Rob Chapman

Background

About Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman IV is an angler, businessman, marketer, writer, award-winning artist, coach, award-winning writer, artist and social media creator. Chapman holds both an International Game Fish Association IGFA world record as both an angler and guide, a combination rarely achieved in the history of the sport. He is also an award-winning marine artist, outdoor columnist, and tournament-winning angler growing up in Bradenton, Florida. He was born in Sarasota, Florida on December 6, 1978. Chapman has always had a passion for the outdoors and fishing from an early age and has continued to this day influencing almost all of his business ventures. Chapman is the creator and founder of Next Catch Fishing, Outdoors360, Fish Poker, Scubafish, and personal brands; Rob Chapman Fishing, Rob Fishes the World and the Rob Chapman IV collection. Rob has designed and worked with companies throughout the world from fishing industry leaders like the IGFA, Mustad, and PowerPole to BassProShops, WaypointTV, Saltwater Experience, Into the Blue TV and Bealls. Chapman’s earliest years were spent in Sarasota, Florida on the water or at the ball fields. Baseball was his best sport and fishing was his passion. He won multiple awards as a decorated Hall of Famer at Saint Stephens High School highlighted by 6 MVP (4 baseball, 2 basketball) awards, and where he still holds the school records for career Wins and Strikeouts (as a pitcher) and RBI’s (as a first baseman). During this time he won the inaugural Sam Crosthwait Fishing Tournament] Junior Division with Team Twin Towers. At 6′ 5″ and left-handed the future was bright for Chapman, but ultimately an onslaught of injuries – including elbow reconstruction (Tommy John Surgery) – forced Rob to retire from baseball. Rob graduated from Jacksonville University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Computer Art & Design. Immediately following Graduation Chapman launched Rob Chapman Art, Inc, a business focusing on marine artwork and shirts. Simultaneously Rob began teaching at Summers Elementary School in Lake City, Florida, and coaching baseball at Columbia High School as the Pitching Coach. He ultimately pivoted careers to Florida Gateway College in 2009 where he is currently the Marketing Director and Coach of the National Championship Runner-Up Bass Fishing Team. Rob has 3 siblings, Lea, Erika, and Jon Chapman. He currently lives in Lake City, with his wife, Andrea and two daughters, Lilla and Molly.