Googan Squad ten year anniversary
Celebrating ten years of Googan Squad. From five creators to one of fishing's most recognizable brands, this is the story of how it all happened.
JUST FIVE GUYS WHO LOVED TO FISH
In 2016, YouTube was opening doors that had never existed before. A new generation of creators was proving you didn't need a television show or a tournament title to build an audience. All you needed was a camera, a story, and something worth sharing. Five fishing creators came together simply because they loved making videos and loved being on the water. Their personalities clicked, their friendship grew naturally, and viewers connected with something that felt genuine. None of them knew it at the time, but they were helping shape a new era of fishing.
CHANGING THE WAY PEOPLE DISCOVER FISHING
For decades, fishing media was largely built around tournament competition and professional anglers. That inspired plenty of people, but it wasn't how most anglers experienced the sport. These creators showed something different. They filmed the early mornings, the missed fish, the bad days, and the unforgettable ones. Viewers weren't just watching fishing, they felt like they were part of the trip. The focus wasn't on being perfect. It was about learning, having fun, and spending time on the water. That authenticity resonated because every angler starts somewhere. The community didn't connect with polished success. They connected with people who loved fishing just as much as they did.
WHEN NO ONE SAID YES
The original vision wasn't to build a tackle company. It was to build a media company, create great content, and partner with the biggest names in fishing. The audience was growing, the engagement was there, and it seemed like only a matter of time before the industry embraced a new generation of creators. But that moment never came. Rather than waiting for someone else to believe in the vision, the group decided to build something themselves. If nobody was willing to create the products they wanted to stand behind, they'd make them on their own.
22 MINUTES THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
On July 3, 2018, Googan Squad launched its very first product line: six soft plastic baits built by anglers, for anglers. Twenty-two minutes later, every single one was gone. There wasn't a major retail launch or a traditional advertising campaign behind it. It was simply a community that had spent years watching the journey and believed in what these creators were building. That launch became a defining moment for the brand. It proved that authentic relationships with anglers could build something every bit as powerful as the traditional path through the fishing industry.
BUILDING MORE THAN BAITS
That first launch was only the beginning. What started with six soft plastics steadily grew into one of fishing's most recognizable product lineups. Hard baits, terminal tackle, rods, reels, apparel, storage, tools, and more all followed over the years. The goal was never to release products simply to expand the catalog. Every addition was designed to solve a need, improve an experience on the water, or create gear the team genuinely wanted to fish themselves. The lineup grew, but the philosophy behind it never changed.
MORE THAN JUST A BRAND
Looking back, the biggest impact wasn't simply building a successful tackle company. Googan Squad helped change how people discover fishing. It showed creators they could build careers by sharing their passion. It encouraged brands to embrace digital storytelling. Most importantly, it inspired countless people to pick up a rod, head outside, and experience fishing for themselves. For many anglers, Googan Squad wasn't just another brand. It was the reason they started fishing, rediscovered the sport, or found a community that reminded them why they loved it in the first place. That's a legacy measured by far more than products sold.
THE NEXT DECADE STARTS NOW
Ten years later, the mission is still the same. Create great content. Build products anglers are proud to fish. Continue growing the community that made all of this possible. Every cast, every new product, every video, and every person who discovers fishing through Googan Squad becomes part of the story. The first decade built the foundation. The next decade is just getting started.
A Decade of Defining Moments
From the very first video to unforgettable catches, product launches, and major milestones, explore the moments that helped shape the first ten years of Googan Squad.
November 2016
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
The very first Googan Squad video was published, marking the beginning of a journey that would grow into one of fishing's largest creator communities.
July 2018
THE FIRST CAST
Googan Squad launched its first line of soft plastic baits, taking the brand from creating fishing content to creating products anglers could fish with.
December 2018
A RECORD-BREAKING CATCH
One of the Squad's biggest adventures led to catching one of North America's largest freshwater fish, creating one of the most unforgettable moments in Googan history.
April 2019
A PLACE TO CALL HOME
The opening of Googan Squad HQ gave the team a dedicated home for filming, product development, and building the next chapter of the brand.
October 2019
EXPANDING THE LINEUP
Hard baits joined the growing Googan lineup, bringing the same creator-driven approach to another essential category of fishing tackle.
July 2020
A NEW WAY TO FISH
Googan Rods launched, extending the brand beyond tackle and giving anglers complete setups designed by people who spend countless hours on the water.
October 2022
THE REEL LINEUP ARRIVES
After years of development, Googan Squad launched its first-ever lineup of Green and Gold Series spinning reels, marking a major expansion beyond baits and rods into premium fishing reels.
February 2024
A RECORD FALLS
Scott Martin set the Bassmaster Elite Series record for the largest five-bass limit in history while fishing a Googan Bandito Bug, proving its performance on one of the biggest stages.
February 2025
INTRODUCING RESERVE
Googan Reserve launched with premium soft baits built for anglers looking for refined designs, premium materials, and proven fish-catching performance.
June 2026
MEET THE GLIZZY GLIDE
The launch of the Glizzy Glide brought one of Googan Squad's most anticipated hard baits to anglers, adding another unique lure to the growing lineup.
THE FIRST TEN YEARS IN NUMBERS
Ten years of content, community, and unforgettable moments. Here's what we've built together.
Fan Favorite Moments
Vote on your fan favorite from our recent YouTube series. We’ll be sharing more clips of your favorites on Instagram.
The Community Says It Best
Anglers have been at the heart of everything we've built. Here's what they have to say.
Caught on Googan
From personal bests to unforgettable days on the water, check out photos shared by anglers catching fish with Googan Baits.
