and strives to pass that passion on to future generations.
Chris believes that conservation starts with CPR (Catch, Photograph, Release) and educates people about the importance of this practice. To promote conservation effectively he believes anglers must hold themselves to high standards and be good role models for others.
Chris shares his passion for catfishing on Slunger Cat Outdoors, a YouTube channel that he created to help people learn how to find and catch catfish. Chris also shares his proven techniques in how-to seminars and on other social media sites.
Those interested in joining the X-Treme Bait Tanks Pro-Staff Team can contact Chris directly at souderschris@hotmail.com.
Meet the X-Treme Pro Staff Team
Patrick Beck
Jason "Spud" Barton
Patrick Beck
Patrick, born and raised in Yorkville, IL is a member of the competitive catfishing team Rollin Flatties and fishes tournaments both locally and nationally. An Army veteran, he was recently appointed as Angler Program Coordinator for Heroes Outdoor Therapy, a non-profit that assists veterans with expenses associated with travel to and from various outdoor events.
E-mail: pbeck1981@gmail.com
Brian Coalson
Jason "Spud" Barton
Patrick Beck
A native of Lynchburg, VA, Brian grew up fishing lakes and streams across the Blue Ridge Mountains with his Dad, who he credits for his love of fishing. These days Brian can be found most weekends targeting Striper on Smith Mountain Lake, fishing the Striper Mafia Tournament Series and other tournaments as part of Team Blue Ridge.
Brian believes strongly in CPR (Catch.Photograph.Release) and conservation of fish populations for future generations of anglers. He also is involved with and supports the special-needs community.
Phone: (434) 665-5871
E-mail: brian.coalson@aol.com
Jason "Spud" Barton
Jason "Spud" Barton
Jason "Spud" Barton
A successful tournament fisherman for more than 20 years and a professional guide for over 10 years now, Spud specializes in trophy class Blues and Flatheads. Born and raised in Central Texas, Spud owns Cattin‘ Around Adventures Guide Service fishing Lake Limestone, Lake Granger, Lake Waco, Lake Belton and more.
Phone: 254-760-3044
Paul Cypher, Jr.
Paul Cypher, Jr.
Paul Cypher, Jr.
An accomplished catfish tournament angler from Butler, Pennsylvania, Paul Cypher, Jr. constantly strives to improve his fishing skills and stay mentally prepared. His accomplishments include a number of top 10 finishes in tournaments from West Virginia to Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana, including a first place finish at the Rollin Flatt
An accomplished catfish tournament angler from Butler, Pennsylvania, Paul Cypher, Jr. constantly strives to improve his fishing skills and stay mentally prepared. His accomplishments include a number of top 10 finishes in tournaments from West Virginia to Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana, including a first place finish at the Rollin Flatties Championship Iron Man Tournament and Flataholics Championship Tournament, both in 2018. Additionally, Paul is a proud to support Heroes Outdoor Therapy Tournament as a boat captain.
Phone: (724) 822-6583
E-mail: Pcypher81@gmail.com
Team Hite
Paul Cypher, Jr.
Paul Cypher, Jr.
Team Hite, a family tournament catfishing team based in southern Indiana, has over 20 years of tournament catfishing experience and is the 2019 Reel Deal Extreme Catfishing Tournament and big fish winner.
Captain Jack Hite, wife Tara, and daughters Shaylie and Kortni, enjoy traveling to different states chasing larger tournaments, hosting
Team Hite, a family tournament catfishing team based in southern Indiana, has over 20 years of tournament catfishing experience and is the 2019 Reel Deal Extreme Catfishing Tournament and big fish winner.
Captain Jack Hite, wife Tara, and daughters Shaylie and Kortni, enjoy traveling to different states chasing larger tournaments, hosting their own tournament on the waters of the Ohio River and teaching others about fishing and conservation.
E-mail: jackhite55@gmail.com
Kat-tagious
Daniel Kennedy
Daniel Kennedy
Team Kat-tagious, comprised of Anthony Murphy and Mike Snyder, hail from Millersburg, OH and are the overall winners of the 2019 Monsters on the Ohio Tournament and posted the second biggest fish out of 167 boats.
