In 1980 JAY WATKINS took his first client fishing. Little did he know
that from that day forward the morning spent on Copano Bay, just north of
Rockport, Texas would change his direction in line forever. It's true that
Jay had a love for fishing that was instilled in him by his Father and
Grandfather, but to actually make a career from fishing; it never entered
his mind. In the early 80's the GCCA (Gulf Coast Conservation Association)
was just getting started. With their focus on protecting Game Fish species
Jay's timing could not have been orchestrated any better. Jay makes his
home in the small but fast growing coastal town of Rockport, Texas. Have
you ever spoken with anyone familiar with Texas fishing and waterfowl
hunting that was not familiar with Rockport. Jay has lived in Rockport his
entire life. Jay enjoys his two boys Jay Ray and Ryan both of which are
accomplished anglers in their own rights. "It's just breath taking to be
out there watching them enjoy and love the things I do," Jay has been
quoted as saying. If you have ever seen them on the Texas Trout Masters or
Red Fish Cup Events you would know that they are 3 peas in a pod.
Jay has enjoyed many successes in his career, none more dear to him
than watching his boys follow in his footsteps. While Jay Ray stays close
and works as a guide in Rockport, Ryan has headed off to Stephen F. Austin,
pursuing a degree in kinesiology. Along the way Ryan started competing in
the Colligate Bass Fishing Tournament Circuit. Ryan is the 2008/2009
President of the schools bass fishing club. Ryan has won 3 Bass tournaments
already and continues to keep his eyes set on a BASS MASTERS CLASSIC win
someday. I am sure Jay and Jay Ray will be there to cheer him on. Jay is a
leader in the sport fishing industry. Jay is a student of the game; his
FISH SMART FISHING SEMINARS are some of the best saltwater seminars on the
market today and have been for the past 14 years. Jay has toured every
major city in Texas promoting fishing through his seminars and as a guest
speaker for an endless list of conservation associations, tackle dealers
and private corporations. Jay has even been hired on numerous occasions as
an inspirational speaker at local High Schools and businesses. Jay is
revered as one of the BEST teachers in the industry today.
Jay is also the owner of jaywatkins.com, a WEB SITE that offers weekly
Game Plans for anglers wishing to visit the Rockport area. A Game Plan is
seven days of Jay's fishing, with detailed advice on WHERE, WHY, WHEN and
HOW to find and catch fish in and around Rockport. Jay just might be the
ONLY guide on the entire Gulf Coast willing to tell everyone exactly where
he is fishing each and every day. Jay is also the owner of the JAY WATKINS
FISHING CLUB. This exclusive FISHING CLUB is available to members only at a
cost of 895.00 per year, sounds expensive, Jay sold his limited club
memberships out in less than 36 hours the first year and has had sell outs
every year since it's beginning. This is a testimony to Jay's reputation as
a guide and a person.
In 2007 Jay started producing his own VIDEOS with the help of good
friend and webmaster Ken Vestal. Note, without Ken NONE of the items you
see on the website would be possible. Jay has stated many times that his
business would not have grown like it has the past 6 years without Ken's
help and dedication. Jay currently has 13 videos on-line and in Tackle Town
in Rockport for sale at this time. The videos are an ongoing project, as
times change fishing patterns change. Jay takes you with him through these
changes from year to year. The videos are a must if your serious about
becoming a better angler.
On the tournament scene Jay's accomplishments run deep. To list a few,
Jay has won three Trout Master events, the only Texas Pro to win
back-to-back victories in a single season. He has also won the prestigious
Trout Masters Classic Event. This is the Top 100 anglers of the season
event. Jay has won two CCA Mid-Coast Guide Cup Championships, two Saltwater
Angler Guide Cups, again back-to back victories. Two Baffin Bay Big Trout
Bash victories, again back-to-back. In Jay's FIRST Baffin Bay Bash he set
an all time record for the heaviest stringer weighed in ALIVE. In two days
he weighed in trout weighing, 9 lbs. 10 oz., 9lbs. 2 oz., 8lbs 14 oz and
7lbs 14 oz. All of these fish are still alive today in a research hatchery
in Corpus Christi, Texas. Jay and his son and partner in tournaments
recently won the 2004 AMERICAN ROD SMITHS TROTU MASTER and the Port Aransas
I.F.A. RED FISH TOUR EVENT. Jay finished 2nd over-all in the I.F.A. TEXAS
DRAW EVENTS in 2004, which qualified them for the I.F.A. CLASSIC. Jay along
with partner Jim Franklin finished 32nd over-all in the ESPN RED FISH CUP
SERIES in 2004. A blown engine in the final event of the year cost them a
birth in the CLASSIC. Jay has won many other local tournaments throughout
his career.
This season the WATKINS FISHING TEAM embarks on a lifetime dream as Jay
and his son and Guide Jay Ray Watkins Jr. hit the tournament trail again.
Look for some exciting things from this Father and son duo in 2009.
