Jack Winters created Angling With Officers to give back to the Law Enforcement Community by taking Police Officers and their families out fishing.
His goal was to give Police Officers a therapeutic way to take a break from the everyday stresses that go along with having a career in Law Enforcement.
Because I grew up in Michigan, the opportunities for outdoor activities were endless. My earliest memories are of fishing with my dad. Wire-lining for walleye at night on the Detroit River, ice fishing on Lake St. Clair for panfish, participating in musky tournaments on Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River, chasing salmon on Lake Huron, and casting plastics around the rocks, break walls, and weed beds of local lakes for bass and pike are among these memories. After college I moved to Ohio, and I did not complain about living on the shores of the “Walleye Capital of the World”.
After a serendipitous meeting with Ali Shakoor at a walleye seminar, the tournament career began. It has become an obsession, and, has allowed me to travel the United States fishing some of the best walleye fisheries in the country, while competing against the best anglers on the tour. I enjoy the challenge of outsmarting the walleye, as well as outsmarting the other tournament fishermen.
When I am not out fishing, I spend my time building my marine dealership, Erie Marine Sales, where we sell boats catering to fisherman. When we are not working, my wife and I spend our time attending our four boys’ athletic activities, or enjoying a nice night out on the town.
More about Brian:
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Hobbies: Fishing, boating, spending time with my family.
Favorite Lure: Reef Runner Deep Diving Crankbait
Favorite Way to Fish: Trolling Crankbaits
Favorite Fishery: Lake Erie
Captain Ali Shakoor is a USCG licensed charter captain, with over 30 years experience on the Great Lakes. Ali travels to fish the Cabelas/Bass Pro Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC), and has experience in other circuits, including the Lake Erie Walleye Trail (LEWT), National Walleye Tour (NWT), and Anglers Insight Marketing (AIM). He is a 7x World Walleye Championships qualifier with several top-ten finishes. He and his partner, Brian Zarembski, won the 2018 MWC Lorain, OH event with a two-day record of over 89 pounds for ten post-spawn fish. They also have a win in the Anglers Insight Marketing (AIM) circuit with a 54-pound one-day total. In 2021, Ali and his partner traveled to Lake Oahe in Mobridge, South Dakota and secured his second win in the Cabelas/Bass Pro MWC. Additionally, he has multiple other top-ten finishes in various tourney circuits.
He was introduced to his love of the outdoors through hunting and fishing around the Irish Hills area of Michigan. This inspired him to pursue a degree and career in Natural Resources. After receiving his BS in Biology, Ali received an MS in Conservation Ecology from the School of Natural Resources at the University of Michigan. Currently, he is a PhD student in Evolutionary and Organismal Biology, with an emphasis on Aquatic Ecology, at Wayne State University. Ali enjoys discussing fish biology and ecology, fish behavior, invasive species, food web disruptions, and other non-biological factors including the effect of wind, weather, and waves on fish locations. His ability to link scientific concepts and research to common fishing situations, in understandable language, has made him a popular draw at fishing clubs, boat/fishing shows, and meetings such as the National Professional Anglers Association Annual Meeting.
His current partnerships include: Warrior Boats, Mercury Marine, Lowrance Electronics, Fishhawk Electronics, Denali Rods, AFTCO Freshwater, Erie Marine Sales, Offshore Tackle, Airwave
Pedestals, Cisco Fishing Systems, Sunline, and Worldwide Marine Insurance
Ronnie’s passion for fishing began at the age of 6. He and his father fished the waters of Lake Erie in Ohio for walleye, perch, bass, and catfish as well as New York waters of Lake Erie for salmon.
When his father became a USCG Captain, Ronnie began his career as a first mate.
Over the next 30 years Ronnie honed his fishing skills and began to target his favorite species, Walleye.
In 1995 began Ronnie’s career as a tournament angler. Fishing the PWT, RCL, MWC as well as local circuits, Ron quickly established his name in the walleye world.
