Meet Big Jay

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. Luckily I was blessed that my family had a cabin on The Manitowish Waters Chain. I spent every summer in Manitowish Waters until I graduated High School.

While at college, instead of studying or going to parties at night I was with my roommates catching Crappies on Lake Shelbyville. We fried and filleted them up nearly every night in our dorm at Eastern Illinois University.

When I graduated I then became a History teacher at Chicago Public schools. This allowed me to pursue my dream of becoming a Bassmaster. I spent my summers fishing the professional Bassmasters tour as a co angler. Fishing the Bassmasters I learned fishing techniques from some of the best anglers in the world.

In 2011 I decided to change directions because I fell in love with my now wife and we wanted to live in beautiful Manitowish Waters.  We moved here in 2011. I have been “Living the Dream” since! I am excited to have the opportunity to share my fishing knowledge with you as an angler.