BAY MINETTE — The Baldwin County Commission honored a well-known Bay Minette man for his lifelong dedication to promoting the fishing industry along the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.
Gayland Gillikin, Sr., a U.S. Navy veteran who passed away last year, was remembered for his outstanding civic service that included promoting and advocating for fishing events.
The Commission passed a resolution recognizing Gillikin as a distinguished ambassador of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta region.
District 1 commissioner Jeb Ball, who is from Gillikin’s hometown of Bay Minette, read the resolution with the Gillikin family standing at the podium.
“Be it further resolved, that a copy of this resolution, recorded in the official minutes of this honorable county governing body and embodied as Resolution #2024-113 of the Baldwin County Commission, be conveyed to Mr. Gillikin’s family in sincere praise and as a small token of appreciation on behalf of all the citizens of Baldwin County, Alabama,” Ball said while fighting back tears.
Gillikin started the Faulkner State School of Fishing, bringing anglers in from all over to learn more about fishing. He also started fishing tournaments, including one of the largest freshwater fishing tournaments in North America, the World Champion Bowfin Tournament.
“I thank you so much for that,” Gillikin’s son, Chip Gillikin, said. “ … A lot of things that Daddy did was predating the internet so he wasn’t doing it for likes and subscribes and comments. He just wanted to provide people with knowledge about fishing and also create opportunities for others to fish.”
Ball said the tournament brought in thousands of people, not only to fish but to watch the weigh-in.
“Being a lifelong friend of Chip and his family, there were a lot of people that were spectators that came to see the weigh-in instead of fish,” Ball added. “So, this all happened right when we were going to college so we made it a point to get back home just for the tournament and the weigh-in because it was an all-weekend event.”
The resolution also dedicated the Interpretive Center at Live Oak Landing Recreational Area & RV Campground as the Gayland Gillikin Interpretive Center and approved the installation of display cases inside the center for memorabilia. The Gillikin family will donate the memorabilia.
Resolution 2024-113 - Gayland Gillikin Interpretive Center by Erica Thomas on Scribd
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
