Tom Nix. Contributed photo.

Tom Nix: 1943-2003

Fisherman, weatherman, magazine publisher dies

By David Sikes Caller-Times Outdoors Writer
October 17, 2003

Tom Nix was all about coastal fishing. And thanks to his Saltwater Angler magazine, a generation of Coastal Bend anglers held their catches for his camera and for a taste of glory.

Nix died early Thursday of a heart attack before delivering the latest edition of his popular magazine, said Saltwater Angler production manager Pam Greene, owner of P.A.M.S. Publishing in Port Aransas. He was 60.

Nix was also a longtime local television weatherman on KIII and trustee of the Corpus Christi Independent School District.

As word of Nix's death spread throughout the fishing community, local guide and columnist Ron Behnke gathered a group of friends and colleagues who made plans to deliver the 12,000-16,000 magazines that were due out Thursday and possibly to compile at least one more edition as a tribute to Nix.

"There's no telling how many fishermen and kids were inspired by the pictures in Tom's magazine," said local fishing guide Joey Farah, a friend and Saltwater Angler columnist. "Nobody promoted saltwater fishing like Tom. He was a real asset to the community and he'll be missed."

A fishing pioneer

Nix spent the last eight years publishing his magazine that featured photos of local anglers and their catches, fishing reports, angling advice and news affecting anglers. In recent years Nix began promoting the outdoors through his Tom Nix Hunting and Fishing Expos and, along with his brother Don Nix, established the Salty Angler Website. But he was most proud of pioneering catch-and-release fishing tournaments on the Texas coast, friends said.

"I think Tom's legacy will be his introduction of the live weigh-in format to saltwater fishing tournaments," said Tyler Thorsen, who covers surf fishing as a Saltwater Angler columnist. "When he began his Baffin Bash Tournaments several years ago, critics said catch-and-release trout tournaments couldn't be done. This year, there were 10 of these events for trout and redfish in Texas, Louisiana and Florida.

"Tom thoroughly enjoyed proving his critics wrong. He certainly left his mark on coastal conservation," Thorsen said.

Community contributor

Prior to Nix's latest calling, he held careers in public service and broadcasting. He served on the Corpus Christi Independent School District Board of Trustees from 1981-86 and was president of the school board from 1985-86. Nix was a KIII-TV weatherman from 1979-89 and started a syndicated saltwater fishing show after that. He served as sports director and sports anchor for KRIS-TV for a short stint in 1991. The native Houstonian, who earned a communications degree from the University of Houston, arrived in Corpus Christi in 1968 and began his broadcasting career in 1972. He worked for radio stations KEYS and KIKN and was a reporter, producer and weatherman for KRGV-TV in Weslaco.

"Texas and the fishing community has lost a real champion," said Jim Smarr, Texas state chairman of the Recreational Fishing Alliance. "He was straightforward with information that we needed to hear, whether it was popular or not, whether he agreed with it or not."

Funeral services are pending at Forest Park Cemetery in Houston.

Contact Outdoors Writer David Sikes at 886-3616 or sikesd@caller.com