My parents fished from the bank when I was a baby and left me in a play pen where I could watch them fish. While at a young age I caught a 10 pound bass and was hooked for life. The very first year I fished professionally, I won the Lady Bass Rookie of the Year award.
I fished the pro circuit for 10 years competing against over 200 other female anglers and made it to 9 classics. I learned a lot and fished with some superstars, both men and women.
When I started working for Florida Fish and Game Finder I fished some of their Bass N Buddy Tournaments. My work kept me busy as I was the top dollar sales record holder for all 38 states. My goal is and always will be to help promote fishing so more people (particularly women and children) can enjoy this great sport.
When Lady Bass started their lady bass fishing circuit I joined and fished all over the country while holding down a full time job for 20 years. I also fished Bass N Gal and Guys and Dolls circuits, and a Bass Federation Tournament.
I’ll never forget the 1st boat I bought. I went to Killarney Boats in Orlando and the salesman wouldn’t share the cost of the boat nor tell me much about it. I ended up driving over 60 miles to another boat dealership and bought my first Cajun Boat. Cajun ended up being a long time sponsor where they furnished my boat for the year and then we would sell it and Cajun was paid for it. Without sponsors it would be extremely costly to pay all the expenses including entry fees, traveling out of state and lodging for at least a week before the cut off. Killarney later became one of my better sponsors as well.
The BASS Federation I won was fished with over 200 men and 8 women and was one of my prouder moments as my draw partner said on stage that his “girlie” partner (me) taught him more in one day’s fishing than he had learned in his whole life.
I starting working for Southern States Fishn’ & Huntn’ magazine and have been working for them for over 20 years. I ended up getting my Captain’s license and became a fishing guide and enjoyed guiding for over 30 years. Some of the best fishing at the time was at Stickmarsh so I did a lot of trips there as well as the Kissimmee Chain and the Harris Chain. It was easier to catch an 8 to 10 pound bass back then, than it is now. So far my record is a 15 pound bass which was released alive as all the trophy bass were.
Roger, Dorothy and Desiree have all been joys to work with and love this magazine even more than I do. I still love selling advertising.
Captain Lynda Hawkins
Magazine Ad Representative
Southern States Fishn’ & Huntn’ Magazine
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