Bassin for the Brave

Hi my name is Billy Tompkins aka BassinBilly. I am an Air Force veteran of 8 years and then as a civilian I went and supported the Army for 8 years in Iraq and Afghanistan. I understand the importance of our veterans and always look for ways to express my gratitude for their sacrifices. I will be hosting bassin for the Brave this year on Falcon Lake. The event is for US Veterans and anyone with a boat that would like to take a veteran fishing. I will be offering my units at Falcon Lake for lodging (Vets get priority) and any over flow I have a special rate worked out with some of the hotels in the area.

The dates of this event will be the November 16th, 17th and 18th.
Food will be provided on saturday. (Need a volunteer for the grill master)

Businesses if you are interested in supporting this event in anyway please feel free to contact us.

I currently have 4 boaters, but would love more. This event has always been a success for all involved.

I have asked another Veteran Lupe Lopez to assist me with the planning and coordinating of the event so don�t hesitate to reach out to him for any assistance as well.

we now 9 boaters committed
a grill master

Billy shoot me a text tomorrow. New phone don�t have your latest number.

>>>> this is a great event for our Veterans <<<<<
the fishing, the food, the stories makes for a great weekend for all
My son is flying all the way back here from Seattle Washington to fish with Billy on Falcon.
He is an ARMY vet that spent a 15 month tour in Iraq and loves to fish Falcon with Billy
Billy T is the reason I think I can fish ,,,,, he can put you on some really good fish on Falcon.

No tournament fee, no pressure �. just good hard fishing for bragging rights and the chance to thank our VETS and have a good time.
if your a VET or want to support our VETS ,,,,,, make arrangements to be in Zapata and fish Falcon Nov 16-17-18.

Billy has been pretty busy lately and has asked me to help out with this event... if you have any questions I can try and answer them to the best of my ability.... just shoot me a message.

Billy,
Thanks for doing this every year. Thanks for all teaching and fish you put me and the wife on.

@flukeman83 It sure was a blast last time we did this!!! We�ll see y�all in Zapata!!!

Lake is in good shape,,, sunshine coming back out down there,,, the fish will be hungry.

I hope you can make it Ray. Been a while !!!

Sounds like a great event Billy. Ill be out the area that weekend. But i would like to participate. So ill be offering my places for $25.00 each bed for both nights of the event for those that want to be boaters. I have 6 beds available. Payment will be trough Paypal.



You can find out more info below:

Web page--- http://falconlakelodging.wix.com/zapata

Facebook Page--- https://www.facebook.com/bassmanslodging/

That�s awesome, Raul.

Sounds like a great event.

What�s the time line of all this? I will be there for some of this at least. Maybe as a boater. I�ve been building a boat and will be testing it out this weekend. If it�s not trustworthy then I�d like to back seat if someone has room.

Billy doesn�t have a list of boaters and non boaters. Do have any type list ?

>>> we have 2 boats going down with room for 2 vets <<<<
so let's start a list on here:
Flukeman83-- 2 boats 2 vet spots

I am Viet Nam vet----have boat and trailer on lake but have confined myself to Tigre Island area, would be interested in seeing more of lake if someone can guide PLUS also carry another veteran

I'm one of the boats headed down with Flukeman. Can't wait, should be fun!

Thanks Billy for getting this going.

Billly is a first class guy! Ive been to this event before and it was an absolute blast. Met some guys that have become friends for life. Wish I could make it this year.....plan on it next year.

Skeeter17584 - boater + 1 but can fish another vet. Tackle and baits to loan. $100.00 gift card for Biggest bass caught in event.

Uscav PM sent

>>> long range weather looks beautiful <<<<

Looking great so far guys!!!! Here is a list of guys I have coming with me..... hope everyone on the list can make it..... we should have plenty of room for non boaters!!!

