What Is Alex Peric Doing Now? Current Updates On The Googan Squad Star In 2026
Disambiguation Note: While retail database queries often refer to Alex Peric, the former high-level executive and Co-President of ALDI US, this profile focuses entirely on Alex Peric (known online as "APbassing"), the professional angler, digital creator, and co-founder of the Googan Squad.
The landscape of outdoor content creation has undergone a massive transformation, and at the center of this evolution is Alex Peric. Famously known to millions of fishing enthusiasts as "Peric" or "AP," he has transitioned from a high-energy YouTube creator into a seasoned outdoor entrepreneur, brand strategist, and multi-species angling specialist.
As the Googan Squad brand matures into a household name in retail spaces like Bass Pro Shops, Dick's Sporting Goods, and local tackle shops nationwide, fans are eager to understand Peric’s current operational role, his solo content strategies, and where his career stands.
Tracking Alex Peric’s Career Evolution and the Googan Squad Legacy
Alex Peric first captured the attention of the fishing community through his raw, high-octane YouTube channel, APbassing. Along with a core group of creators—including Rob Terkla (LunkersTV), Jon Barzacchini (Jon B.), Justin Rackley (LakeForkGuy), and Andrew Flair (Flair)—Peric co-founded the Googan Squad. This creator collective revolutionized the fishing industry by merging youth-oriented entertainment with professional-grade product development.
By establishing Googan Baits in partnership with Catch Co., the group successfully challenged traditional tackle manufacturers. Their signature products, such as the Krackin' Craw and the Mondo Worm, became immediate commercial successes.
As the brand grew, the operational demands on its founders evolved. The early years of shared content houses, collaborative daily vlogs, and constant group challenges have given way to more structured, individual business paths. While the collective remains an iconic milestone in digital fishing history, the founders have diversified their personal brands to ensure long-term stability in the creator economy.
Where Is Alex Peric in 2026? Current Projects and Content Direction
Alex Peric remains highly active in the outdoor industry, focusing his efforts on a mix of independent content creation, product design, and experiential travel. Rather than relying solely on high-volume, algorithm-driven fishing vlogs, his current strategy prioritizes production quality, unique geographic destinations, and deeper educational value.
Expert Insight on Creator Brand Longevity
The transition from a collaborative group dynamic to a solo-focused enterprise is a natural progression for successful digital creators. By diversifying his personal brand away from the collective identity of the Googan Squad, Alex Peric has successfully insulated his career from the volatility of group channels. This strategic shift allows him to command premium sponsorships, design specialized signature gear, and cultivate a highly loyal, mature audience of dedicated anglers.
Personal Channel Strategy and APbassing
On his primary channel, Peric has shifted away from quick-cut pond-hopping videos toward documentary-style angling adventures. His content features off-the-grid survival fishing, multi-species expeditions across North and South America, and behind-the-scenes looks at his life as an outdoor business owner.
Brand Ownership and Equity
Peric continues to hold significant equity in the Googan Squad brand and its parent entities. He remains involved in the research and development phase of new tackle lines, testing prototype soft plastics, hard baits, and rod actions before they hit major retail shelves. Additionally, he collaborates on targeted marketing campaigns and select merchandise drops.
Strategic Sponsorship Partnerships
Beyond Googan Baits, Peric has secured partnerships with top-tier marine, automotive, and outdoor lifestyle brands. These collaborations allow him to integrate high-end technical gear—such as advanced sonar systems, off-road vehicles, and specialized camping equipment—directly into his adventure-focused content.
Analyzing the Shift in Googan Squad Dynamics and Peric’s Role
A common question among fans is whether the original Googan Squad members are still working together. The reality of the group's structure is highly professionalized. The members no longer live in a shared content house; instead, they operate as distinct business entities that collaborate strategically.
This operational shift has allowed Peric to avoid the creative burnout common among long-term YouTubers. By stepping back from the relentless schedule of group-mandated content, he has unlocked the freedom to explore niche areas of the sport, such as fly fishing, deep-sea excursions, and cold-water species management.
