Bob Lusk, owner of “Pond Boss Magazine” and fisheries biologist has been assisting landowners in pond construction and improvement for five decades. On October 11, he was inducted into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame before a large attendance of friends and clients at the Freshwater Fishing Center in Athens, Texas.
(Photo Courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ©2024/ Chase Fountain TPWD)

by John Jefferson

I do, too. But he has a college degree in it. And has been doing it for going on five decades now. From a fairly young age, Lusk knew he wanted to work with fish. Early seeds for that probably came from growing up fishing the nearby Brazos River in North Texas.

He enrolled in Texas A&M, the top wildlife and fisheries school in Texas, then, and well respected both nationally and internationally.

A&M has academic advisors for students. In meeting with his advisor, Lusk said he wanted to be a fisheries biologist. The advisor looked at Bob’s transcript and told him he needed to change majors. There were few jobs for people with that degree; those already in the field were still young and unlikely to retire anytime soon. He told Lusk to think about it and come back in a day or so.

When he returned, the advisor asked if he had decided anything. With that twinkle in his eyes that so many have seen, Bob smilingly said, yes; he had decided to change advisors!

That was an early manifestation of his passion for fisheries work, and his determination to succeed in it. Also, how to disagree with people without sounding hostile.

His first client was the Pinto Valle Ranch on Mines Road west of Laredo. (Ironically, that was the first ranch I photographed deer on from a helicopter.)

Another client wanted to put eight-pound bass in his pond – considered a trophy bass in those days. On Christmas Day 1987, in 22-degree temperature, he caught several eight-pounders. That illustrated his desire to properly serve his clients. That’s just one of the many stories about his insistence on doing a good job for his clients.

Bob respected members of the outdoor press, like John Thompson and Bob Hood of the Fort Worth Star Telegram. He also became friends with Mark McDonald, outdoor editor of the Dallas Times Herald.

McDonald asked Lusk if he thought there was a need for a newsletter on pond management. They agreed on such a venture and initiated the “Pond Boss” newsletter which morphed into a highly successful magazine that is still being published. McDonald started the newsletter, serving as editor for years before turning it over to Bob. It’s considered a “must” for landowners planning to construct a pond as well as for existing pond owners wanting to improve their waters.

Lusk realized early in his career that continuing doing the same things without success was a pathway to failure. He sought new ways of growing fish. It all came down to needing healthy water, a good food supply, and plenty of bluegills for the bass.

He farmed fish – bass AND bluegills – recommended improvements in ponds and justifiably earned the title of “POND BOSS” and is recognized throughout America and internationally.

On October 11, Lusk was inducted into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame for his contributions to fishing and conservation. Well deserved!

JJ