In addition to local tournaments, Team Kat-tagious fishes the Cabela’s King Kat Tournament trail. Avid fishermen, they spend e
Team Kat-tagious, comprised of Anthony Murphy and Mike Snyder, hail from Millersburg, OH and are the overall winners of the 2019 Monsters on the Ohio Tournament and posted the second biggest fish out of 167 boats.
In addition to local tournaments, Team Kat-tagious fishes the Cabela’s King Kat Tournament trail. Avid fishermen, they spend every chance they get on the water, chasing anything with gills, scales to skin, with catfish being their specialty.
Anthony Murphy
Phone: (330) 231-6989
E-mail: anthonywmurphy1990@gmail.com
Daniel Kennedy
Daniel Kennedy
Daniel Kennedy
Daniel Kennedy of Decatur, IL has combined his military training and experience and love of fishing to help veterans with the stress of adjusting to civilian life through Heroes on the Water, Recon for Catfish and Fishing for Freedom – Quincy. He is an avid fisherman and specializes in catfishing.
E-mail: daniel.l.kennedy37@gmail.com
Shawn Goulart
Daniel Kennedy
Shawn Goulart
Born and raised in Gloucester, MA, Shawn began fishing at a young age and found it to be his calling. By age 14 he was working as a mate on boats and later became involved in Gloucester's thriving fishing scene, doing everything from dragging the Atlantic for groundfish such as Flounder and Cod, rod and reel fishing for Blue Fin Tuna, and
Born and raised in Gloucester, MA, Shawn began fishing at a young age and found it to be his calling. By age 14 he was working as a mate on boats and later became involved in Gloucester's thriving fishing scene, doing everything from dragging the Atlantic for groundfish such as Flounder and Cod, rod and reel fishing for Blue Fin Tuna, and pot fishing for Lobster.
At 18 years old Shawn became captain of a commercial fishing vessel and has been making a living fishing for over 20 years now. He fishes the Northeast year round for a number of species and is a great resource regarding a variety of saltwater bait.
Phone: (978) 876-3891
Danny Kimble
Tim Mulvihill
Tim Mulvihill
A native of Lexington, SC, Danny is a Striper guide on Lake Murray, Clark's Hill, Lake Greenwood and Lake Russell. He is an avid Striper tournament fisherman who targets big Striper.
Phone: (803) 493-1482
E-mail: danny@sewaterlab.com
Tim Mulvihill
Tim Mulvihill
Tim Mulvihill
Tim Mulvihill is a building material salesman by profession in the Cincinnati, OH area, but can be found on the water a couple times a week. Fishing is what he loves, whether it's tournament Catfish, Striper fishing or Walleye fishing. Tim is a Cabela's tournament winner and winner of several local Catfish tournaments. He is the current
Tim Mulvihill is a building material salesman by profession in the Cincinnati, OH area, but can be found on the water a couple times a week. Fishing is what he loves, whether it's tournament Catfish, Striper fishing or Walleye fishing. Tim is a Cabela's tournament winner and winner of several local Catfish tournaments. He is the current record holder for the Shattered Cat bumping rod with a 62lb Blue Cat.
He credits his Grandpap for teaching him to fish. Whenever he can, Tim takes his own grand kids and their friends fishing to pass it on.
Phone: (513) 227-6085
E-mail: tim.mulvihill@mccabelumber.com
Joey Pounders
Tim Mulvihill
Joey Pounders
Joey Pounders, a native of Caledonia, Mississippi, grew up running lines and setting poles with his dad and uncles and is passionate about fishing. He is the former holder of the Mississippi flathead state record (77#) and has placed in the top five 20 times in pro tournaments during his 10 years tournament career. Joey believes conservat
Joey Pounders, a native of Caledonia, Mississippi, grew up running lines and setting poles with his dad and uncles and is passionate about fishing. He is the former holder of the Mississippi flathead state record (77#) and has placed in the top five 20 times in pro tournaments during his 10 years tournament career. Joey believes conservation efforts are essential to the growth of sport fishing and enjoys sharing his knowledge and fishing experience with others.
Phone: (662) 251-5088
E-mail: poundersjoey@yahoo.com
Joanna Rafeld & Louie Helwig
Joanna Rafeld & Louie Helwig
Joanna Rafeld & Louie Helwig
By day, Joanna is a Registered Nurse in Ohio and Louie is a Sales Manager. Together they spend nearly every weekend on the water chasing catfish across the nation. Whether they are competitively tournament angling or fun-fishing with the family they are sure to come home with a fish story or two.