Comparative Analysis of Alex Peric’s Content Eras
To understand how Peric has sustained his relevance in a highly competitive digital market, it is helpful to look at the distinct phases of his career. The table below outlines his progression from a grassroots creator to an established industry figure.
| Era | Key Content Focus | Primary Platforms | Primary Revenue Streams | Core Audience Engagement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Grassroots Era (Pre-2016) | Local pond hopping, bass fishing basics, raw vlog style | YouTube, Instagram | AdSense, basic merchandise, grassroots sponsorships | High school and college-aged recreational anglers |
| The Peak Googan Squad Era (2017–2021) | High-energy group challenges, collaborations, product launches, content houses | YouTube, Instagram, Facebook | Googan Baits equity, major brand deals, high-volume merch sales | Gen Z and Millennial fishing enthusiasts |
| The Diversification Era (2022–2024) | High-production travel vlogs, multi-species targeting, entrepreneurial insights | YouTube, TikTok, Instagram | Brand sponsorships, product development royalties, digital ads | Mature outdoor hobbyists and lifestyle consumers |
| The Modern Solo & Venture Era (2025–2026) | Experiential travel, technical angling guides, off-grid survival, brand equity management | YouTube, Premium Streaming, Instagram | Equity dividends, signature product lines, high-value corporate partnerships | Multi-generational outdoor enthusiasts and serious anglers |
Step-by-Step Guide to Following Alex Peric’s Current Fishing Setups
For anglers looking to replicate Peric's modern power-fishing and multi-species techniques, implementing his preferred gear configurations is essential. Over the years, he has refined his tackle to maximize efficiency when targeting heavy cover and deep structures.
Step 1: Selecting the Right Rod and Reel Configuration
For versatile power fishing, Peric utilizes a 7'3" Medium-Heavy, Fast-Action casting rod. This rod action provides the necessary backbone for strong hooksets in heavy cover while maintaining enough tip sensitivity to detect subtle bites. Pair this with a high-speed baitcasting reel (7.3:1 or 8.1:1 gear ratio) to quickly retrieve slack line and pull fish away from structure.
Step 2: Line Choice and Knot Selection
When fishing thick vegetation or heavy timber, spool your reel with 50-lb to 65-lb braided line. In clearer water or when fishing presentation baits like swimbaits, use a 15-lb to 20-lb fluorocarbon line for its low visibility and high abrasion resistance. Always use a Palomar knot for braided line to ensure maximum knot strength, or a San Diego Jam knot for fluorocarbon.
Step 3: Rigging the Googan Baits Krackin' Craw
One of Peric's go-to setups is a Texas-rigged Krackin' Craw. Slide a 3/8-oz tungsten bullet weight onto your line, followed by a rubber bobber stop to pin the weight if you are fishing dense brush. Tie on a 4/0 Extra Wide Gap (EWG) hook. Thread the bait onto the hook, ensuring the point is tex-posed (buried slightly in the plastic) to keep the presentation completely weedless.
Step 4: Mastering the Power Flipping Technique
Target isolated cover such as laydowns, dock pilings, and weed edges. Make quiet, underhanded pitches or flips to present the bait with minimal water disturbance. Allow the bait to fall on a completely slack line, as most strikes occur on the initial drop. Give the bait two or three subtle twitches, retrieve quickly, and repeat the process on the next piece of structure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alex Peric’s Current Status
Is Alex Peric still a member of the Googan Squad?
Yes, Alex Peric remains an active co-founder and equity partner of the Googan Squad. While his personal content focus has shifted toward solo adventure travel, he still participates in major brand initiatives, product development cycles, and select collaborative media projects.
What is Alex Peric's primary YouTube channel?
His primary channel is APbassing, where he has uploaded content for over a decade. The channel's focus has evolved from local bass fishing challenges to high-production, multi-species outdoor travel and survival documentaries.
Where is Alex Peric currently based?
While his production schedule requires him to travel extensively across the United States and international destinations, Peric maintains his primary residence and creative base in Illinois, where he grew up fishing Midwest waterways.
Does Alex Peric compete in professional fishing tournaments?
No, Peric does not compete on major professional tournament trails like the Bassmaster Elite Series or Major League Fishing (MLF). Instead, he focuses his professional career on digital media production, product design, brand marketing, and expanding the recreational angling community.
What are some of his signature products?
Peric has been directly involved in designing several soft plastics and hard baits under the Googan Baits label. He is particularly well-known for his advocacy and creative input on versatile craw-style baits, topwater frogs, and heavy-cover flipping jigs.
The Future of APbassing and Outdoor Content Creation
As the digital landscape becomes increasingly saturated, Alex Peric's strategic shift toward high-value, cinematic, and educational content represents the future of the outdoor creator economy. By prioritizing authenticity, technical expertise, and long-form storytelling over temporary viral trends, he has built a resilient personal brand that appeals to both casual viewers and serious anglers.
Whether he is navigating remote waterways in search of exotic species or collaborating on the next generation of retail fishing tackle, Peric’s impact on the sport of angling remains profound. His journey serves as a blueprint for how modern creators can successfully leverage early internet fame into sustained, long-term entrepreneurial success.
