Bo Kratz is a seasoned fisherman with a rich history in the sport, dating back to his childhood in the Midwest. Born and raised in Burlington, Iowa, a small town located on the southeastern corner of the state, Kratz was introduced to fishing at a very young age by his father, a passionate fly fisherman. His early fishing experiences were centered around the Mississippi River, where he and his father would wake up early in the morning to fish for bluegill, crappie, and bass. After his father's untimely death when Kratz was just fifteen, he continued to pursue his passion for fishing, using the equipment and boats his father left behind. He maintained close friendships with his high school buddies, with whom he would often go fishing and hunting. Kratz attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, initially majoring in wildlife conservation before switching to business due to the academic demands of the former. Despite the change in his academic path, his love for fishing remained undiminished. In 1964, Kratz moved to Texas to attend Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville), bringing with him a box of freshwater lures. Despite initial skepticism from local saltwater fishermen, Kratz found that his freshwater lures worked just as well in the Laguna Madre. His move to Texas marked the beginning of his journey as a saltwater fisherman, a passion that he continues to pursue to this day.

Scope and Content Note
This interview with Bo Kratz, conducted by Jen Brown on July 15, 2022, in Corpus Christi, Texas, provides a detailed account of Kratz's life and experiences as a fisherman. The interview is part of the Baffin Bay Oral History Project. Kratz discusses his early life in Burlington, Iowa, where he was introduced to fishing by his father. He shares anecdotes about his early morning fishing trips with his father, the types of fish they would catch, and the impact of his father's death on his fishing activities. Kratz also talks about his academic journey at the University of Missouri, where he initially majored in wildlife conservation before switching to business. He discusses his move to Texas in 1964 to attend Texas A&I. Kratz also discusses the impact of severe freezes on the fish population in Baffin Bay, particularly the freezes of 1983 and 1989, which he describes as devastating. He notes that the recent freeze did not seem to be as damaging, as the bay seems to be recovering quickly. Kratz shares his thoughts on the current efforts to restore and conserve Baffin Bay, suggesting that success would involve reducing the number of guides on the water to lessen the pressure on the fish population. He also expresses his hope that younger generations will be taught to be stewards of Baffin Bay, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the bay for future generations. The interview concludes with Kratz reflecting on his life as a fisherman, describing how fishing has defined him in many ways and expressing his hope to continue wade fishing in Baffin Bay into his eighties. He also shares his belief that most fishermen should be gentlemen, a lesson he learned from his father.