|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
-*- |
Tournament Accomplishments
Biography In 1985 my fishing career started, yes at birth some of my first minutes of
life were surrounded by fishing. In the delivery room my mothers doctor
asked my dad how long I was as he handed me to my father. My dad, Jay
Watkins stated that he was not sure of the length but holding me for those
first few moments told him that I was well over 10-pounds. I weighed in at
a whopping 10 pounds 3 ounces. That ' s not just a keeper my dad said, it '
s a stud. Fishing has always been a major part of my life. I started
actively casting and trying to tie knots at the age of five. I do not
really remember these activities but family photos that hang in our home
today are reminders of some of my first days spent on the waters of Aransas
Bay with my dad. My dad has always found the time to take me and my brother
fishing. From the time I can remember I always wanted to follow in my dads
foot steps and become a guide. He wants me to make foot steps of my own and
is willing to coach me along the way. As I got older my father starting
taking me and my brother along with him to the Texas Trout Masters
Tournaments. In the early years there was a youth division so lots of dads
brought their sons or daughters along to fish. These were some of the most
wonderful memories I have and valued time spent. It was the time spent with
family that means the most to me now but back then it was the excitement of
seeing new areas and not knowing what to expect. Oh, we met some of the
best guides and fishermen in the State. My dad has tons of respect for guys
like David Rowsey Cliff Webb, Blaine Friermood, Mickey Eastman, Tommy
Ramzinski and Todd Adams to name only a few. Throughout our 4 year tour I
learn many things about fishing but more about the true passion for fishing
that I possessed. I could literally not sleep on nights before tournaments
or for that matter fishing trips with my dad. When I entered High School
Thursday nights were sleepless before my Friday night football games. I was
raised in a very competitive life style, the Watkins Tribe as some have
called us DO NOT LIKE TO LOSE. During the summers of my High School career
I worked my dad and local guide Brad Symthe to earn money for my first
truck. I wanted something that could pull a boat and get me into the back
pasture on our South Texas hunting excursions. Over my four years of
working on the water of Aransas Bay I gained valuable knowledge about the
area and about the habits of the trout and red fish that reside here. If
you know my father or have ever heard him speak you know his motto is to
FISH SMART. We agree that fishing smart is crucial if you ever want to
reach the highest level of guiding as well as tournament fishing. I LOVE
THE EXCITEMENT OF TOURNAMENT PLAY. I traveled with my dad during his first
season on the ESPN RED FISH CUP TOURNAMENT trail and helped him scout. What
a great experience it was to travel to all the areas in Florida and
Louisiana and meet the guys we did. The WATTS BROTHERS from Florida are
some of the most genuine guys you would ever want to meet. My dad and his
partner Jim Franklin finished a disappointing 32nd in total point standings
for 2004. My dad has asked me to be his partner in 2005 in all the Red Fish
Cup events, the Trout Masters events, IFA Red Fish Tour Events and the
Q-Series Events. This season my dad and I WON the Rockport Trout Masters
Event and qualified to fishing the Trout Masters Classic in Lake Charles,
La. in October.
Over the years I was fortunate enough to when 3 Trout Master Junior Titles. In my very first Pro Division Trout Masters, the 2004 Rockport Event I won with my dad as my partner. Winning the tournament and the 15,000.00 1st place prize money was great but to stand there with my dad, well it was priceless. In this tournament I was also the winner of the Big Trout Division with a fish weighing at 7 lbs. 13 oz. This brought our total winnings to 18,000.00. After graduating from High School in May of 2004 I entered Coast Guard School to obtain my Coast Guard Captains License. I received my license on July 16 of 2004. I Also plan on attending College In Corpus Christi, Texas in the Fall OF 2004. In closing I want you to know that my Dad has taught me that my job description as a pro staff member is to support my local dealers as well as the manufactures. I am some times the only company representative that the public ever sees so how I present myself and your products are extremely important. I will work extremely hard to provide you with the best product representation possible. My dad and I looking forward to representing you in the upcoming year both on the tournament trail as well as in our daily guiding services. |
