Remembering

[*Hootie]

Just sitting here reading a Nov. Dec. 1971 issue of Bassmaster magazine, and reminiscing. I remember when I first got into bass fishing, there was no bassresource, no dedicated bass fishing magazines, just the occasional bass fishing article in one of the big three outdoor magazines. Then along came Bassmaster. I was fascinated with it. I think I got my first issue in 1969.

The bass to me just seemed so magical and mysterious. I devoured every article and every bass fishing ad in every issue. I rarely caught any, but just couldn't give up. At some point, it all came together and I began to have some measure of success. These old magazines make me wish I could do it all over. I love the old ads. Old lures that are no longer available and most of the time back then I couldn't afford most of them anyway. But it was exciting when I could round up the cash for a new lure. I now buy whatever I want,and fish with top of the line tackle, but I don't think I have more fun than I did when it was brand new to me. Sorry if this is boring but I'm just an old guy looking back and remembering my good ole days.

Hootie

[Brent Christian]

Thanks for sharing, my father in law has some old BASSMASSTER mags and they are really neat to look and read the articles, and see how far this sport has really came..

[Brent Christian]

Also like getting on YouTube and watching the old Vurgil Ward shows.!

[*Hootie]

Also like getting on YouTube and watching the old Vurgil Ward shows.!

I used to watch that show all the time. Going to have to get on YouTube and watch them again. Thanks for the tip.

Hootie

[papajoe222]

I recall one publication, FishingFacts, that was responsible for not only rekindling my interest in the sport, but it helped create the passion in me that I still have to this day.  I hung on to those early issues for years and would read them over and over.  Those magazines and Jimmy Houston are what my kids grew up with.

[WRB]

Before B.A.S.S. and Bassmaster magazine I read Outdoor Life with Robert Page and Sports Afield, Jason Lucas, both fishing editors and avid bass anglers. Both these bass anglers published good books on bass fishing, worth reading today.

B.A.S.S. Started in 1967 with the All American bass tournaments that featured blind draw partners, before that the tournaments were team events.

I became one of the early life members in '68, Bassmaster magazine was published quarterly until around '73 and still have the early issues.

A few lures are still available today, Mann's Jelly worms and Cremes Scoundrel worms for example. The pistol grip rods are gone, the Ambassduer 5000 series reels can be found. I think the interesting ads are the boats, motors, electronics and clothing of the day.

Tom

[Bankbeater]

I think what I remember best is putting suntan lotion on to keep the sun off, and coming home burnt to a crisp. 

[*Hootie]

I think what I remember best is putting suntan lotion on to keep the sun off, and coming home burnt to a crisp.

I know what you mean. It was suntan lotion, not sunscreen. I used it too. While I now do use sunscreen without fail, I am still not convinced it is

as dangerous as they say. Not trying to start a sunscreen debate here, but if that was the case, shouldn't George Hamilton IV be the poster boy for skin cancer?....Just sayin.

My 20 year old granddaughter has been treated for skin cancer, and she never spends much time in the sun, and when she does she ALWAYS uses sunscreen. I believe if something is going to get you, it will get you, like the professional runner who dropped dead of a heart attack, while jogging in central park some years ago. But again, you don't have to preach to me about using sunscreen, I do, and will continue to.

Hootie

[Ratherbfishing]

I wouldn't trade now for the times when opportunities and funds were very limited but yes, I wax nostalgic for those early days.  There were no super stores back then and what was available in my small farm community was smaller still.  The sporting good section of the 3 aisle grocery store was comprised of a rack or two with cards of lures on them such as jelly worms, mister twisters, and mepps spinners.  A Zebco 33 was as sophisticated as it was going to get (for me anyway).  There were only a few shows on then- Virgil Ward was the first I remember and bass masters was still in its infancy.  Transportation back then was an old purple one-speed bicycle.  My first "wild" game fish (one that wasn't caught out of a pay lake) was a small grass pike caught on a creme worm.  My first 15 inch bass was cause for great celebration (it still is, really).

[bigbill]

Back in them there days my ZEBCO 202 or 33 would last one season fishing freshwater and saltwater. We wore them out. I had a 5'6" stiff saltwater rod with the ZEBCO on it. Using a 1oz sinker I could empty the zebco reel when casting it. I miss those days.

We didn't have much money in them there days. We caught flounder, blue fish, snapper & harbor blues, strippers and ate them. I left out porgies and weak fish too.

[NathanW]

" I now buy whatever I want,and fish with top of the line tackle, but I don't think I have more fun than I did when it was brand new to me."

This is a great line and I agree completely.

[CDMeyer]

Makes me think of my young bass fishing life..... I always say that the day comes that I do not have the joy when I catch a bass that I did when I caught my first bass then this is not for me..... I KNOW THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN.

