Tim Tucker

Tim Tucker (1957 – 2007)— During his 25-year career as an outdoor writer, Tim Tucker was easily one of the most prolific, influential and widely published journalists in the fishing world.

A senior writer for Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times magazines from the early 1980s, Tucker’s articles and photos were included in almost every issue of both publications. He also was published in Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, In-Fisherman and a host of other publications. He wrote syndicated outdoor columns for 33 newspapers, published a bimonthly newsletter on the business of bass fishing and co-hosted a radio program with angler and industry insider Gary Giudice for many years.

Tucker had a passion for writing that began in high school, when he won the Quill & Scroll national writing award for students. That was the first of more than 100 awards he received for his writing and photography over the years.

He got a job as a copy boy for his hometown newspaper, The Palm Beach Post, and worked his way up to outdoor writer. In that role, he developed a relationship with Roland Martin, the nine-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year who lived and worked at Clewiston, Florida, on Lake Okeechobee, an easy drive from West Palm Beach.

With Martin vouching for him, Tucker launched his freelance writing career.

“Once he got started, he really got rolling,” said Martin. “He came along at the perfect time for me at the pinnacle of my success. He chronicled all that.”

Tucker focused the first of his eight books on his friend: Roland Martin’s 101 Bass-Catching Secrets. Other successful titles include, Bill Dance on Largemouth Bass, Bill Dance on Crappie Fishing, Advanced Shiner Fishing Techniques, Diary of a Bass Pro: A Year on the Inside of Fishing’s Fast Track with Joe Thomas, Advanced Shiner Fishing Techniques, Secrets of America’s Best Bass Pros and More Secrets of America’s Best Bass Pros.

For two decades, Tucker attended as many professional tournaments on the B.A.S.S. circuit as he could, including those he was not assigned to cover. He valued the events as treasure troves of ideas and inspiration that would help weekend anglers catch more bass.

His articles helped launch the careers of several of the sport’s most successful pro anglers. He mentored several of them on how to build a career around fishing, and he led seminars for pros to teach them how to acquire, serve and keep sponsors.

Tucker was dedicated to the craft of journalism. He was an active member and a past president of the Southeastern Outdoor Writers Association (SEOPA), and he regularly helped other journalists make their way in covering the sport.

Tucker died in an automobile accident in Gainesville, Florida, in July 2007. He was 50 years old. Among the many eulogies from his friends in the sport and industry of bass fishing, pro angler Bernie Schultz of Gainesville captured the essence of his impact on bass fishing. “There will never be another Tim Tucker,” he said. “He helped shape the sport.”

Tucker was posthumously awarded the B.A.S.S. Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2008 Bassmaster Classic in Greenville, S.C. The award was accepted by his wife, Darlene, and their twin children, Rachel and Kyle.