Who Is Still In The Googan Squad? The Ultimate 2024 Roster And Brand Breakdown
The Googan Squad revolutionized the fishing industry, transforming online video creation into a multi-million-dollar outdoor empire. Originating as a group of passionate YouTube creators who filmed their angling adventures, they successfully bridged the gap between digital content and retail commerce. Over the years, fan curiosity has shifted from their catch totals to the dynamics of the group itself. With changes in video collaboration, individual creator paths, and business developments, many fans are left asking: who is still in the Googan Squad?
While the collective upload schedule on their joint channel has evolved, the core ownership and brotherhood of the Googan Squad remain intact. The squad was founded by five core members, and despite persistent rumors of fallouts or departures, all five founders retain their equity and official status within the brand. However, their day-to-day involvement in collaborative group videos has shifted significantly as each member pursues individual content styles, family life, and secondary business ventures.
To understand the current state of the Googan Squad, one must look at both the content creation side and the commercial enterprise. Googan Baits, Googan Squad rods, and their expansive merchandise lines continue to dominate retail shelves globally, from local bait shops to giant outdoor retailers like Bass Pro Shops and Dick's Sporting Goods. The brand remains incredibly strong, even if the creators behind it are no longer living under one roof or filming daily group vlogs.
The Evolution of the Googan Squad: From YouTube Collabs to Fishing Empire
The Googan Squad was formed in 2016 as an organic response to the growing popularity of YouTube fishing vlogs. Before their consolidation, the individual members were friendly competitors, often crossing paths at fishing tournaments or collaborating on one-off video projects. Realizing that their collective energy generated far more engagement than their individual channels alone, they branded themselves as the "Googan Squad"—a term play on "googan," a lighthearted slang term for an eccentric or inexperienced angler.
In the early years, the group specialized in high-energy, challenge-based fishing videos, such as catching fish with bizarre items, survival challenges, and cross-country road trips. This raw, unfiltered, and highly entertaining format resonated with younger demographics who found traditional, slow-paced TV fishing shows boring. The squad's meteoric rise on YouTube caught the attention of the wider fishing industry, leading to the creation of Googan Baits in 2018, which instantly shook up the soft plastics market with iconic lures like the "Bandito Bug" and the "Krackin' Craw."
As the business grew, so did the responsibilities of its members. The transition from young, carefree vloggers to corporate board members and major brand ambassadors naturally altered their filming schedules. The "Googan House" era in Texas—where several members lived and filmed together—gradually came to an end as members got married, started families, and purchased their own properties. This shift marked the transition of the Googan Squad from a hyper-active YouTube collab group into a structured lifestyle and tackle brand supported by individual creator channels.
Who Is Still in the Googan Squad? Current Member Status
To answer the question of who is still in the squad, we must look at the status of the five founding members who built the brand from scratch. Each of these creators still holds an equal share in the Googan corporate umbrella, though their day-to-day public alignment with the "Googan" moniker varies.
Rob Terkla (LunkersTV)
Rob Terkla, known online as LunkersTV, is widely regarded as the business engine and strategist behind the Googan Squad. As a former U.S. Army sniper, Terkla brought a disciplined, highly structured approach to the group's early business deals. He remains a central figure in the Googan enterprise, heavily involved in the high-level corporate operations of Googan Baits and the broader Googan brand.
While Terkla still occasionally appears in fishing content, his personal YouTube channel and social media footprint have diversified significantly. In recent years, he has focused heavily on competitive poker, military-related commentary, and real estate investments. Despite these diverse pursuits, Terkla remains an active, vocal partner in the Googan Squad, frequently representing the company at major industry trade shows like ICAST.
Jon Barzacchini (Jon B.)
Jon Barzacchini, known to millions simply as Jon B., was one of the earliest pioneers of cinematic fishing vlogs on YouTube. His artistic editing style, introspective commentary, and high-production travel videos helped set a new standard for outdoor content. Jon B. is still an official member and co-owner of the Googan Squad, though his content has diverged the furthest from the group's classic challenge-vlog format.
Jon has openly discussed his preference for solo, long-form travel and documentary-style fishing. His content often takes him to remote locations across North or South America, focusing on the beauty of nature and the artistry of angling. While he does not frequently participate in standard Googan Squad channel challenges, he remains deeply integrated into the corporate brand and continues to design and promote specialized Googan gear.
Justin Rackley (LakeForkGuy)
Justin Rackley, known as LakeForkGuy (LFG), brought professional angling credibility and educational depth to the Googan Squad. As a former collegiate competitive angler with deep roots in the Texas bass fishing scene, Rackley balanced the group's high-energy antics with instructional, technique-driven content. He is still a core member of the squad.
Rackley’s journey with the squad has also been defined by personal resilience. After overcoming a major health scare involving a benign brain tumor in 2018, Rackley focused on family, health, and a more sustainable filming pace. Today, his content focuses on family-friendly outdoor lifestyle activities, homesteading, and traditional bass fishing instruction. He remains a vital ambassador for Googan Baits and Googan Rods.
Andrew Flair (Flair)
Andrew Flair, operating the massively popular channel "Fishing with Flair," is the Nebraska representative of the squad. Flair’s explosive personality and love for rural outdoor activities helped the Googan Squad expand its reach beyond pure bass fishing into waterfowl hunting, land management, and agricultural content. Flair remains a major shareholder and active member of the Googan Squad.
Flair's personal content has shifted significantly toward his Nebraska farm, mud-riding videos, and multi-species hunting. Because he lives geographically isolated from the Texas-based members, his appearances on the main Googan channel are less frequent than during the group's early years. Nevertheless, he continues to promote Googan products heavily and collaborates with other squad members during major seasonal events and product launches.
