The Stansel brothers, Kirk, Guy & Bobby, (Terry's stepsons) are the owners.

The “Stansel Boys” as they are known grew up fishing on Lake Calcasieu. Kirk, Guy and Bobby Joe the stepsons of Terry Shaughnessy found their passion on the lake and the duck blinds of southwest Louisiana as kids. Terry Shaughnessy founded Hackberry Rod & Gun in 1975 and he turned the reins over to “The Boys” in 1998. Since then Hackberry Rod & Gun has grown to be the largest charter fishing operation on the gulf coast. Their commitment to customer service, quality growth and knowledgeable employees continues to be the driving force each day. Come visit “the boys” soon and experience a hunting or fishing trip that you will never forget.

Captain Kevin Augustine

Kevin had been captaining the Night Stalker for the past 2 years and all of his customers love him. They all call him KEVIE. Besides being a great captain Kevin is also a super cook and a scratch golfer. In 2005 Kevin went straight from a night boat trip to the golf course to win the city championship for the city of Lake Charles. Right after the trophy presentation someone was heard saying WHAT’S THAT SMELL? Oh well

Captain Buddy Oakes

Known as “Pooh Buddy”. He has his own private beach located in a very remote part of big lake. Buddy has been fishing Lake Calcasieu for over 25 years. He spends most of his time CONFINED TO THE OFFICE but manages to get out on the water pretty regular. If you see him WORKING out on the water it's because we are in a real bind!

Captain Bobby Stansel

Bobby began fishing at Hackberry Rod & Gun 25 years ago. Bobby’s wife Tila heads up our food, beverage and house keeping dept. At 6’6” Bobby wishes he could play basketball but believe me he is one of the best fishermen on the lake. His dry humor and quick wit will keep you on your toes.

Captain Jake Darnsteadt

Born in Sulphur Louisiana Jake has been guiding for over 9 years. As a kid he was raised in the outdoors and is an avid duck hunter as well as deer hunter. Jake friendly smile and can do attitude puts him right at the top of the list. He has the ability to fix ANYTHING and like to work with his hands.

Captain Paul Deshotel

Paul is a full time fire fighter and has spent many years guiding part time. His big robust smile will invite you start up a conversation that may take a while to end. Paul loves the water and loves being with the clients he is guiding with. Many clients request Paul if he is not out rescuing someone from a burning building.

Captain Mike Bares

“Sugar Bares” as we call him has been a member of our staff for the last 2 years. Mike always has a big smile on his face and is willing to help anyone any way his can. Mike’s “flats cat boat” can get you up very shallow where the big fish are.

Captain Paul Grindol

Paul is a very passionate fisherman and goes over board for his clients. His ability to find fish never ceases to amaze me. Paul is one of the “young guns” on the lake and will be for years to come. Paul is married to his wife Tera and they have a daughter two year old Jordan.

Captain Brett Stansel

Brett is the son of Kirk and Lanette and was raised on the Lake Calcasieu at the knee of his dad. A good high school athlete he has now turned the focus to college and fishing. He is quiet, competitive and is in his element on the bow of his boat showing the way to a school of fish. Brett guides here at the lodge on weekends and during the summer while pursuing a degree in wildlife management at McNeese State University.

Captain David Darnsteadt

Captain Darney was born in Westlake Louisiana and soon moved to Gum Cove. He has been fishing and hunting this area all of his life. He is one of the fine young guns that are becoming the driving forces out on the lake. His customers love the way he fishes and his personality. Darney always has a smile on his face.

"In 2008 Darney married the best catch of his life….. just ask his wife"

Captain Al Winfrey

Al started his career here at Hackberry Rod & Gun as the deck hand on the Night Stalker. Al really enjoys his customers and delights everyone as he roars away from the dock with his huge 300 Mercury engine screaming flat out. You always know which fishing spot Al is headed for.

Captain Guy Stansel

Captain Guy began his fishing career here at the lodge over 25 years ago. Guys wife Pauline as well as their daughter Kayleigh work here at the lodge. He and his brother Bobby are the tallest of our staff and he can see the fish for miles. Guy is very laid back and reminds you of a person picking out peaches at a produce stand.

