Juan has been fishing for virtually his entire life. Starting at the age of six he was flinging a line for anything that swam in the waters of central Pennsylvania. Fishing for Juan quickly became more than an obsession; for him, fishing was a way of life. Even as a grade schooler, he hung a calendar on his bedroom wall that documented all the days he fished and the fish he caught. He spent many summer days wading pristine limestone streams for trout and other flowing water for smallmouth bass. Juan's love and drive to fish never waned from his youth, through his college days and to today. Fishing has always been a necessary constant in his life.

Juan has kayak fished many notable flowing waters in Pennsylvania and Virgina, including the Shanendoah, Potomac, Juniata, Allegheny and Susquehanna Rivers. His most recent travels took him on a four day kayak fishing odyssey down the fabled Devil's River in Texas, a desert river that runs through some of the most remote and rugged landscape in the united states.

Juan is an American Canoe Association certified kayak instructor and teaches kayak fishing classes through his business Kayak Fish PA, LLC on the Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers in Pennsylvania. He specializes in kayak fishing strategies for river smallmouth bass. Juan relies exclusively on Wilderness Systems Kayaks for his business and personal use. In particular, he likes the Ride and Tarpon series of kayaks. Many of the models available in these two lines are extremely well suited for chasing River and Creek smallmouth bass.

One of his more unique angling strengths lies in his ability to catch big river smallmouth bass during the coldest months in the North Eastern United States. Kayak fishing water in the 30's along with single digit air temperatures requires specialized gear and the fishing “know how" that Juan has acquired during a lifetime of angling.

What has inspired this long-time fisherman to become a kayak angler?

“Fishing from a kayak is a game changer. It allows you to access water that others only dream about. It is also the ultimate tool for stalking trophy fish. The first month I paddled a Ride 135 I was able to access water that other anglers just couldn't get to. I ended up catching three citation largemouth bass in Pennsylvania the first month I owned that kayak! largemouth aren't even my specialty!”

Nickname/Alter Ego: PA-Smallies

Hometown: Wingate, Pennsylvania

Favorite Wilderness Systems Kayak: The Ride 115 is a great stable and maneuverable river kayak with the capacity to do multi day trips.

Must-Have Accessories: YakAttack “Little Stick”

Favorite Species to Fish: River Smallmouth Bass

Favorite Body of Water to Fish: Juniata River, Pennsylvania

Favorite Rod'n Reel: Temple Fork Outfitters Gary Loomis Signature Series Freshwater Rods and Okuma spinning reels

Favorite lures: Winco Custom Lures “Predator Craw” and in cold water the Winco's “Chillee Willee” get the nod!