Pro Staff
Dave Lefebre
From Erie, PA, Dave grew up fishing for Crappie and Muskie with his Dad. His passion for fishing grew very quickly alongside his passion for music. At a young age, Dave started competing in fishing tournaments and quickly made his name known. He knew from the time he was 13 years old he wanted to be a professional bass angler. Working very hard until his dream came true by climbing his way up from fishing lower-tier Bassmaster and FLW events, to qualifying for the Bassmaster and FLW Tour. Deciding to focus on the FLW tour, he accumulated 7 wins, 65 top 10's and over $2.3 million in winnings over 14 years. He quickly became known as one of the most consistent anglers on the tour. In 2016 Dave decided to shift gears and direct his focus at the Bassmaster Elite Series after qualifying through the Northern Opens.
Grae Buck
Grae Buck is a smallmouth-fishing savant who initially struggled on southern fisheries early in his Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit career. But in 2020, his fourth year on the Pro Circuit, the Pennsylvania pro proved himself as a well-rounded angler when he finished third in the standings and qualified for his first TITLE championship. That year, he also made the Bassmaster Classic top 20. Buck has earned four wins on the Phoenix Bass Fishing League level, including a BFL Regional on the Potomac River in 2015. He went on to compete at the 2016 BFL All-American. Buck later won a BASS Open at Oneida in 2019. He’s a two-time MLF TITLE Championship qualifier, finishing as high as seventh in 2020. In 2023, he finished sixth in the MLF Invitationals AOY race.
WVU College Fishing Team
The West Virginia University Fishing Team is made up of a group of unique and diverse fishers that come from all over the country. From boats, to kayaks, or even the bank, our team has anglers for every category. The team is student-led by President Ethan Perry and Vice President Garrett Thompson, who are also partners in collegiate bass tournaments. The tough fishing that West Virginia offers, builds anglers that are mentally strong and ready for any conditions. Our anglers are well- rounded on and off the water. The WVU Fishing Team travels the country and competes at the highest collegiate level possible, sending up to 5 teams to various tournaments. WVU has teams that take part in the college national championships in both FLW and B.A.S.S organizations each year. The WVU fishing team is just shy of a decade old, but strives to be at the top of any leaderboard.
Abby Abbondanza
Abby Abbondanza is not only a kayak fisherman, but has had some success in the country music industry as well. Formerly the lead vocalist for the Pittsburgh, PA based country band, The Poverty Neck Hillbillies, who signed a major label deal with Rust Records from 2005-2008. Their first released nationwide single was a top 30 Billboard hit “Mr. Right Now”, and they were also named the official band of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006. Abby currently is the lead vocalist for the country band THW, who has landed two top 50 charted songs, “Damn I Just Wanna Kiss You”, and “Lonely “Girl”, on the Billboard charts in the past five years. Abby has also been an avid bass fisherman since the early age of 9yrs old. Competitive fishing started in his twenties on the local/regional boat tournament trails. Fast forward to 2021, Abby was introduced to kayak fishing by a good friend, ex UFC fighter, Adam Milstead, & started fishing full-time from a kayak. Abby started competing his first year in local/regional Kayak Angler & PA Bass Nation tournaments. Gaining his confidence, & honing his skills from the kayak, he then decided to see where he would fit on the nationally known Hobie BOS kayak series trail in 2022. Fishing four events in the Hobie BOS series in 2022, Abby was able to place 5th in the Susquehanna river event, & also found himself in 21st in AOY points for the year, which qualified him in his first Hobie BOS Tournament of Champions that November at Caddo lake. In 2023, Abby was able to cash multiple checks in the Hobie BOS Series, & then landed an automatic submission to his second Hobie BOS Tournament of Champions by taking third place at KY lake. Abby is partnered with some of the well known brands in the fishing industry, Zman, Native Kayaks, Torqeedo, & Fishing Online. He also partnered with a nostalgic nationwide lumber company brand, 84 Lumber, as his title sponsor for 2023/2025 seasons.
