Gary Yamamoto Is New Hall of Fame Member
By Tim Huffman
August 24, 2009
August 22, 2009, in Nashville, Tennessee, Gary Yamamoto was honored as one of the newest members of the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame. Yamamoto joins an elite group of outdoor celebrities and industry giants that includes Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, Hank Parker, Harold Knight, Brenda Valentine, Forrest L. Woods, Johnny Morris and more. 
Gary Yamamoto described to the crowd how a combination of situations like his campground, fishing and bait design has given him a life much greater than what he could have imagined as a young boy growing up. He takes great pride in his work in Japan, the success he had early in fishing, and his baits. “I’m proud of the baits. We’ve created designs and colors that work. We have high quality and you’ll not find a bad bait in any package you buy. They are made by the best and most loyal employees anywhere. I’m very honored to receive this award.”
Legends of the Outdoors founder and president, Garry Mason, says, “Gary Yamamoto is both a great American, Viet Nam veteran and he got started in bass fishing here by circumstance. He almost single-handedly created a Japanese bass fishing market by teaching them how to fish. He’s a truly great man and one deserving to be in the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame.”
Words from the Legend
What does it mean to Gary Yamamoto to be in Legend’s Hall of Fame? “Right now it’s a still a shock. If somebody had told me when I was a young man that someday I would be inducted into the hall of fame I would not have comprehended that.”
“I’ve come a long way but most people in the United States don’t know that it has taken thirty years. That’s because a lot of the early years were spent in Japan where that market has been very good for me. A series of developments have gone very good for me but to be here is a little shocking. We probably all think about being included in something special like this but you really don’t expect it.”
Favorite fishing memories? “When I was four years old I would grab a cane pole, dig some worms and that’s where it all started. Yes, I’m a bass fisherman but I grew up in Hawaii fishing a canal that went through a golf course so I would go to the golf course to fish. I learned a lot of things about baits, tidal waters and weather influences.”
“Now I bass fish but also love other species. I have a place in Louisiana where I’ve gone after tuna, caught one about 190 pounds, and red snapper. I love fishing in its entirety and can have fun catching bluegill.”
Tournament highlight? “I was 33 years old when I started bass fishing. By age 35 I had won two bass tournaments. One at Lake Powell and the prestigious US Open in Las Vegas in 1995 where I won a boat and $50,000. I’ve been in the Bassmaster Classic and the FLW Championship several times. However, I don’t fish all the time because I need to work to pay bills and taxes.”
What do you like best; fishing, lure design or your cattle? “I like it all. It’s business but it’s what I want to be doing.”
What motivates you after all these years? “I guess it’s that I don’t feel like I’m working but just doing what I love. It’s the love of what I do.”
How would you like to be remembered? “I really don’t think about that. I’m a pretty happy man and I’ve had a fulfilling life. I have touched a lot of peoples lives because they have told me so. With the life I have, that’s enough of a bonus.”
- Also, long-time Yamamoto employee, Chief George Braswell, honored.