[Catt]

Before B.A.S.S. and Bassmaster magazine I read Outdoor Life with Robert Page and Sports Afield, Jason Lucas, both fishing editors and avid bass anglers. Both these bass anglers published good books on bass fishing, worth reading today.

B.A.S.S. Started in 1967 with the All American bass tournaments that featured blind draw partners, before that the tournaments were team events.

I became one of the early life members in '68, Bassmaster magazine was published quarterly until around '73 and still have the early issues.

A few lures are still available today, Mann's Jelly worms and Cremes Scoundrel worms for example. The pistol grip rods are gone, the Ambassduer 5000 series reels can be found. I think the interesting ads are the boats, motors, electronics and clothing of the day.

Tom

When did you get your Life Time Achievement Award?

[slainempire]

i may be a bit younger than some on this post at 33 but i have some of the same sentiments. my dad became a lifetime member back in the mid 80s and i fondly remember flipping the pages of bassmaster magazine glued to all the articles and advertisements. back before there even was an internet i did pretty much all my learning from my father and bassmaster. im glad we have all these great resources at our disposal but the magic seems to be missing.

[RoLo]

Also like getting on YouTube and watching the old Vurgil Ward shows.!

 

Virgil Ward first appeared on TV the same year I got married (1964).

That was also around the time when Gadabout Gaddis hosted "The Flying Fisherman".

I was surprised to learn that Gadabout debuted on black&white television in 1939,

and that his TV show was the second show to be sponsored (Lowell Thomas was first).

 

As a kid, one of my first reads was "Lucas On Bass". Jason was a highly intuitive angler and way ahead of his time.

The information he provided on habitat, behavior, presentation and colors is as true today

as it was in 1950. Fisherman have changed a lot, but bass not so much.

 

Roger

[*Hootie]

"Lucas on Bass", I have that book.

Hootie

[DILLY07]

This makes me feel so young! I mean my grandpa got me into bass fishing. I remembered seeing his old bassmaster magazines nearby his toilet . They were pretty neat seeing them.

[bigbill]

When I think back to the old days its watching Jerry McKinnis in the Fishing Hole TV show that took bass fishing to a whole new level.

[geo g]

Someone on the site brought up fishing with the old zebco closed face reel. 40 years ago, when I first got into the sport seriously, I would use an old zebco 20-20 for all my light weight top water lures. I would use a zebco 20-20 and a 5-6 rod all day long and could throw a light top water a country mile. I think I was a better top water guy in those days then I am now. I had a $30 set up in 1972, and today a rod and reel is over $400. I think just for laughs I'll go back to another zebco 20-20, and a short 5/6 rod and romanticize the old days, and see if it is all just fantasy. Caught a lot of fish on that old stuff and a floating rapala lure. I wonder if it will hold up today????

[slainempire]

Someone on the site brought up fishing with the old zebco closed face reel. 40 years ago, when I first got into the sport seriously, I would use an old zebco 20-20 for all my light weight top water lures. I would use a zebco 20-20 and a 5-6 rod all day long and could throw a light top water a country mile. I think I was a better top water guy in those days then I am now. I had a $30 set up in 1972, and today a rod and reel is over $400. I think just for laughs I'll go back to another zebco 20-20, and a short 5/6 rod and romanticize the old days, and see if it is all just fantasy. Caught a lot of fish on that old stuff and a floating rapala lure. I wonder if it will hold up today????

 

ha it was probably me.  i still have a zebco 20/30 on a 5'6" bass pro shops mean green stick that i use on seldom occasions, just for nostalgia.  that setup has caught me thousands of fish over the years. 

[starcraft1]

I jioned B.A.S.S. after I caught my first bass, (1968 or 1969) at the ripe old age of 13 - 14. Besides a mag. just for bass fishing, it had stories about "Billy the Bass". When I went into the Army, 1972, I had the mag. sent to me where I was staioned. Not only myself, but all in my patoon read it till the covers were worn off. I'm still a member to this day, the mags gotten smaller, the lures have gotten more $$$, the paches have also gotten smaller,and no more "Billy the Bass". Still all in all, a great mag.

As far as the lures, the mag. and my local bait shop owner, taught me how to tie jigs. Bronze hooks (back then it was all you could get), square rubber, hand poured with a hot pot and a ladle, Arkie & football were all you needed, and I almost forgot bailing wire to tie with. Things have changed a bit from then to now. I still use Creme worms, Uncle Josh's pork, and Pop - R's. I found some Hulu poppers and Jitter bugs a few months ago and bought all they had, dust and all! Had a young angler ask me if they worked? "Like a champ!". I got a funny look from him!