The sport of Bass fishing has given me plenty to be
grateful for. For me, it’s been a hobby, a source of competition, something
that kept me out of trouble, a way to enjoy God’s beautiful outdoors, and so
much more.
THE EARLY YEARS
Taking my float tube in the local lake and delta
when I was a teenager, breathing in the fresh air, and catching fish brought
excitement that cannot be matched by a video game or television. As I got
older, I looked back on those memories and I knew they were something that I
would want to share with other teens. It seems with each generation, kids are
enjoying the outdoors less and less. Bass fishing has been such a positive
influence in my life, and it only seems right to spread and share the beauty
and the knowledge of it with others.
It wasn’t long ago, I remember watching Bill Dance
and Jimmy Houston on T.V. with a notepad and pen writing down what I needed to
get before my brother and I would be dropped off at my grandparents houseboat
for the weekend. We spent week after week every summer with my grandparents from when I was four-years-old,
until I got my first job. I grew to love the sport of bass fishing in those
years with little improvement, knowledge or skills.
A WAY IN
After I got my driver's license, I was at the local
tackle shop asking the owner many questions and walking up and down the aisles
day after day looking at tackle. The owner soon asked me if I would like to
work there. I gladly accepted and it all started at the age of 17.
Each day, I would talk to tournament anglers who
were nice enough to share some information with me as I was young and really
pursuing bass fishing hard out of my 15 foot Valco aluminum boat. I was
on the water every chance I could get, each day trying to improve my
skills.
It didn’t take me long to see there was a lot of
competition and a lot of money involved in
fishing for bass. I have always been very competitive and grew up trying to
make money any legal way I could. All I needed was a partner and I was ready to
start fishing tournaments.
GETTIN' SKILLS
I met my Harvey at the tackle shop one day and
expressed I was in pursuit of a partner and he gladly accepted. Years later,
with four AOY titles, over 30 top-3 finishes, two first place pro pro/ams and a
second place in the 2012 FLW as a pro, I look back thinking of how far I have
grown with the help of my older more experienced partner and by spending three
to five days a week on the water, listening to seminars, and reading
magazines.
I realize it was because of other bass fisherman
helping me when I was young that I am where I am today and have accomplished
what I have. I try as often as I can to give back to what was kindly
given to me by taking others out as a role model, helping people catch their
first bass or just helping increase their own skills.
MY FIRST SEMINAR
After being contacted by the head of the Delta Teen
Team Bass Club, myself as well as my sponsors Lumpy’s Diner, Hi’s Tackle, Toxic
Baits and Phenix Rods put on a seminar last month with donations for their
young members. I was very excited. It was my first seminar and it was teaching the
youth. I had hope that night would impact or redirect one or more to possibly
pursue bass instead of what many of our youth are participating in with drugs,
gangs and such things.
With donations and a free guide trip with myself
raffled away for the teens I had an hour to speak about winter time bass
fishing, the mindset of tournament fishing, proper equipment and decision
making on the water.
Close to 20 teens gathered at Lumpy's Diner in
Brentwood. Both boys and girls in the age group from 11-18 showed up. I shared
with them how it wasn’t even ten years ago I was sitting in their shoes hungry
to learn how to understand bass and the tournament side of the sport. I told
them about fishing my first tournament out of my 14 foot aluminum boat with my
25 horse Yamaha, taking second and the thrill it was at the age of 16. I was
able to share the pros and cons of what I learned over the last ten years.
INSPIRE OTHERS TO FISH
After going over tips and techniques, we ended with answering questions and
grabbing a bite to eat at Lumpy’s. It was a great experience for me and
something I suggest that other bass anglers want to do.
We can only hope we inspire others to take a kid
fishing and to introduce to them what was given to us. Whether it be just
fun fishing or a tournament, the outdoors is for everyone and will keep our
youth healthier, and committing less crime.
I want to thank His Tackle box Phenix Rods and Lumpy's
Diner for their donations and expressing their care for the youth and the
future of the great sport we all enjoy.
Phillip Dutra has been fishing
the California Delta for 20 years, competing for the last 8 years, His personal
best is a 11.2lbr from the Delta. His most recent achievement is the 2013 Won
Bass Pro Am win on the tidal water. Dutra is sponsored by Hi’s Tackle,
Phenix Rods, Toxic Baits, Lumpy’s Diner and FishDelta.com. Follow him at Dutrafishing.com
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