Joanna and Louie are happy to share thei
By day, Joanna is a Registered Nurse in Ohio and Louie is a Sales Manager. Together they spend nearly every weekend on the water chasing catfish across the nation. Whether they are competitively tournament angling or fun-fishing with the family they are sure to come home with a fish story or two.
Joanna and Louie are happy to share their experience with fellow anglers and answer any questions they may have.
Phone: Joanna (330) 575-7676
Louie (330) 323-2121
https://www.facebook.com/joanna.harveyames
Daniel Mata
Joanna Rafeld & Louie Helwig
Joanna Rafeld & Louie Helwig
Enlisted for 14 years, Daniel Mata is a United States Air Force Security Forces member currently stationed in Florida. Fishing is his passion and favorite pastime with Blue Catfish his pursuit of choice.
Daniel promotes CPR (Catch. Photograph. Release.) and encourages veterans to get involved in fishing. He feels the more veterans gather
Enlisted for 14 years, Daniel Mata is a United States Air Force Security Forces member currently stationed in Florida. Fishing is his passion and favorite pastime with Blue Catfish his pursuit of choice.
Daniel promotes CPR (Catch. Photograph. Release.) and encourages veterans to get involved in fishing. He feels the more veterans gather together to fish, the more we can help veterans find ways to cope with stress such as PTSD.
Phone: (530) 848-7913
E-mail: Danmata28@gmail.com
Chris Bolt
Joanna Rafeld & Louie Helwig
Chris Bolt
Raised on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia, Chris’ love of the water began at an early age with scuba diving. Being able to see fish up close underwater eventually led Chris to his passion for fishing. Smith Mountain Lake is known for stripers, and that’s what Chris focuses on, currently fishing the Striper Mafia tournament series, and ot
Raised on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia, Chris’ love of the water began at an early age with scuba diving. Being able to see fish up close underwater eventually led Chris to his passion for fishing. Smith Mountain Lake is known for stripers, and that’s what Chris focuses on, currently fishing the Striper Mafia tournament series, and other tournaments, as Team Bolt Fin-Atics.
Chris’ wife Stacy is equally enthusiastic about fishing and together they work to continue their growth and knowledge of the fishing world, both fresh and saltwater, and support preservation and conservation of these natural resources.
Phone: (540) 238-8948
E-mail: setnstone_designs@yahoo.com
https://www.facebook.com/smlfishon/
Gary Turner
Shannon Suttle
Shannon Suttle
From Staham, GA, Gary has been an avid fisherman all his life and enjoys traveling, going fishing every chance he gets, wherever he's at.
Gary fishes lakes Lanier, Sinclair, Oconee, Carters, Guntersville, and Wheeler for Flatheads, Blues and Walleye. When not on a lake, you can find him fishing the waters near West Palm Beach, FL reeling
From Staham, GA, Gary has been an avid fisherman all his life and enjoys traveling, going fishing every chance he gets, wherever he's at.
Gary fishes lakes Lanier, Sinclair, Oconee, Carters, Guntersville, and Wheeler for Flatheads, Blues and Walleye. When not on a lake, you can find him fishing the waters near West Palm Beach, FL reeling in whatever is biting.
Phone: (678) 227-1466
E-mail: gary@purgeright.com
Shannon Suttle
Shannon Suttle
Shannon Suttle
An avid Crappie fisherman, Shannon fishes the American Crappie Trail, Crappie USA, SCCA, Fish the Carolinas and Western North Carolina Crappie Slayers tournaments. Shannon's recent accomplishments include 2nd place at Lake Wylie on the Crappy USA tournament trail as well as a 3rd place finish at Lake Hartwell. When not on the trail, Shann
An avid Crappie fisherman, Shannon fishes the American Crappie Trail, Crappie USA, SCCA, Fish the Carolinas and Western North Carolina Crappie Slayers tournaments. Shannon's recent accomplishments include 2nd place at Lake Wylie on the Crappy USA tournament trail as well as a 3rd place finish at Lake Hartwell. When not on the trail, Shannon can be found fishing nearby Lake Norman.