Jay's sponsors include, MAJEK CUSTOM BOATS,RONNIE'S MARINE in Aransas
Pass, Texas, YAMAHA OUTBOARD MOTORS and APPAREL, WATERLOO CUSTOM RODS,
DIAWA FISHING REELS, BASS ASSASSIN LURE MANUFACTORS, L&S BAIT COMPANY,
MUSTAD HOOKS, MAINSTREAM MARKETING, FOREVER LAST HUNTING AND FISHING
PRODUCTS, POWER PRO BRAIDED FISHING LINES, SMART SHEILD SUN SCREEN
PRODUCTS, SIMMS OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, COSTA DEL MAR SUNGLASSES, ROCKPORT TACKLE
TOWN, MOTOR GUIDE TROLLING MOTORS, GARMIN DEPTH FINDER and GPS, COASTAL
TRAILERS , POWER POLE and H&H RED FISH TWIST FREE SPOONS.
Jay's list of accomplishments is long and includes many 1st place wins
as well as top 5 finishes. Jay has finished in the TOP 10 on 22 other
occasions in his career.
1984- Larry's Tackle Town Tournament CHAMPION
1987- Dallas Night Club Tournament CHAMPION
1987- Tackle Town Red Fish Division CHAMPION
1988- 2nd Annual Bobbies Bait and Tackle Big Trout Tournament CHAMPION
1990- MID-Coast Guide Cup CHAMPION
1990- Port O Connor Big Trout Tournament CHAMPION
1993- Mid Coast Guide Cup CHAMPION
1997- Saltwater Angler Guide Cup CHAMPION
1997- Texas Women's Red Fish Rodeo 4TH Place
1998- Saltwater Angler GUIDE CUP CHAMPION
1998- Gulf Coast Trout Master Classic CHAMPION
1999- Port O Connor Trout Masters 3rd Place
1999- Galveston Trout Master 5th Place
2000- Matagorda Trout Master 4th Place
2000- Rockport Trout Master 2nd Place
2000- Sabine Pass Trout Masters 2nd Place
2000- Port O Connor Trout Masters 4th Place
2001- Rockport Trout Masters 4th Place
2001- Port Mansfield Trout Master Shimano Open CHAMPION
2001- Port O Connor Trout Masters Cut-rate Open CHAMPION
2001- Galveston Trout Masters Summit Steel Open 5th Place
2003- Baffin Bay Big Trout Bash CHAMPION
2003- Baffin Bay Big Trout Bash Largest Trout Day One 9lb 10oz.CHAMPION
2003- Baffin Bay Big Trout Bash Largest Trout Day Two 9lb.2oz. CHAMPION
2004- Baffin Bay Big Trout Bash CHAMPOIN
2004- Rockport American Rod Smiths Trout Masters CHAMPION
2004- I.F.A. Red Fish Tour Port Aransas Texas Draw CHAMPION
2004- I.F.A. Over-All Texas Draw 2nd Place
2004- I.F.A. Classic Qualifier
2004- ESPN Oh Boy Oberto Red Fish Cup Series Kemah, Texas Event 14th
2004- ESPN Oh Boy Oberto Red Fish Cup Series Over- all Finish 32nd
2005- F.L.W. Walmart Red Fish Tour Series Over - all Finish 24th
2005- F.L.W. Classic Qualifier
2005- Cystic Fibrosis Cast For A Cure Tournament- GRAND CHAMPION Lure Division
2006- F.L.W. Walmart Red Fish Tour Series- 5th Place Finish
2006- Babes on the Bay GUIDED, LURES ONLY -CHAMPION
2006- Babes on the Bay OVER-ALL - GRAND CHAMPION
2007- Texas Saltwater Trout Series P.O.C. 2nd Place
2007- Texas Saltwater Trout Series Championship 2nd Place
2007- Texas I.F.A Ranger Cup Port Aransas, Texas 3rd Place
2007- Texas Saltwater Series Red Fish Series Port Aransas, Texas 3rd Place
2007- Walmart F.L.W Red Fish Tour Port Aransas, Texas 7th place
2007- Walmart F.L.W. Red Fish Tour Rockport, Texas 5th place
2007- Texas Saltwater Series Red Fish Series Port O Connor, Texas 2nd Place
2007- Walmart F.L.W. Red Fish Tour Rockport, Texas 5th Place
2008- Texas Trout Series/Cabela's Outdoors Baffin Bay Tournament 5th Place
2008- Speedy Stop Bash Baffin Bay Tournament 2nd Place
2008- Texas Red Fish Series/Cabela's Outdoors Bluff's Landing Tournament Champion
2008- Texas Red Fish Series/Cabela's Outdoors Port Lavaca Tournament Champion
2008- Texas Red Fish Series/ Cabela's Outdoors Rockport Tournament 2nd Place
2008- I.F.A.Red Fish Tour Series Corpush Christi Tournament 4th Place
Jay wishes to thank his family, friends and sponsors for their support over
the years.
