Kevin Phelps

President/Owner, BustinBass

I grew up in Southern Maryland right on the Chesapeake Bay fishing both salt and fresh water. Growing up I was a fanatical fisherman and hunter, who also loved to hike and be in the outdoors. I graduated from Southern High School and attended Brevard College with a focus in military studies and sports psychology. After Brevard, I entered the United States Marine Corps (Semper Fi) with tours in Camp Lejeune, NC and Iwakuni, Japan. I met my two best buddies in the world in the summer of 1981 at Brevard College; and they are my two partners in BustinBass.

I have a wonderful wife Lisa and two awesome boys Nathan (3) and Ryan (1 ½). I fish primarily with Fishers of Men, but have also fished the BFL and club tournaments with the Maryland Bass Federation and Nations Capital Bass Federation. When I am not bass fishing or with my family and friends, you can find me surfing, biking, hiking or running on a trail.

Del Smith

Regional Director/Owner, BustinBass

I started my fishing career when my dad took me fishing on Lake Okeechobee when I was 4 years old and I never looked back. I graduated in 1981 from South Brunswick High School in Southport, NC and then attended Brevard College. That is where I meet my two BustinBass partners, along with a lot of other great friends.

I served nine years in the United States Air Force which included Desert Shield/Desert Storm deployments and was stationed at King Fahd International Airport. My wife, Joni, and I have two wonderful girls, Morgan (17) and Lindsey (13).

Mark Pepper

Regional Director/Owner, BustinBass

Although I was born in Connecticut, lived in Pittsburgh until the age of ten, I lived most of my young adult life in Sanford, North Carolina.  I started fishing back in the early 70’s in local ponds, streams and rivers and quickly developed a love for the outdoors to include hunting.  I primarily fished with my friends after school, but also enjoyed hunting for small game (birds and rabbits) with my Dad.

I met my BustinBass buddies Del and Kevin both at Brevard College, but finished my undergraduate degree at East Carolina University.  I furthered my education at North Carolina A&T and Fayetteville State University with Masters Degrees from both universities.

I enjoy fishing as often as I can and look forward to the upcoming fishing/tournament season!  I am married to my wife Gina and have three children, Alex (14), Jordan (12) and Gabriel (8),