Alex Peric (APBassing)
Alex Peric, known as APBassing, is the energetic, unpredictable heartbeat of the Googan Squad. Based in Pennsylvania, Peric’s hyper-enthusiastic editing style and genuine love for pond hopping made him a fan favorite from the beginning. Peric remains an active partner and member of the Googan Squad.
Peric continues to create solo fishing content that mirrors the raw, highly energetic style of early YouTube fishing vlogs. Like the other members, he has expanded his personal brand into apparel and other outdoor ventures, but he remains highly dedicated to the Googan community, participating in collaborative events and actively promoting new tackle releases.
Googan Squad Rival Glide Bait by Googan Squad | Glide Baits | Tackle.net
Googan Squad Member Comparison & Status
| Member | YouTube Channel | Core Role / Specialty | Current Status | Primary Focus in 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Terkla | LunkersTV | Business Strategy & Ops | Active Co-owner | Poker, Business, Tactical Content |
| Jon Barzacchini | Jon B. | Cinematic Travel & Vlogs | Active Co-owner | Adventure Angling, Solo Documentaries |
| Justin Rackley | LakeForkGuy | Educational & Pro Angling | Active Co-owner | Family, Homesteading, Bass Instruction |
| Andrew Flair | Fishing with Flair | Multi-Sport, Hunting & Mudding | Active Co-owner | Farming, Waterfowl Hunting, Outdoor Life |
| Alex Peric | apbassing | Energy, Pond Hopping & Comedy | Active Co-owner | Traditional Angling Vlogs, Lifestyle |
The Pros and Cons of the Googan Squad's Changing Dynamic
The shift from a collaborative content collective to a group of independent entrepreneurs has had a profound impact on both the creators and their audience. Fans often express nostalgia for the days when the squad lived and filmed together daily, but the evolution of the brand has yielded distinct advantages and challenges.
Pros of the Current Dynamic
- Brand Diversification: With members focusing on different niches (hunting, homesteading, travel, poker), the Googan brand reaches diverse audiences that traditional bass fishing channels never could.
- Long-Term Sustainability: Forcing five adult men to live and film together indefinitely is a recipe for creative burnout. Allowing members space to grow personal brands prevents internal friction and ensures long-term business harmony.
- Product Development Depth: Because members fish in different environments—from Nebraska farm ponds to remote South American rivers—they provide diverse feedback that improves the Googan Baits and Googan Rods product lines.
Cons of the Current Dynamic
- Reduced Collaborative Content: Fans who subscribed for group interactions and challenge videos are often disappointed by the sparse upload schedule on the main Googan Squad joint channel.
- Fragmented Audience Engagement: It is more difficult for casual fans to follow the narrative of the squad when they have to track five different channels across different states.
- Shedding the "Underdog" Status: The squad's transition from passionate YouTubers to corporate executives has alienated some purists who preferred their early, low-budget DIY aesthetic.
How Googan Baits Transformed the Fishing Industry
You cannot discuss the members of the Googan Squad without analyzing the massive retail footprint of their product line, Googan Baits. When the group launched their soft plastics line in 2018, many industry veterans dismissed them as a temporary internet trend. However, through aggressive marketing, distinct packaging, and high-quality, scent-infused soft plastics, they disrupted a stagnant market.
Googan Baits succeeded by speaking directly to a younger generation of anglers. By utilizing "Slaunch Sauce" (their proprietary attractant scent) and designing lures with hyper-engineered action, they created products that actually caught fish while maintaining a cool, cultural relevance. Their subsequent expansion into hard baits (like the "Klutch" lipless crankbait and "Squad Minnow" jerkbait), terminal tackle, and custom-designed fishing rods proved that their business model had serious longevity. Today, the brand is a staple of modern tackle boxes, solidifying the founders' financial independence regardless of their individual YouTube view counts.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Googan Squad
Did the Googan Squad break up?
No, the Googan Squad did not break up. All five founding members—Rob Terkla, Jon Barzacchini, Justin Rackley, Andrew Flair, and Alex Peric—remain equal partners, co-owners, and official members of the brand. Their collaborative content has simply decreased as they prioritize their individual channels, families, and separate business ventures.
Who actually owns Googan Baits?
Googan Baits is co-owned by the five founding members of the Googan Squad in partnership with Catch Co., an outdoor brand incubator and distribution company. This strategic partnership allowed the squad to scale their product manufacturing, logistics, and retail distribution rapidly across North America.
Where is the Googan House?
The original "Googan House" was a rental mansion located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in Texas, where several members lived and filmed together. As the members matured, married, and bought their own homes, they moved out of the shared house. Today, the squad operates out of a corporate headquarters and warehouse facility in Texas, rather than a shared residential home.
Are there any new members in the Googan Squad?
While the core ownership remains strictly limited to the five founders, the squad frequently collaborates with other creators, editors, and industry personalities who are considered close friends of the brand. However, there have been no official additions to the core equity-holding "Googan Squad" roster.
Level Up Your Angling Game
Whether you have followed the Googan Squad since their early pond-hopping days or are just discovering their innovative tackle designs, there is no denying the impact they have had on modern fishing. The squad's evolution proves that passion, community, and business smarts can turn a simple hobby into a global movement.
Are you looking to upgrade your tackle box with gear designed by the world's most famous fishing crew? Head over to your local outdoor retailer or visit the official Googan Squad store online to explore their latest line of high-performance rods, reels, and custom-scented soft plastics. Get out on the water, find your local honey hole, and catch your next personal best today!
