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Meet Jim Austin
 A champion angler, Austin holds the record for the largest bass caught on Lake Oconee, GA, weighing in at nearly 14 pounds. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Jim remembers his first fishing trip like it was yesterday. He was only five years old when he reeled in his first bream—a thrill he will never forget. He’s been smitten with fishing ever since.
Growing up in the segregated South during the 1950s and ’60s, Austin, like other African Americans in the region, was restricted for the most part to fishing in small creeks and ponds. Undaunted by these challenges, Austin broke through the ranks to enter national fishing tournaments as a young adult. He was the first African American to successfully compete in the Red Man Tournament, where he captured 5th Place in the Bulldog Division.
Still making history, Austin is the first African American to host a television fishing series. It’s taken many years for Austin to realize his dream of having his own show. “I needed to find a way to make fishing a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone,” said Austin. “I also know first hand how hard it can be to get a shot at competing in this sport. Having tournaments featured on ‘Angler’s Paradise’ is really a plus.”
“It’s important that our viewers know that fishing is a fun, leisure activity, and it can become a career as well. It’s a very lucrative sport at the professional level. On a part-time basis, an angler has a chance to earn anywhere from $40,000 to $80,000 each year.”
In addition to being the host of “Angler’s Paradise,” Austin owns and operates several small businesses in Atlanta. He also spends as much quality time as he can with his young grandchildren.
“My plan is to take my grandchildren fishing as often as possible because it’s important to start them out when they’re young.”
“Plant those seeds early and you might raise a full-fledged professional angler.”
Jim Austin
CEO & Founder
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Meet Dan Bojo
 Home:
Northport, Alabama, (born in Akron, Ohio)
Occupation: Public Relations Director, Angler's
Paradise; PR FISHING WITH JIM AUSTIN Age: 59
Boat: 1998 Javelin 389B with 150 Yamaha HPDI
Sponsors: Angler’s Paradise, Secret Weapon Lures,
DRIFTWOOD LURES, FISHING WITH JIM AUSTIN, Rod Wrap
Tournaments: Anglers Paradise Trail, BASS
Federation, S.A.B.B.A. (Sportsmen’s Association of Black
Bass Anglers) tournaments, Westside Bass Club, open
tournaments, American Bass Anglers (ABA); FISHING WITH
JIM AUSTIN BUDDY TRAIL
Favorite Fishing Lures & techniques: Crankbait
shallow runner. Spinnerbait in trees and over and along
edge grass (now using SWL spinnerbait); Finesse worm for
spotted bass (on ledges and rock walls); Pitch sweet
beaver to docks
Personal: Wife, Pam, is office manager for Davis
Eye Clinic; married 34 years. 2 daughters: Stephanie (optomitrist)
and Monica (accountant), and grand daughter Maddie 16
months. Pets: 2 labs (Sugar & Gypsy) both rescued from
the pound.
Accomplishments: 9th place 2005 overall
ANGLERS PARADISE TRAIL; 1st Angler of year
Westside Bass Club 2005; 6th place Anglers Paradise
tournament Lake Logan Martin Sept 16&17th--2005 ; Top 10
for the year in Angler’s Paradise, 7th Place in the
Angler’s Paradise at Logan Martin Sept. 16 & 17;
PRO-STAFF DRIFTWOOD LURES; qualified for WWC BASS FAN
ARMY at PIC-WIC Lake, ABA National champiomnship
Kentucky Lake 2006; PRO-STAFF NORTHLAND TACKLE
Favorite Angler: Rick Clunn
Dan Bojo
PR, Sign-In, Weigh-In
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Meet Lee Bridwell
Lee Bridwell
Sign-In, Check-In
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Meet Orlando Harris
Home: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Occupation: Supervisor
Boat: 520 Ranger
Bass Club: Westside Bass Club
Tournaments: FISHING WITH JIM AUSTIN BUDDY TRAIL, S.A.B.B.A.
(Sportsmen’s Association of Black Bass Anglers) tournaments,
local tournaments
Favorite Fishing Lures & techniques: Jig
Favorite Lake: Logan Martin
Accomplishments: President S.A.B.B.A., Repeatedly
awarded for fishing excellence.
Duties: Weigh-In
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Meet JD Ward
JD Ward
Weigh-In
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Meet Eric McCloud(MAC)
Eric McCloud
Weight Recorder
Weign-In
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