Adam Milstead
My name is Adam Milstead. I am a former UFC mixed martial artist who has an absolute love for kayak fishing. In 2018 I retired from fighting and set my sights on everything in the kayak fishing world, including competing at the highest level of kayak bass tournaments. I was born and raised in Southern Maryland on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay and I have loved fishing ever since I could hold a rod. While living so close to the Chesapeake, I had all the fishing opportunities a kid could ask for. My childhood consisted of football, wrestling and saltwater fishing for rockfish aka Striped Bass. Even at a young age, I was borrowing neighbors kayaks to fish off shore, I think it was there that I really fell in love with the concept of fishing out of a plastic boat. There was nothing like getting splashed in the face by a mean rockfish or bluefish and paddling through the 4 foot swells past the sandbars. Beyond saltwater fishing, I also enjoyed the sport of bass fishing! When I wasn't fishing, I was watching the greats like Roland Martin, Bill Dance and many other high end tournament anglers build their careers, cash checks and rip lips on the tv and I wanted to be just like them. Though fresh water bass never fought quite as hard as a striper, the thrill of establishing a well executed pattern made me feel like a professional bass fisherman. From there on I haven't looked back and continue to learn more and more about bass fishing. My dream as a kid was always to be a professional athlete. I worked extremely hard and was proud of all that I've accomplished in the crazy world of mixed martial arts but as fun and exciting as it was to compete at the pinnacle of combat sports, the toll on my body was wearing me out. So, after retiring, hear I am. Fishing out of these plastic boats we call kayaks and trying to make my mark as a kayak bass fisherman on the competitive level. I'm finally living my childhood dream of being a professional bass fisherman. I love this sport and everyone I meet in it. So... If you see me out on the water, please paddle up and say hi, I'll add my two cents on whats working for those bass and maybe you can help me land a few as well. In the meantime, tightlines friends. I am honored to be a part of the Fishing Online team!
Bill Sikora
Bill Sikora can be found on social media as The Florida Bass Paddler. He currently lives in Tallahassee, Florida. Bill has been kayak fishing since 2004, and has fallen in love with the sport ever since. Two of his most cherished accomplishments are winning the 2015 Rod Salser Kayak Bass Challenge (Biggest Bass and First Place Overall) and finishing 6th overall out of 170 in the 2015 Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament Summer Slam Part 1. He is currently a ProStaff Team Member for Old Town Kayaks, Fishing Online, Rogue Gear Co., Bruiser Baits, RedLine Lures, Vicious Fishing, and South River Outfitters. Some of his favorite fishing spots are any of the canal systems located in South Florida because there is no telling what he might catch. Bill loves to share his adventures, good or bad, on his YouTube so be sure to check them out on his channel, The Florida Bass Paddler! He can also be found on Instagram as #flbasspaddler
Coy Lehman
Coy is from southeastern Ohio and grew up in the outdoors, always having a great love for fishing and hunting. Growing up, he spent a large amount of time on the Hocking River, fishing for bass and catfish and during the summer months, on Lake Erie fishing for Perch and Walleye. When fall rolled around, whitetail season was a priority, chasing the giants Ohio has to offer. Beginning in 2010, Coy was introduced to kayak fishing through his good friend Matt Ball and it instantly became a passion. The Greenbrier and New River in southern West Virginia is where he spends most of his time on the water. In 2013, he became a member of Mountain State Kayak Anglers where he becomes heavily involved in kayak bass fishing tournaments. Coy is now the assistant tournament director for Mountain State Kayak Anglers and heads up the youth angler division. The sport has provided Coy with a great deal of respect for the awesome beauty West Virginia waterways and mountains have. Kayak tournament fishing has introduced Coy to many new people that have become lifelong friends. But most importantly, since he started fishing tournaments, he has introduced friends and family members to the sport and are now right at his side during the events. Coy has his father, son and brother heavily involved in the sport and is very passionate about the time he now gets to spend with them.
Dwayne Taff
I grew up just south of Houston close to the Gulf Coast where. Although I spent most of my younger days chasing speckled trout and redfish in the Galveston Bay Complex, my first love has always been bass fishing. 10 years previously, I began competing in local saltwater and freshwater tournaments, it was not until the spring of 2017 when I competed for my first kayak tournament, and I instantly knew this is where I belonged. Since then I have competed in countless kayak tournaments all over the U.S. accumulating 16 top-ten finishes, including winning the 2018 Kayak Bass Fishing National Championship and the highest tournament payout in kayak bass fishing history. I’m extremely passionate about the outdoors and fishing but even more about sharing my knowledge of both with the next generation of young anglers.
