The FishStix Story

Handmade inshore fishing rods, built in Texas since 2014.

A born fisherman from East Texas

Hunter Welch was a born fisherman. Now don't get us started about a guy named Hunter who's a fisherman — we'll leave that one alone for the time being.

Hailing from the heart of East Texas, Hunter and his twin brother are true-blue fishing fanatics, born and raised with rods in their hands. They spent their childhood reeling in fish from any body of water they imagined fish might call home.

Then destiny cast its line in Bolivar, Texas, and Hunter got hooked on saltwater fishing. His soon-to-be father-in-law showed him the ropes — and that was that. Hunter was all in, determined to master the trade and build himself the perfect inshore fishing rod.

From a kitchen table to the Houston Fishing Show

Hunter and his wife Liz settled in Bayou Vista after she graduated from UT Tyler, and that's when things got really interesting. Hunter's rod-making hobby turned into a full-on obsession — building rods that make fishermen tremble with excitement and fish tremble in fear. He found the name on a quiet morning: FishStix.

In 2014, FishStix became official. It started as a side gig while Hunter juggled school and being a stay-at-home dad to his two little anglers. He took his rods to the Bay City on the Square monthly market, where folks set up shop and sell their goods. Three customers on his first day. Three more next month. He kept casting the line.

In March 2015, he got the big break — the Houston Fishing Show. That's when FishStix caught a netful of attention and hooked loads of folks who wanted a rod built for the way they actually fished.

Built for the way you fish

FishStix rods are designed for inshore saltwater anglers — wade fishermen working the flats, anglers throwing into marsh drains, and coastal boaters chasing redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. Our spinning rods and baitcast rods cover everything from finesse presentations with light soft plastics to throwing topwaters across an early-morning bay.

Whether you're picking up your first inshore rod or adding a specialist to your collection, we'll help you find the right setup. Browse our spinning rods, baitcast rods, or read the buyer's guide to find the FishStix built for the way you fish.

Where we're headed

FishStix is built on trust, respect, and honor — three words Hunter likes to repeat, because they're the same three words he uses with his customers, his suppliers, and his family. The goal is simple: put a FishStix rod in the hands of every person who's ever entertained the notion of going fishing, all across the good ol' US of A.

Cast your line. Reel 'em in. Join the FishStix family. It's gonna be a fin-tastic ride, partner.

— Hunter Welch, Founder