Automatic Memories

[Mobasser]

Certain baits bring automatic memories for us. It could be a certain fishing trip. Fishing with a friend, or a memorie of a good size fish caught or lost.                                                  As an example, every time I see a Beetlespin, I automatically think of Virgil Ward, and his Championship Fishing TV show.                           When I rig up a tube bait, I automatically think of Guido Hibdon, who became well known for using tube baits.           And, when I rig a plastic worm, I automatically think of Larry Nixon, because I attended a seminar he did roughly 25 yrs ago. At the end of his seminar, he held up a plastic worm and said," learn this". Are there any baits that trigger an automatic memory for you?

[flatcreek]

Purple Fliptail worm

[TOXIC]

Since this will be our 20th year going to St Clair at the end of next month, an odd phenomenon has taken place for me.  Every year it seems like one bait has excelled beyond the normal baits we throw.  Whether it be a dropshot, tube, twin tailed grub, in-line spinner, Ned, Wong rig, jerkbait, DShad, certain color crankbait or Senko, it seems that one bait will exceed all others.  Part of the excitement is waiting to see what it will be this year. 

[Tennessee Boy]

There are too many to list.  Some remind me of people,  some  remind me of lakes,  some remind me of moments in time,  some remind me of specific tournaments.  
 

There are some that I look at and think,  I remember when I used to love you but that feeling has passed. ?

[FishTank]

Not necessarily a lure but a slip bobber. When I was a kid this was like a high-tech gadget.  I would kill my dad when it came to catching big blue gill.  It made me feel like the greatest fisherman in the world. 

[the reel ess]

Mepp's Comet Mino caught everything, those little cheap inline spinners called "Shyster" that were in the local tackle shops when I was a kid, Original Mr. Twister crappie grub and knockoffs in white and chartreuse, Mann's Jelly Worm, Rebel Deep Wee R in silver/blue back.

[flatcreek]

The Fliptail got me hooked on bass fishing during childhood and still fish them today 

[Catt]

[Mike L]

For me it’s a Sluggo!

Every time I see it in my box mixed in with other stick baits I smile and remember how much I used to use them and wonder why I don’t as much anymore!

 

 

Mike

[TnRiver46]

14 minutes ago, Catt said:

Hey that’s my worm……..

[webertime]

Mister Twister Worm

Fire Tiger colored crank baits. 

[Tackleholic]

Tin Liz, Heddon Sonic, Yellow River Runt.

[jminer79]

Good old 3" Mr. Twister Chartreuse Grub......and the Heddon Sonic in Black w/white strike (Rat-L Trap now since I cant find any). Dad used to crush bass on them in the Susquehanna, he always said they were the only 2 baits you need there.....now they STAY in my kit at all times. Miss ya pops. 

[WRB]

When I was selling my tackle a few years back every lure brought back memories of bye gone days over decades of using those lures.

The reason I still use my hair jigs with pork trailers is like fishing with a friend every trip.

Tom

[Jar11591]

Rebel Pop-R immediately brings me back to when I was 12 fishing at the lock, when I had a huge smallmouth almost to the shore until my line broke. One of the large fish that still haunt me. Remember it like yesterday. I’ll never be able to look at a Pop-R without thinking of that fish. Chug Bugs also cause some nostalgia, that’s the bait I learned to topwater fish on, fishing for smallies up in the Adirondacks. 

[Dwight Hottle]

I can remember multi-species PB's by the what baits caught each one. So automatic memories is an excellent description. 

[osummerer23]

I have a few lures that I have 'retired' 

 

super spook jr - fished the same lure for 2 years, all sorts of beat up, when i was just getting in the swing of fishing for real

 

heddon torpedo prop bait - was camping at champlain and the camper next to me was all excited about me fishing, came back that night and he put this lure on my electric outlet. Caught a few smallies on it. 

 

ned rig - sounds dumb and it is, but my pb came on it. Was throwing jigs and t rigged orange craws in my first time at champlain into flooded bushes, lots of fish, got snagged and popped the line, picked up a ned and first cast 5lb 11oz largie. I thought jigs caught big fish...

[king fisher]

Jitterbug.  First top water bass, great memories, and the last time I ever had any extra cash in my pocket.

[A-Jay]

The Mud Bug has a special place in my heart ~

A-Jay

[Siebert Outdoors]

The Jitterbug.  My grandfather gave me one years and years ago.  I always think of fishing with him when the name or bait comes up or I see one.

[Fishingmickey]

Lazy Ike (Orange with black spots) and a Daredevil Midget (classic red and white striped) were two of my Dad's favorite's. A Heddon Dying Flutter (Baby bass color) caught my first truly big limit of bass.

FM

[Way north bass guy]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

The Mud Bug has a special place in my heart ~

A-Jay

Look at all that hair!?

[Woody B]

The first lure triggered memory that comes to mind is a Yellow Darter.  (Creek Chub Darter that's yellow)   My Grandfather took me to Lake James quite often when I was really young.   One trip he opened up a brand new Yellow Darter, and threw the packaging in the lake.  I told him he shouldn't throw stuff in the lake.   He "tanned my hyde" and said he "wasn't going to listen to that hippie talk".   Don't hate on my Grandfather.  Things were different back then.   I've got a Yellow Darter in my tackle box that I believe is that lure.  I won't fish with it, I don't want to lose it.  

 

When I was a teenager a brick mason, who subcontracted for my Dad took me fishing all the time.  His favorite lure was a motoroil colored Manns Jelly worm.  I think about fishing with him every time I fish with a worm.  

 

My Dad pretty much only fished a Devils Horse.  When he took me fishing I wasn't allowed to cast into an area until he had worked it with his Devils Horse.  He'd get mad when he missed one on a Devils Horse, and I'd catch it on a worm.   I think about him when I see a Devils Horse.   I caught my PB on a Devils Horse.  

[GreenPig]

Cotton Cordell 7" Redfin in Smokey Joe. I lost a true giant on that thing and it's poor factory hooks.

[NorthernBasser]

When I first started bass fishing as a youngster, I would fish this rock quarry any chance I could get. That's where I caught my first bass and where my addiction started. These 2 baits played such a huge role, so when I see them now I can't help but feel nostalgic.  

 

#7 Original Floater in chartreuse.

Don't remember the brand (Kelly's, maybe). But a pre-rigged worm in natural color.

 

 

After that, the Slug-Go and Strike King Grass Frog (this thing was amazing...at the time, at least!)