Meet the ETX Outdoors Guide Team
Built by Fishermen for Fishermen
James Chesnut – Lead Guide & Owner
I grew up fishing the backwaters of West Point Lake in Georgia and I’ve had a rod in my hands for as long as I can remember. After serving in the United States Navy from 2008 to 2013, I moved to East Texas in 2015 to work as an Air Traffic Controller with the FAA at KGGG in Longview. East Texas became home fast—good people, strong values, and the kind of waters worth building a life around.
In 2021 I married my wife Brandi, and I’m proud to help raise my stepson Conrad—an 8-year-old fishing partner in training. In 2024 I launched ETX Outdoors with a simple mission: share the outdoors the way it was handed down to me—honestly, respectfully, and with the next generation in mind.
On the water, my style is high-effort but laid back. I don’t overcomplicate fishing or make people feel pressured. I stay patient with kids and new anglers, and I work hard to put people on fish no matter what the conditions look like. I specialize in brush piles, timber, and using electronics the right way—straightforward, real-world teaching that helps people actually become better anglers.
I believe fishing still matters. It slows life down, builds confidence, and creates time that families don’t forget. That’s why every trip with me is built the same way—faith, integrity, and effort from the first cast to the last.
Chuck Waggoner – ETX Outdoors Guide
Chuck has spent a lifetime on the water. He caught his first fish at 4 years old and grew up fishing the creeks, rivers, and reservoirs of the South. In the 1970s, he began fishing Toledo Bend—back when the lake was still being discovered as a powerhouse fishery—and his passion only grew from there. By 19, Chuck was fishing tournaments and went on to compete in Media Bass, Fishers of Men, and the Bass Fishing League.
After retiring from a successful career as a teacher, Chuck chose to return to what he loves most—fishing, teaching, and helping people succeed on the water. Though he built his foundation as a bass fisherman, he always chased crappie in the off-season and eventually made it his full-time focus.
Chuck brings a calm, confident style to guiding. He’s patient with new anglers, steady under pressure, and loves teaching seasonal patterns, boat control, and how crappie truly behave. Whether you're brand new or chasing a personal best, he makes the day enjoyable and educational.
He’s been married to his wife Jodi for 36 years. Together they have two daughters and four grandchildren who remind him why time outdoors still matters.
“Fishing isn’t just catching—it’s time worth spending. I’d be proud to share that with you on the water.” – Chuck