Eric Siddiqi
Eric Siddiqi is a Professional Kayak Bass Fisherman from Cincinnati, Ohio. He has 2 boys Zaiden (5) and Lofton (4). He began his journey in 2015 after purchasing his first kayak and never looked back. In 2017 he really began to make his presence felt in the kayak fishing world. At the Hobie Open on Kentucky Lake, he set the all-time single-day record with 61.75” with his 3 fish on Day 2. He then went to the KATS Border City Classic on Lake St. Clair where he finished 2nd out of 87 Anglers which made him runner-up to fish at the 2018 Hobie Worlds 7 in Sweden. He finished in the Top 5 at the Kayak Bass Fishing Trail events on Lake Chickamauga, Cedar Creek Lake, Lake St. Clair, and Pickwick Lake. He also had Top Ten finishes at the KBF Trail events on Lake Chickamauga and Lake Barkley. He was #1 in KBF online points for Ohio and qualified for the KBF National Championship for the 3rd year in a row. He then finished the year with another top 5 finish at the KBF 100 Challenge on Toledo Bend Reservoir in Many, LA and added another Top 10 finish at the KBF Open “The End on the Bend”. All in all, a solid year for the Tournament Angler. In 2018, he decided to up his game. He began his year with a Top 5 at the KBF Trail event on Lake Guntersville and qualified for the KBF National Championship for a 4th straight year. Next, he went back to the Hobie Bass Open and had his 3 Fish single day record taken from him on Day 1 with 62.25”, only to take it back on Day 2 with 64.25”. He then fished the KBF Trail event on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, WI and took 1st place. Next, on the list, it was back to the KATS Border City Classic on Lake St. Clair, and this time he took 1st place out of 99 anglers and received an invite to Hobie Worlds 8 (Location TBD). He has also had Top 10 finishes at the KBF Open on Beaver and Grande Lakes in Bentonville, AR and on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, WI. He has top 10 finishes at the KBF Trails on Lake Barkley in Dover, TN and on At the Toad Fest on the Marsh in Fellsmere, FL. He has also been Top 5 in AOY points for KBF for the entirety of 2018 and Qualified to Fish the 2018 KBF Trail Championship and the 2018 KBF Challenge Championship on Toledo Bend. He is also qualified to fish the 2018 KATS Tournament of Champions on Lake Fork, TX. It’s been a great year so far and 2018 isn’t over yet! There is much more to come from this angler. Everyone Fishing a kayak now knows to watch out when Eric Siddiqi has registered to Fish a Tournament!
Jaxton Orr
Jaxton Orr, from Fort Wayne, Indiana is 16 years old and has been fishing for 11 years now. Jaxton entered the kayak fishing scene in 2017, participating in the Indiana Kayak Anglers tournament trail. In his first season as a competitor, Jaxton had impressive top-ten finishes in 6 of the 8 events with one win. As 2018 began Jaxton started attending larger events around the Midwest and fished consistently throughout the season and met incredible people at every event he attended that he now considers friends and mentors. Jaxton cannot be more humbled and blessed to have friends, family, mentors, and sponsors that show him endless support. You can follow his journey by following him on Instagram or Facebook @jaxtonorrfishing.
Jeff Rabbitt
I have been fishing as long as I can remember. I started kayak fishing because it was a fast and affordable way to get on the water while I was in college. Like most people getting into the sport, my first kayak was a recreational sit-inside kayak. The more I fished in the kayak the more I fell in love with the sport. Nowadays I feel out of place when not fishing out of a kayak. I found out about a kayak club having tournaments in my area in 2013 and I was very enthused. Fishing in tournaments is more than just a competition it’s about having fun, spending time with friends and meeting new friends.
Jody Queen
Jody Queen has been a fisherman for as long as he can remember. Fishing has been the common thread running through his life, wherever he’s been, whatever he’s been doing, and for the last few years, what he’s been doing is firmly establishing his ranking as one of the top anglers in the country.
Joe began kayak fishing about 7 years ago, immediately realizing the many advantages a kayak offered to his angling. The ease with which large areas could be covered quickly, the freedom to explore the new fishing territory, accessing places boats cannot reach, and the ability to carry a larger arsenal of gear than merely wade fishing opened up a whole new world on the water. Then, in 2015, he discovered the KBF organization (Kayak Bass Fishing), a platform for kayak anglers to compete on both the local and national level, which paved the way for the pursuit of his lifelong dream of professional bass fishing. His home kayak fishing club, MSKA (Mountain State Kayak Anglers) is the largest local kayak fishing organization in the country.
Since that time, he has steadily risen through the ranks to settle into the top tier, having fished well over 100 tournaments, and spending around 300 days a year on the water. Currently, in TourneyX tournaments alone, Joe has a 72% Top Ten finish record, with 11 First Place, 5 Second Place, and 8 Third Place. Not listed in those stats are several local and charity tourneys, where he has consistently taken top honors. For the last two years, he has competed in “The Ten”, a prestigious invitation-only tournament for the top ten anglers in the country. He currently holds 3rd place nationwide in The Ten, and 2nd in the 2017 Angler of the Year race. The 2018 KBF National Championship will mark the third year in a row that Joe has qualified for this event.
