Meet the Anglers: Challenge Cup - Team BUBBA (#1)

Justin Cooper + John Hunter

justin cooper and john hunter_GTTS-Erie-D5-SmkyMtn-PMoore-03.jpg

2024 General Tire Team Series - Challenge Cup Teams

Major League Fishing

Cooper_0327.png

Justin Cooper

Major League Fishing

Justin Cooper

Zwolle, Louisiana

Before making the Bass Pro Tour in 2023, Cooper placed second in the 2021 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Rookie of the Year race. He finished in the Top 20 for Angler of the Year all three years he fished the Pro Circuit/Invitationals, including three Top 10s in 2021. In 2025, the Bass Pro Tour limited forward-facing sonar use to one period per day, and Cooper made his first Bass Pro Tour win at Stage 1 on Lake Conroe, weighing 78 pounds, 5 ounces, on 34 scorable bass.

FUN FACT

Cooper holds a pre-med degree from Northwestern State University, but chose to follow his dream of becoming a professional angler. He owns a guiding business on Toledo Bend where they fish for crappie and bass. He also has an outfitting business where they hunt whitetail deer and exotics.

Career Wins1
Top 10s3
Top 20s7
REDCREST Appearances1
Career Winnings$468,764

GTTS-Erie-D6-Takeoff-PMoore-03.jpg

John Hunter

Major League Fishing

John Hunter

Shelbyville, Kentucky

From fishing at Georgetown College in his early years to a short stint on the Bassmaster Elite Series, Hunter has been around the block in bass fishing. In the second breakout season of his career, Hunter finished eighth in points on the Pro Circuit in 2022 to qualify for the Bass Pro Tour. Hailing from the hills and hollers of Kentucky, Hunter has been able to handle everything from Florida grass to northern smallmouth in his career. Hunter made his REDCREST debut in 2024.

FUN FACT

Hunter enjoys real estate investing, including flipping homes and building new ones. He also enjoys golf and deer hunting

Career Wins-
Top 10s14
Top 20s25
REDCREST Appearances2
Career Winnings$470,525
Related Stories
But over the final 70 minutes on Tomahawk Lake, Wheeler and Daniels caught fire, boating 13 scorable bass for more than 20 pounds to bring their total to 65 pounds, 8 ounces on 43 scorable bass.
Check out some of the RFD-TV Now livestream highlights from Knockout Match 2 of the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies, the second of four events in the second year of the Fishing Clash Team Series.
All three teams surpassed the 100-pound mark in a tight race from start to finish.
Check out some of the RFD-TV Now livestream highlights from Knockout Match 1 of the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies, the second of four events in the second year of the Fishing Clash Team Series.
Check out some of the RFD-TV Now livestream highlights from Elimination Match 3 of the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies, the second of four events in the second year of the MLF Fishing Clash Team Series.
Jacob Wheeler and Mark Daniels Jr. of Team O’Reilly Auto Parts breezed to the win in Elimination Match 3, boating 30 scorable bass for 37 pounds, 3 ounces.
U.S. aquaculture may gain competitive ground as harmful subsidies are phased out abroad, but producers should monitor shifts in import supply chains and trade enforcement closely.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

China’s beef policy risk stems from domestic volatility, making export demand inherently unstable. Jake Charleston with Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on cattle markets, risk management, and producer sentiment.
USDA flash corn sales, Cattle on Feed and Inventory reports, and beef packer antitrust concerns dominate January agricultural market news.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said permanent access to the higher ethanol blend would provide farmers with much-needed certainty while supporting domestic crop demand.
Food prices increased in December, but not as much as expected, according to the latest Consumer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joined us to provide analysis on the January WASDE report and expectations for grain markets going forward.
Logistics capacity remains available, but winter volatility favors flexible delivery and marketing plans. NGFA President Mike Seyfert provides insight into grain transportation trends, trade policy, and priorities for the year ahead.
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Coop Dreams
“Green Acres” meets “Home Improvement” in this refreshing, informative unscripted lifestyle series depicting the hilarious adventures of a suburban family gone rural.
Expert gearheads Kevin Byrd and Willie B have a wealth of technical knowledge and a passion to share it each week on Two Guys Garage.