Caymas Bass Boats Pro Staff
John Gipson
Hometown: Battle Ground, IN
Family: Meghan (wife), Josie and June (daughters)
Boat: 2023 Caymas CX 21 with a Mercury 250 Pro XS 🔥
Favorite Local Lake: Lake Palestine
Notable Tournament Accomplishments: 1st Place National Guard FLW College Fishing Central Division on Detroit River, Bass Anglers United Classic Champions, Michigan BASS Federation Nation State Team Qualifier, won the R&B Bass Circuit Classic and Team of the Year Points Championship in the same season twice
John started bass fishing at his grandpa’s house on Priest Lake in Dowagiac, MI. He entered his first bass tournament with his dad when he was 11, catching enough bass on a Walmart spinnerbait to win and get big bass. From that time, he was hooked on the sport. His grandpa was his primary tournament partner through college and winnings from those events helped him earn his degree. He now fishes more than 40 tournaments each year across Indiana and Michigan. You will find him spending time with his family or helping students succeed through his full-time job at Purdue University when he is not fishing.
Ken Holder
Hometown: Osceola, IN
Family: Michelle (wife), Dylan, Brittney & Maggie (kids)
Boat: 2023 Caymas CX 20 with a Suzuki DF 250 SS 🔥
For over 40 years, Ken Holder has been passionate about all things related to fishing. Originally from “The Sportsman’s Paradise,” a.k.a Louisiana, he grew up around and on the water. His love of water turned into a career by becoming a master pipefitter specializing in building and maintaining fire suppression systems using his favorite medium, water. When not at work or taking care of projects around the house, he can be found on the water. Ken has a passion for sharing his knowledge of fishing and boating, especially with the next generation. He loves to participate in tournaments, if possible, every weekend from spring to fall and has had much success over the years. Winning his first Bass Tournament with his Dad at age 10 “set the hook” for a lifelong passion. Ken’s motto, as with many sportsmen, is to pay it forward and always be willing to give a helping hand. He does this by volunteering his time to teach kids about boater safety and the joys of responsible fishing. Because of his outreach, Ken is fortunate enough to have been sponsored by Starboard Choice Marine of Edwardsburg, MI. This platform allows Ken to reach a larger audience with his message of service to others while also enjoying the great outdoors. Ken currently resides in Osceola, IN, with his lovely wife Michelle, kids: Dylan, Brittney, and Maggie, and we can't forget his beloved wiener dog "Kobe".
Andrew Hankins
Hometown: Mishawaka, IN
Family: Samantha (wife), Bella & Eolise (daughters)
Boat: 2022 Caymas CX 21 with a Mercury 250 Pro XS 🔥
Lover of all things fishing! I was fortunate enough to grow up in a family that had fishing in their blood. I began fishing with my dad and uncles at a very young age every weekend of the year in a boat and on the ice. I started off as many young anglers do fishing for the notorious bluegill. Ever since that first rush of adrenaline hit my blood I was hooked. It did not matter big or small, everything under the surface, I was going to try to catch!
This love of fishing did not stop! Later into my teenage years that passion and love shifted more towards the elusive smallmouth and largemouth bass. I began competing in small local tournaments across the street from my house on the St. Joe River. These small local tournaments soon turned a little more serious, as I know compete all around the northern region, even across the border into Canada.
Fishing is an incredibly humbling sport that challenges you on and off the water. It makes you put things into a perspective that is hard to explain to someone who has never had the experience. I am thankful for everything it has provided for me and my family. Whom I owe everything to for allowing me to follow my passion and dreams in life.
