Tim Huffman (right) was proud to be inducted into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame by fishing legend and fellow Hall-of-Famer, Jimmy Houston.
Tim Huffman, CrappieNOW co-founder and senior writer, was inducted into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame on February 3, 2024, at the Grizzly Jig Company Show and Sale event in Caruthersville, Missouri. It’s the largest crappie fishing store in the country, where 9,000 people attended the four-day show.
Fishing legend Jimmy Houston presented the award.
Houston told the crowd, “This is a big honor. The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, is the premier organization for recognizing records and people in fresh water fishing. Tim is a new 2024 inductee.”
After detailing Huffman’s credentials, Houston added, “I’ve known Tim for many years. Outdoor writers are very dear to my heart. I never turn down an interview with media. It’s well documented that Bill Dance, Roland Martin and Jimmy Houston never won a classic, but we did win several Angler of the Year titles. I wanted to win a classic, but back then we qualified 25 fishermen and only the winner received money. My odds of getting money were not good, so I concentrated on the 30 to 40 writers and media at the classic. I worked to promote myself. The media loved it because most of the bass fishermen wouldn’t talk to them. Writers have really helped me, including Tim.
“Last night I was looking at the Hall of Fame members and reading about them. A common thread I noticed is that these famous people have one thing in common and that is to teach people how to fish. Tim shares that common thread, so I’m proud to present this 2024 Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame award to Tim Huffman.”
Huffman thanked Houston, his fishing hero, for preforming the induction.
“I chose to be inducted here because I wanted to be with crappie fishermen, my people. I’ve written for you for 36 years, so it’s important to me to include you in this induction.
“I’ve worked many years with Louie and Wade Mansfield, owners of Grizzly Jig Company. I’ve fished many years with Louie catching bluegill and crappie at Reelfoot. We’ve shot a video, written a book and completed articles together. Most photos hanging on the wall here are ones I took from trips with Louie and Wade. I’ve worked with Wade on articles, and he is featured in a chapter of my new book, Papermouth. The Mansfield family means a lot to me.
“I want to thank the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. I’m entering an organization that includes Jimmy Houston, Sam Heaton, Keith Sutton, Al and Ron Linder, and so many other greats. I’m overwhelmed to be included into this group. To me, it’s confirmation I did a few things right along the way as a writer, photographer and editor.”
HUFFMAN’S ACHIEVEMENTS
1987-Present: Magazine credits in: Outdoor Guide; MidSouth Hunting & Fishing News; North American Fisherman; Crappie USA Crappie Journal; MidWest Outdoors and others
1994-1998: Started and published Crappie 2000 Newsletter
1999-2012: Writer for Crappie World Magazine
2004-2019: Editor Bass Pro Shops Crappie Master Magazine
2011-Present: Co-founder CrappieNow Digital Magazine, editor 8 years, currently senior writer
2022: Wade Bourne Communicator of the Year Award
2023: Inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame
2024: Induction into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame
