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

Justin Cooper + John Hunter

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2024 General Tire Team Series - Challenge Cup Teams

Major League Fishing

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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

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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
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“A lot of natural instincts involved in this format.”
We will see some familiar duos when the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies kicks off on Sunday. Each of the four teams that won Cup trophies in last year’s Team Series will reunite in Minocqua, Wisconsin.
Heritage Cup Begins Sunday, September 14th at 10 AM ET

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.

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