jtesch Posted March 14, 2014 Posted March 14, 2014 What do you all the think is the biggest innovation in bass fishing in the last 20 years. I was a hardcore fisherman until 1996 when stupid things like a wife, kids and starting a business got in the way. I was back with a vengeance in 2005 and all the innovations I missed was mind blowing. Wacky rigs, senkos, awesome casting reels, when I got back into fishing it was like starting over. I had to learn how to fish from square one. I now have an arsenal of at least 20 high end rod and reel set ups and a garage full of lures but my question is, what is the biggest innovation in the last 20 years. My vote goes to 2 things. 1-modern casting reels and 2-the Japanese influence on American fishing. Think about how many things we use today have their roots in Japan. 1 Quote
OperationEagle Posted March 14, 2014 Posted March 14, 2014 Interesting thought...2 additional ones...improvements in and availability of affordable electronics and the emergence of the fishing kayak. Quote
EvanT123 Posted March 14, 2014 Posted March 14, 2014 Social Media? The internet? I haven't been around long enough to know the biggest innovation in fishing but like almost every other aspect of life the internet has probably had an enorumous impact on fishing. I've been fishing seriously for about 12 years and using the internet for the same or longer. Only around 2-3 years ago I thought to put them together and what a ride it's been. The positives: learning from other peoples experience and wealth of information, using gps and internet to find and mark new spots and of course all the tackle. The negatives (for me atleast) sometimes failing into the trap that you need the best of the best to catch fish and everything has to be perfect. To me you can prepare all you want but there is still some luck involved in catching that trophy fish. (See 20lb walleye thread lol dam) We all know the big brands but the internet has also provided the little guy to get there baits, rods; etc out. This has given fisherman an overwhelming opportunity to get what they need and be creative. Op mentioned in your thread the influence of japan. I'm sure before the net the japanese had an influence on fishing but the internet has probably accelerated it. Ie shimano turning to global platforms. At the same time you can find old VHS be tapes on YouTube iof japanese guys drooling over Charlie brewer so it can be relative. So yea I'd say the net but like any other tool or bait for that matter it's all in how you use it. Quote
FlipnLimits Posted March 14, 2014 Posted March 14, 2014 Great topic Electronics have come a long way in 20 years. From printer paper graphs to what looks like a color TV picture of the bottom. Bass boats and reels have nicely evolved too. FL Quote
mjseverson24 Posted March 14, 2014 Posted March 14, 2014 1) structure scan or (sidescan for you humminbird fans) 2) high definition mapping (navionics and lakemaster) 3) the availability of information anywhere anytime via the internet 4) power poles and MK Talon ( huge increase in productivity when using these ) 5) MK I-pilot ( spot lock is a structure fisherman's best friend ) 6) jj's magic and other lure dyes 7) the use of tungsten weights 8) gel batteries almost impossible to pinpoint the most innovative, here are just a few of the ones I find have greatly impacted how we fish... Mitch 2 Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted March 14, 2014 Super User Posted March 14, 2014 Adapting some saltwater techniques and lures for freshwater. A rig and drop shot come quickly to mind. Quote
john81 Posted March 14, 2014 Posted March 14, 2014 Imo best innovation in fishing have been reels getting lighter and just as strong. Also all the braided line to choose from Quote
jtesch Posted March 14, 2014 Author Posted March 14, 2014 Didn't even think about modern 8 strand braids, HUGE Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted March 14, 2014 Super User Posted March 14, 2014 Like the OP, I quit fishing for 23 years. When I got back into it I switched from spinning reels to baitcast reels. Wow! A learning experience still going on. As a youth we fished with what bait we could catch....worms, leeches, crawfish, minnows, grubs, frogs, etc. I did start using mostly lures for a few years before quitting, but they were mainly Beetle Spins and Roostertails. The myriad selection of lures and techniques used today is mind boggling for me. Only knew of mono and Dacron lines. Did buy one graphite rod before quitting. Rods are so light today. KVD Line Conditioner must be a milestone for you fluoro users. Today my boat folds up, and I throw in on a roof rack. The Internet has been a huge help to me. More information than I could ever process. Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted March 14, 2014 Super User Posted March 14, 2014 I would say the two biggest innovations would be: The advancements in sonar technology and The internet. The internet has opened up to endless amounts of information and also has made it available to us at lightning speed. A great example would be the Oakley Big Bass Tournament on Grand Lake this summer. I've used the Navionics web app and have already eliminated a ton of water. I can check current water levels, fishing reports, can contact people on bassresource.com that are from around there to learn more information. If the internet wasn't around and with me living in northern Wisconsin, I wouldn't even be aware that this tournament was happening let alone any of the other information. It's an amazing tool that we've come to take for granted these days. Quote
frogflogger Posted March 14, 2014 Posted March 14, 2014 braid, before braid frog fishing was wasted effort Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted March 14, 2014 Super User Posted March 14, 2014 braid, before braid frog fishing was wasted effort Braided line has been around a looooooooooong time. 1 Quote
frogflogger Posted March 14, 2014 Posted March 14, 2014 I should have specified spectra - I used 9 1/2 lb. braided silk tournament line on my langley's years ago and black braid on the old Bronson, but spectra and graphite rods made modern frog fishing possible. Quote
Super User .ghoti. Posted March 14, 2014 Super User Posted March 14, 2014 Electonics and communications. Nothing else even comes close. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted March 14, 2014 Super User Posted March 14, 2014 In 20 years? Has to be the multi function graph/scan/sonor/GPS units and the internet. In my lifetime, I'd say graphite rods and braided superlines. 1 Quote
mnbassman23 Posted March 14, 2014 Posted March 14, 2014 Mighty bite lure Or electronics and internet Quote
Super User Jeff H Posted March 15, 2014 Super User Posted March 15, 2014 1) structure scan or (sidescan for you humminbird fans) 2) high definition mapping (navionics and lakemaster) 3) the availability of information anywhere anytime via the internet 4) power poles and MK Talon ( huge increase in productivity when using these ) 5) MK I-pilot ( spot lock is a structure fisherman's best friend ) 6) jj's magic and other lure dyes 7) the use of tungsten weights 8) gel batteries almost impossible to pinpoint the most innovative, here are just a few of the ones I find have greatly impacted how we fish... Mitch My vote goes to #4! Buying my Talon was the best money I've spent, in probably ever! Aside from my boat of course, would be moot without the boat. Really ups your shallow game when the wind is blowing, which it often is! Quote
Super User WRB Posted March 15, 2014 Super User Posted March 15, 2014 1994-2014 Swimbaits Color sonar/GPS Tom Quote
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