Career highlights include: 2001 2nd place pro RCL Lake Erie, four top 10 finishes in the MWC from 2006-2008, 2014 2nd place pro NWT Trenton, MI, 2014 LEWT 1st place Lakeview and 1st place championship Huron, OH.
During this time, Ronnie has been a full-time employee of Ford Motor Company in Avon Lake, OH. For the last 25 years Ron has been a USCG licensed captain on Lake Erie. He follows the walleye migration on Lake Erie in Ohio. Ron provides instructional charters for the
beginner all the way through to the more advanced techniques employed for the competitive tournament angler.
Ronnie can be found on the ice guiding in the winter when conditions allow as well as speaking throughout the Midwest including Novi boat show, Michigan-Ohio Expo, fishing, and outdoor shows as well as local fishing clubs.
Ronnie is excited to join Head2Head Fishing for its inaugural 2021 Professional Walleye Series. He looks forward to expanding his walleye fishing skills as well as fishing new lakes and rivers.
“Over the years as my career has progressed, I have been blessed with so many wonderful opportunities to work with great companies as well as meet wonderful people all over the country. I enjoy passing along my love of fishing, conservation and water safety education, I
have gained to anglers and outdoor enthusiasts of all experience levels.”
Ronnie operates Wide Open Waters Walleye Charters in Ohio.
Jeff, a Colorado Native, started fishing with his Dad at the age 8. Jeff and his Dad enjoyed fishing all across Colorado and many of their experiences centered around lake trout and Walleye. Jeff started guiding trips for Angling With Officers in 2020, and he quickly realized his service to our Law Enforcement community was as therapeutic for him as it was for the Officers. Because of Jeff’s continued commitment to give back to the Police who serve our community, and through his generosity of time, Angling With Officers has been able to add 2 additional Law Enforcement Agencies to the Colorado program.
Jeff Fetters grew up fishing with his dad in Wyoming and many of the surrounding states. His love of fishing quickly grew into wanting to compete against other anglers in the WWC and Wyoming Stampede. During that time Jeff managed to earn an invite to the 2012 NTC. Jeff took off some time from competitive angling to raise his family, but is back this year fishing the CWT and guiding trips for Angling With Officers.
“I love sharing fishing with Officers and their family and friends – it is a really relaxing sport!” – Jeff Fetters
In his free time, Jeff builds custom fishing rods – which are used during his trips with Angling With Officers.
DJ is a disabled combat Veteran who loves to fish. In DJ’s own words…“I fished three years with Jack Winters on the Wyoming Circuit. Learning a lot from him during that time. In 2019, Jack asked me if I would be interested in helping out with Angling With Officers. Without hesitation I said YES! Giving back to Police Officers and their families has been so gratifying! Also, at the same time it’s therapeutic for me as much as it is for the Officers. I paint fishing lures with my service dog when I’m not on the water, which is my second therapeutic passion.“
Gene was born and raised in the Colorado mountains and has been an avid angler since he was a child. He has spent countless hours fishing, and in 2021, started fishing competitively on the Colorado Walleye Trail. As a current Law Enforcement Officer of more than 20 years, Gene understands the stresses of the job and has found great solace on the water. Therefore, it’s only natural that he has teamed up with Angling With Officers to give back to his brothers and sisters in Blue. He is excited to share the serenity and fulfillment fishing has brought to his life with his fellow Officers.
I fell in love with fishing when I was 10 years old on the Fox river. Walleye fishing has always been my number one passion. One great thing about living in Colorado for the past 30 years is, I can go walleye fishing one day and the next day I can head to the mountains to fish for lake trout. I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to fish around the world for some of the biggest game fish there are. When I’m not at work I spend most of my time at Chatfield or Cherry Creek Reservoir fishing for walleye. Hopefully by serving with Angling With Officers I can pass along my knowledge of walleye fishing to other sportsman.
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