Ben Koller
Born and raised in Phoenix, Ben has spent his entire life fishing Arizona waters. Coming from a family with a long-standing Arizona fishing history, Ben spent his childhood years split between the desert lakes surrounding the Phoenix area and the high country lakes and streams in the White Mountains near Whiteriver. His diverse fishing education would eventually lead to an unbelievably successful fishing career, both as a guide and as a tournament angler. It was while attending Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona on a full ride music scholarship that Ben realized that his passion for fishing could not be ignored. After college Ben set out and quickly rose through the ranks of professional bass fishing. In the tournament off-season, Ben started guiding for existing guide services that needed help throughout the state. Ben quickly became the most sought after bass guide in Arizona. Ben has since compiled over 40 first place finishes and over 100 top-twenty finishes in his bass fishing tournament career, including 4 angler of the year titles, and has qualified for every championship that he has fished for. Ben has also logged more client days over the last 10 years than any other guide in Arizona, and has used his time on the water and tournament skills to develop one of the most impressive client sheets of any guide in the world. Ben has been a speaker and headliner at hundreds of trade shows and fishing events throughout the country, was the head instructor of the Orvis fly fishing schools in Arizona before developing his own curriculum for “The Hook Up Fishing Schools”, and has been the featured guest and host of various TV shows on channels ranging from ESPN to the Sportsman Channel. Ben has also traveled extensively with his high school sweetheart and now wife Kelly to various fishing destinations throughout the world in search of new techniques and tactics including trips to Costa Rica, Belize, the Yucatan, Aruba, Hawaii, Alaska, Curacao, St. Thomas, Tortola, United Kingdom, Florida Keys, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, California, Alabama, the Gulf coast, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Bermuda.

Ben currently fishes the FLW series bass tournament trail, manages The Hook Up Tackle Store and Fly Shop, and still finds time to guide over 200 days a year. Ben is also the new proud father of Kolton Koller, born February 2, 2008. Ben is sponsored by and a pro team member of Ranger Boats, Mercury Outboards, Motorguide trolling motors, Lowrance electronics, G.Loomis rods, Shimano reels, Hatch Fly Fishing reels, Patagonia, Southwest Boats, Kaenon sunglasses, and the Orvis company.

After high school he enlisted in the Marine Corps, a dream of his since he was eight years old. After proudly serving in the Corps, John went back to work for the family business, Grand Avenue Produce Company. The business has gone from a small family fruit stand to the largest produce distributor in the state, employing over 100 people. As the business grew, his time on the water was drastically cut back. However, in 2001 the company was at a point that it could afford him to be gone somewhat, and back to the water it was, averaging 180 to 200 days per year on a lake somewhere!

No longer on the tournament scene, he still fishes an occasional charity derby from time to time. His real passion is fishing with one of his five grandchildren. Whether it’s chasing top water action on our local lakes or fishing the kelp beds off the coast in Southern California, it doesn’t matter to John. Fishing, hunting and spending time outdoors with the kids is what it’s all about. John has fished a good portion of the country as well, including California, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Carolina, South Carolina, as well as a long list of saltwater trips, both in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

The “top water king”, as we call him, John believes in throwing a top water bait year round. He has the support of a great family: wife, Tammy, sons, Johnny and Anthony and daughter, Caitie along with his five grandchildren. Bulldogs, Chesty, Mack & Gunny are always ready, willing and able to take a nap with John (they don’t swim!). John is also the team captain of the Hook Up Marine Fishing Team and always willing to take a challenge from various teams. The team remains undefeated as of 2008.

John Murray
John has won over two millions dollars in his tournament career so far, including 2 Bass Master Events, 7 Won Bass Events, 2 U.S. Open Championships, 4 Daiwa Cups, has won over 30 bass boats, and has qualified for 5 Bass Master Classics.  John competes on the Bass Master Elite Tour, is a regular on ESPN’s Bassmaster Television show, and is the host of Bassfan.com’s “Big Stick on Tour”.  John is an Arizona resident, and has joined The Hook Up guide team during his tournament season and off season to create this one of a kind guiding opportunity.
John is considered one of the greatest western anglers of all time, and he is excited to share his knowledge of bass and techniques with his clients.  John guides on famous Arizona waterways Lake Pleasant and Roosevelt Lake, as well as Saguaro Lake and Bartlett Lake.  He specializes in instructional trips, teaching bass behavior, seasonal strategies, bait selection, and technique.  Anyone looking to gain an edge in their own fishing or learn tournament winning strategies should expect to learn a ton from their day on the water.

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