Pro Angler Patti Campbell, from Waxahachie, TX. lives just south of the Dallas metro area. She and Ricky have been married for 25 years. She has a step son Cory and a 4 year old grand-daughter, Chloe.

As the "tomboy” of the family, Patti grew up fishing with her dad, who was an avid bass fishermen. This meant that family vacations were spent fishing somewhere on a lake or at the coast in Matagorda Bay. “My dad gave me the passion of fishing...I loved every minute with him. My husband always tells everyone, her dad taught her to fish, but I fine tuned her. I think this was funny.”

Patti was aware women's tours existed, but never dreamed of fishing one, until a long time friend called and said, “Hey there is a new women's tour and you need to come fish it.” The tournament was the first with out her husband and on her own. Patti made up a card of things not to forget. She remembers thinking just how nervous she was. Making the cut, Patti recalls it was a “drive through weigh in...just like on TV. I was so nervous but so excited.”

Patti's most memorable moment in fishing was at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Ft. Worth with her entire family was there. “When I looked into the crowd and saw my Grandmother sitting there, waving at me, it was all I could do to keep it together.” She was 89 years old then and throughout the years she was Patti's biggest fan…she always asked me after my tournaments, “Did you win?”. I never got to tell her “Yes I won”, but she said she was always proud of me. Her grandmother passed away last October 18th Patti at the WBT Championship in Louisiana. While doing what she loved, one of the most important people in Patti's life passed away. Her family did not want to upset her during the Championship and felt like that her grandmother would not have wanted Patti to come home and miss the tournament…”she was that loving and unselfish. I miss her everyday…she will always be with me on and off the water.”

I am very excited about the future of the LBAA. I can tell you there has been a lot of heart and soul poured into getting this association off the ground. Because this tour was started by tour anglers, for tour anglers, there are no hidden agendas. I do think that the LBAA is providing a solid platform for the lady anglers and I hope the excitement continues to grow. We have the opportunity to have a voice in the future growth and promotion of this tour and I hope everyone will participate to make this tour the best it can be.

Patti's Sponsors: Angler's Select Custom Soft Baits, EcoPRO Tungsten, Buckeye Lures, Seaguar Line, GLoomis, Power-Pole, Kickerfish Bait Co. Ace in the Hole Lures, Crawclicker, and Bigfishtools.com.

If you would like to learn more about Patti Campbell, visit her website @ http://www.patticampbellfishing.com/