FRISCO, Texas — It was a case of the big idea, delivered after a happenstance meeting, then presented to the right person. That’s the background of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic.
Texas pro angler Kelly Jordon had long thought a huge tournament would be the perfect way to spread the word of the trophy bass fisheries within the state. But he really didn’t know anyone who could do anything with the idea, until he had a chance meeting with Donato Ramos, a commissioner with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Jordon was hunting at a friend’s ranch near Laredo, right next door to Ramos’ ranch. Jordon and his crew discovered fences has been cut between the properties, so they went over to inform Ramos.
Ramos’ sons, John David and Freddy, were there, and after seeing Jordon’s wrapped truck, inquired about his status as a pro fishermen. Dinner plans were made and Jordon soon met Ramos, among the who’s who of Texas movers and shakers.
Jordon was invited to a New Year’s party there with a band and dignitaries. As a pro, he was asked about fishing Texas, and so he talked up his idea.
“I told Donato I had a dream to have a tournament on Lake Fork to exhibit how awesome fishing was in Texas,” Jordon said. “Because we can’t have a normal Bassmaster event with the slot limit.”
The major bass circuits don’t schedule on Lake Fork because of a slot limit that negates fish between 16 and 21 inches long, and then anglers can only have one in their possession over 21. That’s not conducive to an enthralling event. What Jordon mapped out, something very close to what’s seen today in the TTBC, was.
“Ramos said he had a friend who would like to hear this story,” Jordon said. “If you involve Mr. Dan Friedkin, then stuff happens.”
There was a fishing trip to Lake Fork with Friedkin, the CEO of Gulf States Toyota and a TPWD commissioner who now serves as its chairman. After he learned the details of the proposition, Friedkin was all in, Jordon said.
“I met him for the first time, and he really liked the idea. He is Mr. Flag Waver for the state of Texas and brought all of his crew to bear,” Jordon said. “All the great people with Gulf States Toyota made this thing happen. They have the most amazing go-getters.”
The TTBC is celebrating its 10th year, and it provides donations to the TPWD for its youth programs. The total will climb to $2.5 million this year, and Dave Terre, chief of research and management for TPWD’s Inland Fisheries Division, said that money has doubled its efforts.
“About 100,000 people a year benefit from this program, and about 50,000 of those are new to fishing,” Terre said. “It’s providing close, convenient fishing opportunities in public parks where a lot of people live. Most of the people who fish our neighborhood lakes tell us it’s the only place they fish.”
The TPWD stocks 18 small bodies of water in 11 major metropolitan areas in the state. The lakes and ponds are stocked with catfish every two weeks in spring, summer and fall and rainbow trout are stocked in the winter. August is the only month when stocking does not occur.
Jordon is glad he could have a hand in something that is thriving and has helped so many.
“It had very humble beginnings, in the middle of nowhere south Texas and a phone call to Mr. Dan Friedkin from Mr. Ramos. [We are] the three founders, and the energy from Dan, it just made my vision come to life so much bigger than I ever expected. It would not have happened without Dan Friedkin.”
