THE BASSMANN

Gary Carter - Tournament angler

"I have been fortunate from early childhood to be able to spend a great deal of my time in the outdoors. My fondness for chasing finny critters was fostered by my father during the many summers spent at our cabin on Gull lake outside Brainerd, Minnesota. At the age of 12 my uncle introduced me to the sport of SCUBA diving. Over the years this has been a valuable tool for learning the ways of the many fishes that occupy both fresh and salt water. And, although I have spent time in the water from the Aleutian Islands to the Gulf of Mexico, a fishing rod was always close by."

THE STORY

• Past president of two local clubs
• Six time club Angler of the Year
• Angler of the Year with Southwest Bass Anglers tourney trail in 1982.
• Filmed TV show with Jerry Dean on Lake Meredith in 1995
• Winner of the "Panhandle Grand Slam"
• One of four local fishing experts to panel the "Panhandle Forum" which has been held as a question and answer session during Mel Phillips' "Outdoor World" show in Amarillo.
• Gary Carter is an experienced public speaker (Company Seminars, Local Boat Shows, Local Outdoor Seminars)

Gary's tournament experience began in 1976 when he was talked into fishing the Panhandle Open - He finished in third place. That year he joined the Top of Texas Bassmasters (a B.A.S.S. affiliated club). Back in those days there were some low-buck pro tournament circuits around (Poor Boy Bass, American Angler, Sport Bass Association) and he decided that the best way to really learn tournament fishing was to fish in this level. Gary fished Poor Boy Bass for two years finishing in the top six in his region both years and went to the nationals held at Percy Priest. In 1982 Gary was Angler of the Year for the Southwest Bass Anglers tournament trail.

Gary quit tournament fishing and club participation until 1984 when he re-joined the Top of Texas Bassmasters. He was Angler of the Year four times and was in the top six every year. In 1993 Gary helped form a new club (High Plains Bass Anglers) and was Angler of the Year in 94 & 95. Gary is past president in one club and has held other offices as well in both clubs. 

Gary is in the national B.A.S.S. register for local lake advice and has helped many people plan their visits to the area. He has also been very successful in open tournaments within a 300 mile area. In 1995 he had the pleasure of filming a show with Jerry Dean on Lake Meredith.

Gary has retired from the pro trails and now spends time traveling and fishing.  Gary's latest venture is teaching his grandkids how to fish