*Bassin For The Brave*

COMMITMENTS
Mike Lopez-Boater
*Mark Trevino-Vet/Boater
Jonathan McHazlett-Boater
David Villanueva-Boater
*Lupe Lopez-Vet/Boater
Pay Habib-Boater
Pete Arredondo-Boater

POSSIBLES
Gary Dunkle-Boater
Joe Garza-Boater
*Josh Samolsky-Vet/Boater

VETERANS�
Justin King
Nick Bientiema�
Chuck Bringham
Richard Gonzales

Please add Veteran Johnny Gross to non boater list. Is there a posted time to meet at Billy�s place on Friday evening?

>>> need more non-boater VETS for this event <<<<
if any vets want to be there early we have 2 boats that will arrive Thursday morning to fish Thursday-Friday-Saturday & Sunday

USCAV 28 -- PM sent

Hey guys still have the offer available with only one person interested. $25 Per bed for both nights for this event only. shoot me a text if you need a place to stay, 210-232-seventeen-55.

Add me to your non boater list please!

PMs sent.

Awesome, see you there!

OIF Veteran here that would like to come down if there is a seat available and a bed as well! Thanks to Billy and the team for organizing the event! I want payback on Falcon for the TTZ Championship!

C'mon down ,,,, you are the next contestant in Bassin for the Brave.
you don't even need equipment ,,,,,, we will have plenty of spare poles & tackle. Just come enjoy yourself with other vets and fishermen. we will be there Thursday thru Sunday. Send me a PM if you want to fish on Thursday. We will be at James' Falcon Tackle shop right when he opens on Thursday.

Hey guys still have 3 beds available for anyone looking.

Hey Billy I'm booked up all next week the only day off I have is Sunday. I'd be more than happy to take 2 vets fishing that day if you need me too. After my trips on Friday and Saturday I can also volunteer for anything else you need. Call me 361-562-4834

That�s an awesome offer. I don�t know how they have this planned but I think most people are leaving Sunday. I�ll be around all day if no one else wants to go. Or if someone wants some time in the morning but you want to stay out longer.

It�s all good. I�m really looking forward to this. Thanks for doing this, Billy!

Just a few days away
If you haven�t made plans to attend � do so
THANK YOU to all our VETS out there.

I'm in for a non boater spot (USAF), also i'll need a place to stay as well if there is anymore rooms available.

I would send Billy or USCav a PM on the specifics and room available. I believe Bassmans lodge still has some room available, see post on first page.

Should be fun! I know I can't wait!

well,,, it was a really GREAT time --- looking forward to the next one.

Yes, it was. Thanks, Bassinbilly for starting this and your hospitality. It was a great opportunity to meet some fellow Vets and have some fun.

Thanks to USCav28 for his time and efforts to make it a success.

And thanks to Flukeman and Nutman for letting me join you, the fishing tips, and a couple spots to look for. Give me a holler when y�all make it back down!

See y�all next year!

What a great time! Great weather it turned out to be too! Thanks Billy and Lupe for getting this organized and thanks to all the veterans and boaters that made the trip. The fishing was tough Thursday, Friday, and most of Saturday but things sure did heat up (at least for my boat) Saturday afternoon and Sunday.

I really enjoyed getting to meet and hang out with everyone and hear each story about where they were from and how they got here.

Thanks to all the men and women who serve and protect this great country. Can't wait to do it next year!


The Group!


Some of the fish brought in from Saturday for pics, Conrad on right with big fish for the weekend 7.2lb.


Conrad's 7.2lb. Should have been bigger, it had to be atleast 26". Looked like an old fish.


Conrad's 7.2lb at picture time.


Myself holding a solid one.


Conrad's 6.9lb on Sunday.


The man himself, Bassin Billy!


Lupe holding a chunk.


My Dad's boat with Brian and Tom.


Cool pic of me grinding late Sunday looking for that one last bite!


Good'ol Falcon! Love this place!

>>>> Nice pics Bud <<<<
GREAT weekend

A couple more from last weekend.