Phone: (828) 447-7555
E-mail: slabsuttle@gmail.com
Lars Lyman
Shannon Suttle
Lars Lyman
Originally from Washington, VA, Captain Lars Lyman discovered his love for Striper fishing at Smith Mountain Lake. While his residency has changed, his passion for fishing has not. Still an avid Striper fisherman, Lars lives in Kentucky near Lake Cumberland where he owns and operates Lyman Guide Service.
Phone: (85
Originally from Washington, VA, Captain Lars Lyman discovered his love for Striper fishing at Smith Mountain Lake. While his residency has changed, his passion for fishing has not. Still an avid Striper fisherman, Lars lives in Kentucky near Lake Cumberland where he owns and operates Lyman Guide Service.
Phone: (859) 339-8443
E-mail: larslyman13@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Lymans-Guide-Service-2076941339270261/
Oaks & Yocum
Keper Connell
Oaks & Yocum
Shane Yocum and fishing partner Greg Oaks, from Hustonville and Waynesburg, KY respectively, fish for Crappie throughout the Southeastern United States and locally on Green River Lake and Lake Cumberland.
Together they've been fishing competitively for 9 years and have garnered several top-5 finishes with two wins in the Bluegrass Crappie
Shane Yocum and fishing partner Greg Oaks, from Hustonville and Waynesburg, KY respectively, fish for Crappie throughout the Southeastern United States and locally on Green River Lake and Lake Cumberland.
Together they've been fishing competitively for 9 years and have garnered several top-5 finishes with two wins in the Bluegrass Crappie tournament. Within the past 4 years they've placed 3rd, 10th, and 14th in overall points on the Crappie USA tournament trail.
Phone: (859) 326-0700
E-mail: shaneyocum@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oaksyocum/
Jamie Ward
Keper Connell
Oaks & Yocum
From Chillicothe, OH, Jamie has been an avid fisherman for nearly 40 years. He primarily fishes for Catfish, Walleye, Perch, Striped Bass and Small Mouth Bass, but enjoys casting a line wherever he's at to see what's biting.
Jamie captains All Eyes On Me Sportfishing, LLC, offering year-round trophy Walleye fishing on Lake Erie.
Phone: (
From Chillicothe, OH, Jamie has been an avid fisherman for nearly 40 years. He primarily fishes for Catfish, Walleye, Perch, Striped Bass and Small Mouth Bass, but enjoys casting a line wherever he's at to see what's biting.
Jamie captains All Eyes On Me Sportfishing, LLC, offering year-round trophy Walleye fishing on Lake Erie.
Phone: (740) 701-4775
E-mail: jamie29125@yahoo.com
https://www.facebook.com/All-Eyes-On-Me-Sport-Fishing-LLC-117990199607474/
Keper Connell
Keper Connell
Keper Connell
A commercial fisherman out of Rye Harbor, NH, Captain Keper Connell has been running Clandestino Fisheries since 2003. A for-hire fishing company, Clandestino offers day and overnight charter fishing trips aboard the 45’ Figment, targeting Codfish, Haddock, Bluefin Tuna, Stripers and anything else that swims.
When not chasing fish, Keper
A commercial fisherman out of Rye Harbor, NH, Captain Keper Connell has been running Clandestino Fisheries since 2003. A for-hire fishing company, Clandestino offers day and overnight charter fishing trips aboard the 45’ Figment, targeting Codfish, Haddock, Bluefin Tuna, Stripers and anything else that swims.
When not chasing fish, Keper can be found at home chasing his twin two-year-olds.
Phone: (603) 498-7577
E-mail: keper@clanfish.com
https://www.facebook.com/Clandestino-Fishing-Charters-219473887255/
Ethan Swink
Ethan Swink
Ethan Swink
X-Treme’s youngest pro staff member, yet accomplished fisherman, Ethan Swink fishes for trophy blue cats and flatheads using live and fresh cut bait year-round, including white perch, shad, bream, and crappie. He fishes tournaments on the Yadkin River chain, Catawba River chain, and bigger tournaments on lakes Santee and Kerr in North C
X-Treme’s youngest pro staff member, yet accomplished fisherman, Ethan Swink fishes for trophy blue cats and flatheads using live and fresh cut bait year-round, including white perch, shad, bream, and crappie. He fishes tournaments on the Yadkin River chain, Catawba River chain, and bigger tournaments on lakes Santee and Kerr in North Carolina.
Phone: (336)-250-3192
Ethan Swink
Ethan Swink
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