About Me

About Me

(Eric) Owner & Fabricator, US Army Combat Veteran

You may not know me, but it’s important that you know this. My products represent myself and my values. They are defined by passion, integrity, taking pride in one’s work, and durability.  I run my business while keeping this in mind. You should also know that I’m grateful. To be alive, to be an entrepreneur, and to create custom top-quality fishing and boating accessories for hard-working, fun-loving folks like yourself.

I am a proud US Army veteran, having served 5 years as a combat engineer. My job in the Army was route clearance. What does that mean? The short version: I was the guy responsible for finding bombs before they could find other soldiers or myself. My platoon discovered over 400 pieces of explosives on our tour to Iraq, and sadly, a few found me. Remember when I told you I was grateful? This is a huge reason why. My work in the Army included two trips to Iraq for a total of 27 months, splitting my time between South Baghdad and Ramadi/Fallujah. I spent countless long nights staring up into the stars, thinking about home, and planning a new life for when I returned to the home I once knew.

The next several years after leaving the Army in 2011 would prove to be an incredibly challenging time. I struggled to find myself and navigate my way through life. I also lost my father shortly after my return home. Part of me felt like I would’ve been better off going back to Iraq to find explosives. At least that job (and aspect of my life) was self-explanatory.

Before my service in the Army, catfishing was one of my favorite hobbies. After a dark period in my life, I was finally able to return to it in 2015. I remembered how much I enjoyed the quiet and peace I found sitting in a boat, appreciating the landscape around me and the joy it brought me. 

Then, I realized I had found a new calling in life. As a fisherman and experienced fabricator, I could fulfill the need for  high-quality, customizable fishing and boating gear the catfishing community severely lacked.

I tested a few pieces of equipment I had made for my friends, and they quickly encouraged me to try to enter my gear into the market. Fat Fish Designz officially launched in late 2018. Like many startup businesses, I struggled to piece together the finances needed to build a large shop for myself when life unexpectedly gifted me a miracle. I opened my mailbox one afternoon to find a life insurance check from my mother, who had passed 12 years earlier. This provided me with an opportunity to build the shop of my dreams. Shortly after built my first e-commerce website and have since been working diligently to grow my business and gain brand exposure in the fishing community.

Every product of Fat Fish Designz is crafted meticulously and personally by me. I pride myself on being a one-man operation and being able to personally communicate w my customers thus providing the best experiance.  It’s just me, my tools, and my dog, making the ultimate fishing and boating accessories. As a disabled veteran, I am thankful to be able to work out of my own shop, close to the comforts of my home. While my business is growing and my workspace has become a bit tight, I have found my happy place where I can work at my own pace and create customized, one-of-a-kind products for like-minded people who enjoy the simple pleasures life offers through activities like fishing and boating. I am a creative woodworker, a dynamic fabricator, a passionate craftsman, and, most importantly, a tenacious entrepreneur.

Exciting update: Fat Fish Designz LLC is now a custom design and fabrication shop that utilizes a CNC router to produce the ultimate fishing and boating accessories. You will be happy to know our products are made from Marine-grade Starboard plastic. 

Our products range from custom-engraved cutting boards, fishing rod storage racks, sinker/weight storage boxes, live wells, tool holders, net holders, and much more! We offer the most customizable options of anyone in the market. Our products are extremely durable and guaranteed to last. Typical turnaround time is 3-5 days (all our products are made to order).

Can’t find what you're looking for? Send us an email, and we will happily answer any questions. I am grateful for your business and look forward to working with you and your family!

PS I now offer a range of custom woodwork, including customized furniture, wall/home decor, aquarium stands, stove covers, door hangers, nursery signs, and much more!