2023 Inductees
Texas Saltwater Fishing Hall of FameRobert H. Byrd, Jr.
Bobby was born in Austin, Texas to Robert H. Byrd, Sr. and Scherer Byrd on December 29, 1955.
Bobby, and his brothers Tommy and Billy, began their fishing experiences on their grandfather’s boats, along-side their storied father Bob, Sr. (already in the Texas Saltwater Fishing Hall of Fame) in the 1960’s. The Byrd family fished out of Bridge Harbor Marina in Surfside. Marlin fishing soon brought the Byrd family together with the Brights, another storied Texas fishing family, including Joe Bright and his sons Randy (already in the Texas Saltwater Fishing Hall of Fame) and Jody. In the 1970s, Bobby’s home port became Port O’Connor, Texas and fishing became his way of life. Bobby and his brothers were onboard The Cajun Playboy in 1992 when Bob Sr caught his last Marlin.
Capt. John H. Cochrane, III
1955 -2022
John had a long and illustrious history at the helm and in the cockpit of sport fishing boats all over the globe. In addition to fishing the Texas coast, John fished out of ports in Louisiana, Florida, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Australia, Belize, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Jamaica, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cape Verde Islands, Costa Rica, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Cabo San Lucas, Mag Bay, Revillagigedo Islands, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Zihuatanejo.
John served as captain of numerous boats, including the “Horizons” (owned by Don Tyson), a 72’ sport fisherman (owned by Bill Lyons), the 37’ Merritt “Billy B” (owned by Bill Lyons), a 46’ Merritt “Billy B” (owned by Bill Lyons), a 52’ Cabo (owned by James Flores) and a 58’ Merritt “La Belle” (owned by Steven Rhyne) and 3 different boats owned by Ed Bass.
Hal Tompkins
Like many of us, Hal Tompkins began fishing offshore of Texas with a friend. That was back in 1979. It was not long before Hal bought his own 31’ Bertram, “Mahalo,” which over the years was followed by “Segunda” and then “Seventh Heaven.”
Hal’s Texas saltwater fishing reknown is anchored by having won the prestigious Poco Bueno Tournament twice, once in 1989 and again in 1995. However, many other tournament accomplishments populate Hal’s careers, including awards of various kinds at TIFT (1986), TCBT (1987), TWAT (1987) and the Masters Tournament (1988).
Nathan Watson
Nathan Watson’s interest in saltwater fishing began in his childhood with his love of the fishing boats he saw and rode on in Galveston and his family summers in Port Aransas fishing the jetties and taking offshore trips to fish for kingfish.
At the age of 28, Nathan bought his first offshore fishing boat, a 38’ Egg Harbor. It didn’t take long before he realized he needed a larger boat to accommodate his three young boys. He soon moved up to a 45’ Hatteras, which he named “Three Suns” and docked Port Aransas, Texas. Port Aransas is where he met many great friends and fellow offshore fishermen who shared his love to prank each other during fishing tournaments.