Clete began fishing with his dad at the age of five off work barges in Terminal Island harbor. This harbor was where the commercial fishing boats off-loaded their catch of various tuna, bonito, mackerel and sardines for the local canneries. His grandfather, father and uncles grew up in Terminal Island as commercial fishermen before and after WWII. It was clear to see what direction his future would steer.

He started “pinheading” or “deadheading” at the age of eight on the half-day boat, Estrella, at Pacific Landing. This continued for many years until other interests pulled him away from the sea. It would be many years later, and, changes of circumstance, that brought him back. “When I decided to start fishing again, I needed a change in my routine and some new equipment. I wrapped a couple of blanks just as I had done in the past and figured that some of my old gear would still work.” He was quite surprised when he started back up. “When I first went back out I certainly noticed that things had changed. But, that was not going to keep me away.”

In 1989 Mike Fowlkes was running charters on his boat, Instinct. “One day I got a phone call from my cousin, Marshall, and he asked me if I wanted to go fishing on a 6-pack with some of his friends. I thought about it a little while. I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to go. I eventually agreed to go.” That was when he met Mike. A couple of charters later on the Instinct and some good conversation during the trips, Mike found out that he and Clete grew up very similarly. Coming back from one of those charters, Mike asked Clete if he would be interested in going along on a 16-day trip on the Polaris Supreme. That’s how it all began.

“Within the last dozen years, we all have become, potentially, more efficient fisherpersons.”
Clete feels that recent technology in materials used in fishing gear, as well as advances in the electronics field, have made us all better aware of the factors that determine a successful fishing trip. “We can find them on our electronics; we can cast a bait or jig to them much further and easier; we can have the best gear money can buy, but, having all of that may not make the fish bite. That’s just the beginning.” He understands that equipment technology has dramatically changed but our perception of fishing for now and in the future must change as well.

“What we did in the past and what we do now are 180 degrees opposite.” Clete knows that catch-and-release was not even a thought back in the old days. “Conservation is something that we all have to follow for the sake of our children and the generations to come.”