Martin’s Milestone

Legendary angler earns Hall of Fame induction

ATHENS, Texas – Tommy Martin, the renowned bass pro from Hemphill, Texas will be inducted into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame on Saturday (June 2) at the state fish hatchery in Athens, Texas. A 2011 runner-up, Martin’s induction celebrates an accomplished career spanning more than four decades. With a Bassmaster Classic victory notched in his belt, Martin has recorded five top-10 finishes and won $139,080 in FLW competition.

Formerly a bass guide in the early days of Toledo Bend and nearby Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Martin said he entered the professional bass tournament scene somewhat later than most.

“I didn’t get into bass fishing until I was about 28,” Martin said. “I grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast and I fished saltwater for many years. I moved inland about the time (Toledo Bend) and Sam Rayburn were filling up and I basically learned to fish (for bass) on my own because there weren’t any experts or anybody back in those days to teach you anything.”

As he progressed in his bass knowledge, he learned much about his new career by fishing local tournaments and studying the exploits of industry icons like Bill Dance, Bobby Murray and FLW Tour pro Roland Martin. He joined B.A.S.S. at its outset, but tempered his ambition with a plan of preparation.

“I had my sights set on becoming a pro fisherman but I told myself that I’m going to practice really hard and I’m going to guide and I’m going to fish some small tournament just like I was going to college,” Martin said. “I’m going to learn to be a professional fisherman before I jump in a fish the big leagues with the big players.

“I wanted to learn everything I could so I spent five years doing that. I didn’t fish B.A.S.S. until 1974, but by the time I got in, I felt like I was ready. In the first tournament I fished, I finished third and then I won a (regular season) tournament and then I won the Bassmaster Classic that year. I guess I was ready. I worked hard at it – just as I do today.”

Martin, who points to deep jigging as his signature technique said his five years on the FLW Tour and EverStart Series have been a pleasant chapter in his storied career: “FLW is a great organization. They’re a wonderful group of people and they run great tournaments. I wish they had been around earlier when I was a younger fisherman, but they’ve been very kind to me.”