Jody is an army veteran and supports the Heroes on the Water project, as well as The Barbie Brawl tournaments which are Breast Cancer Awareness and support events. He is also involved in stream clean-up tournaments and projects sponsored by various local organizations.
Joe is a member of the Bonafide Team and is sponsored by Bonafide Kayaks. He fishes out of a Bonafide SS127. He is sponsored by Torqeedo and is a member of the Torqeedo Fishing Team, his boat is rigged with a Torqeedo Ultra Light 403. Land Cruiser Restorations, YakAttack, and Fishing Online have recently added him to their teams also.
Kurt Smits
My friends call me Smitty and I am addicted to fishing. I love all types of fishing I chase multiple species on the Ohio River and its tributaries but I found a special connection to competitive kayak fishing. Chase fish around a good chunk of our country has brought a lot of amazing people into my life it's not just the next big fish. Being mostly known for winning the 2017 KBF National Championship hope to see you all on the water.
Mark Edwards
I'm 39 years old reside in Pipestem, WV. I absolutely love to fish and fishing competitively is the icing on the cake. In 1998, Dad brought home a 17-ft aluminum bass boat. Local tournament fishing began with very little success. Meeting a friend and expanding from local waters into North Carolina, Virginia, and Alabama. The passion for the sport continues to grow. In 2016, KBF had a tournament on my home waters I seen the chance to qualify for the National Championship. Not having a kayak I borrowed a friends and didn't qualify. In the 2017 KBF/MSKA tournament on Stonewall Jackson, I borrowed the same kayak ended up placing 25th KBF 17th MSKA. Seeing the only way to qualify for the NC was to fish the rest of the season with MSKA and qualify though points. I purchased my 1st kayak and haven't looked back. Finished the season 2nd in AOY 1.25 inches from the top spot. In the 2018 season, I decided to travel the east coast fishing KBF trails and still was able to make all the MSKA events. Ended the year 18th in AOY in KBF and a 3rd place AOY in MSKA. Tight lines Luke 6:31
Matt Ball
I was born and raised in Grafton, WV and now reside in Little Hocking, OH. I grew up fishing with my Father from the time I could hold a pole, and continue to pass that love of fishing on to my kids. I am the proud father to 4 awesome kids, and husband to the most understanding woman in the world, who is also my biggest supporter. I am the 2016 (And First Ever) Kayak Bass Fishing National Champion, and am a proud member of the Jackson Kayak Fishing Team, 412 Bait Company team, All Pro Rods pro staff, Mountain State Kayak Anglers, KBF, and River Bassin Tournament Trail. I spend the spring thru fall chasing bass all over the state of WV and OH, as well as traveling around the country fishing in various tournaments with friends and family. When the leaves fall I am an avid Bow-hunter and enjoy chasing the big Whitetail Deer of southeastern Ohio. Faith, Family, Friends and the Outdoors are my passions and I love to share and talk about all those to anyone who will listen. I truly love being on the water and look forward to making more memories and sharing my knowledge with others every day.
Mike Elsea
Hometown: Moorseville , IN. Mike Elsea is one the top Kayak Anglers in the country, with some of the most prestigious titles in the industry. Such as, 2019 KBF National Champion. Mike has proven himself over and over again, as not only an amazing angler, but also a true ambassador of the sport and the brands he represents. As a full time professional angler, he understands all ends of the industry and what it takes to be the Best.
Sponsors: FISHingONline | Native Watercraft | Titan Tungsten | Yak Attack | Yakpower | SinkRswim Tackle | Power Pole | BFH | Fitzgerald rods | Rouge Fishing | Dakota Lithium | Nines Sunglasses
Accomplishments: 2018 Indiana Challenge Series Points leader, 2019 KBF National Champion, 2019 KBF The TEN qualifier, 2020 KBF North Central Region AOY, 2021 Bassmaster Classic Qualifier- Kayak Series
Nolan Minor
Central VA Resident who spent time competitively fishing at WVU, currently pursuing YouTube and fishing the Hobie BOS Kayak Series.
Russell Johnson
Russell has been fishing since he was 2 years old. He would always fish with his grandfather and father on the Yough. Growing up in Whitsett, PA and being right next to the river, he has always found fishing enjoyable and part of life. Russell enjoys fishing any lake, river, or stream. He has fished every chance he could get, from an aircraft carrier during his U.S. Navy enlistment, to his favorite canoeing/kayaking the Yough river. With fishing 100+ days a year, he still finds beauty in every fish and enjoys watching them swim away to fight another day.