Captain Buzz Stansel

The father and mentor of “The Boys” Buzz is the leader of the pack. At 75 years old he can out fish, out hunt and out work most everyone here. From his modest home here in Hackberry he manufactures hand made knives and heads up the southwest headquarters for the manufacturing of the legendary Hackberry Hustler baits. His master’s degree in bait making has earned him the title of “Master Baiter”

Captain Aaron Stephens

“Nooks” as he is known in these circles and to his customers is one of our part timers. Raised in Sulphur Louisiana “Nooks” has fished and hunted this area all of his life. One of the really true sportsmen left in the area he will eat ANYTHING. It is rumored that in his younger days he spent 2 weeks in the marsh eating nothing but the eyelids and gums of raccoons he trapped. Personally I don’t believe it. Maybe the eyelids but not the gums.

Captain Jimmy Deason

Captain Ronnie Biddy

Captain Ronnie grew up fishing on Lake Calcasieu at the age of 13. He began his career 15 years ago as a duck and fishing guide here in southwest Louisiana. Ronnie always has a big smile on his face. It’s even bigger now.

Captain Kirk Stansel

Captain Kirk has been guiding at the lodge for over 25 years. Kirks wife, Lanette and son Brett all work here at the lodge. Even in poor conditions Kirk seems to always find the fish. Just like his brothers, Kirk is very active in community projects such as Ducks Unlimited, CCA as well as many industry organizations.

Captain Melvin Dowers

Melvin is a life long resident of Sulphur and has been fishing “Big Lake” al of his life. In 2007 Melvin guided during the weekends for us and will soon retire from PPG and become full time.

Captain Brady Duhon

After graduating from ULL with a degree in wildlife management Captain Brady spent the next 2 years at the helm of a huge airboat working for Shaw and guiding on the weekends for Hackberry Rod & Gun. Hooked on fishing Lake Calcasieu all of his life it’s only natural the he begins his first full time year (2008) here at the lodge. Brady has a great smile and a passion for putting dem fish in da boat.

Captain Greg Hanks

Greg has been fishing this area for many years and is a great addition to our weekend guide staff.

Captain Jason Broussard

Jason came to us with the desire to work on the Night Stalker. After a couple of years as the deck hand with Captain Kevin on the night boat he decided he want to move up. After completing his Coast Guard school Jason will begin guiding here at the lodge. We welcome Captain Jason to our staff on the water.

Zach Mitchell

Zach is one of the best young fishermen on the lake. Learning how to fish at the knee of his dad Cain for many years and Zach has blossomed out big. Zach attends McNeese State University and is majoring in business, Bio Chemistry, Constitutional Interpolation and girls. If you are not sure of the word interpolation……. it is a method of constructing new data points within the range of a discrete set of known data points.  These college boys are smart. Zach was an all everything baseball player at Sulphur high school but he decided on a fishing scholarship at Hackberry Rod & Gun before entering college. Zach is a great asset to our family here at the lodge.

Boco Leger

Boco and his wife Vickie live in Sulphur just north of Hackberry and has been guiding fishing and hunting trips for years here at the lodge. Boco knows some fishing holes that have NEVER held fish but when Boco fishes them the fish show up.

Larry Shuff

Larry came to us a couple of years ago and has fit right in with our family. Larry lost his boat during hurricane Ike and found it in the top of a tree. It was not a pretty sight. Larry had a new boat now. A Red/Black screamer that probably runs 50 or 60 MPH. He is a fun guy and serious about putting his customers on fish. He is an avid exercise buff and works our everyday possible.

Anthony Busceme

Anthony was born in Beaumont Texas just after the Second World War. He grew up hunting and fishing with a true love for the outdoors. After a stint in the Marine Corp and the mortgage banking business Anthony got smart and turned to hunting and fishing for his career. After losing a successful fishing guide business to hurricane Ike in Crystal beach Texas Anthony brought his skills and great personality to Hackberry Rod & Gun last year. Anthony and his wife Tricia live in Dequincy Louisiana just a little north of Hackberry where she and her family own and operate Nichols Sporting goods. Anthony always has a “get-er-done attitude and is a great addition to our fishing and hunting family here at the lodge.