Jason Hunter went from professional bull riding to pro angler. Courtesy photo

Jason Hunter of Branford knows what it takes to be successful. His resume as a professional bull rider is full of accolades. Hunter loves a challenge. In fact, the challenge of bull riding is what attracted him to the sport. These days, Hunter has turned his attention to pro angling, and so far, this challenge has brought him success.

Hunter was born on May 4, 1984, in Tampa to Janice and Wayne Hunter. At about the age of five, the family packed their bags and moved to Bandera, Texas, where they raised quarter horses.

“Bandera is known as the cowboy capital of the world,” he said, laughing. 

It was in Texas that Hunter developed a passion for bull riding. 

“I fell in love with the sport because of the challenge – it’s man against beast,” Hunter said. 

In 1998, the family loaded their suitcases once again and moved back to the Sunshine State, and planted their roots in Suwannee County. 

Hunter eventually graduated from Branford High School in 2001 and was ready to enter the real world. He was also ready to enter the world of bull riding. 

“I had a lot of success coupled with a lot of injuries,” he said.  

Hunter was participating in a rodeo in Baxley, Georgia, that he assisted in organizing to benefit Austin McKinnon, a young man who was diagnosed with a life threatening disease. It was at that event Hunter made the decision to hang his saddle after 22 years in the sport.

“When I came off my bull, I busted both of my ankles,” he said. “I was 28 years old. I just knew it was time to do something different.”

While he spent most of his time on the saddle, Hunter enjoyed going fishing in his spare time. 

“I’ve always had an intense passion for bass fishing,” Hunter said. “When I gave up bull riding, it gave me more of a chance to go fishing.”

In 2005, Hunter started fishing in small club tournaments and partnered with his mentor, Bill Hardy. Hunter was intrigued by the challenge of bass fishing. 

“After I started fishing a lot, I noticed improvements and started fishing with other people. Apparently, I wasn’t as good as I thought I was because I got my butt kicked (in a tournament),” he said. 

When Hunter got home from work, he spent the rest of the day on the water perfecting his skills.

“I worked from daylight until 5 p.m. When I got home, I would hook up the boat and spend the rest of the evening on the boat. I would get home every night around 9,” he said. “You have to work hard to get better at it.”

Hunter accepted the challenge and it wasn’t long before he became a notable fisherman. 

He eventually purchased a pro camera and began making short videos and putting them on Youtube. Shortly thereafter, he was contacted by Michael Clarke of Creme Lures in Louisiana about becoming a pro staffer.

“I agreed and became a pro staff for the company, and I use their lures in my videos,” he said. “The more videos I did, the more people started taking interest in me.”

Hunter introduced Creme Lures to this area, which can be purchased at Spinners and Yarn in Branford. 

Exposed Eligible competition

Later, Hunter found out about a competition hosted by Pro Patterns known as “Exposed Eligible.” As a part of the competition, Hunter created a video where he taught and demonstrated step by step which lure he used, how to use it effectively, why he used it and where he was using it. 

“Typically in a bass tournament, you have three days to pre-fish before the competition. Pro Patterns would get on boat with the professionals and video the pattern they were using,” Hunter said. “It’s basically the same concept, but with amateur fishermen.”

In order for Hunter to win a $5,000 video package and a chance to record a video on a boat with fishing legend Timmy Horton, he must get the most votes on Facebook. To vote, visit the link: http://bit.ly/1i0j6gj. Voting will end Aug. 31. 

Since Hunter began his career as an angler, he has won many notable tournaments at Ocean Pond in Lake City and Alligator Lake. 

“I want people to see that you can follow your dreams not matter how small of a town you live in,” he said.

Hunter said fishing is also a way to brighten anybody’s day.

“It’s a cool thing to do. The great thing about fishing is, anybody can go. You can take your whole family, including your children, and go fishing and just have a great time. You can take anybody fishing and it’ll make their day better,” Hunter said. “Whether you’re four or 90, it’ll make them smile.”

Hunter said his sponsors, Spinners and Yarn, Urban Water apparel and Hoffman’s Lures, afford him the opportunity to keep fishing. 

“I could not do this without them. They take care of all my fishing needs,” he said. “If they don’t have it, they will get it. 

Hunter is married to Kate, and they have two children, Macy and Lillie.