The greatest era?

[Dwight Hottle]

On 11/16/2024 at 8:04 AM, Swamp Girl said:

 

Heartbreaking.

 

For me, the greatest era was Tom's prime, when bass in the upper teens were regularly caught and Dottie still swam.

 

Tom, if I buy one of your outfits, I'll want to mount it. 

This is the period for me as well regarding largemouth. But right now is the most exciting period for smallies. The first 10lb smallie out of Lake Erie, all the recent 9lb catches from New York & the big smallies from Michigan & other Great Lakes states & all the recent state records being broken & the rise of Idaho as the destination for trophy smallies. The warming water trends across the US & increased food sources are contributing to the golden age of small jaws.

[jbmaine]

The Greatest Era for me is all the days I could fish, from the past till now. Many fish, big fish days come and go, but for us anyway,  all the days just getting out and being on the water are the real blessings.

 

[F14A-B]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

I wasn't around for the era many speak of in this thread.  Well, actually I was but I was just a young kid.  So I can't really relate to it.

 

The greatest era of bass fishing (and fishing in general) for this guy was the day I bought my own boat in 2015.  Its something I had thought of and dreamed about for many years.  Generally, being able to go fishing on my own boat where I want, when I want, and how I want does not have a price tag.

 

 

Totally understand that, I felt the same way when I bought my Skeeter w 150 Yamaha on it.. that rig was an incredible boat and motor and I owned and ran it for 15 years! It is a labor of love but I’ve never owned a better motor ever. Good lookin rig ya got!

[gim]

56 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

The warming water trends across the US & increased food sources are contributing to the golden age of small jaws.

 

I agree.  We're currently in the golden era of smallmouth fishing right now, primarily because of the reasons you just stated.

 

Nothing lasts forever though.  Get it while the gettin' is good.

[F14A-B]

59 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

@gimruis: Good looking boat, truck, lawn, house, and dog. I don't think I've seen a photo of your wife, but I can't imagine her looking like this:

 

Hey I seen that creature down on Lochloosa one day 😂

[Columbia Craw]

I go back aways.  During the era mentioned We saw the advent of low profile reels, Lews Speed Spools, Shimano Bantams, the development of carbon fiber rods by Lamiglas, Fenwick and Gary Loomis.  Fishing line was on its way to much better strength, smaller diameter and some specialty lines.  The development of silicone skirts changed jigs and spinnerbaits for decades to come. Hook development went crazy and EWG designs came to the forefront. Mann’s, Zoom and Mister Twister filled my tackle box. Strike King grew like wild fire. Bass Pro Shop catalogs went from 22 pages to over 150.  BASSMASTER was growing by leaps and bounds and we saw tournaments for the first time on TV with Bob Cobb. Ray Scott was the face of professional fishing.  We admired the Hemphill gang, Roland, Rick, Dave and Dee.  Flippin went national, and TV shows opened a whole new world to regions not noted for bass fishing.  Some rookie from Georgia won  BASSMASTER event with a goofy spinnerbait that had a size 6 willow leaf blade.  Crankbait fishing went  crazy with Elias and kneel and reel. Plastic lures pushed balsa to send place. Rods grew longer and real straight handles even had triggers. Fuji guides. Pitchin with real rods that telescope.  Boats, trolling motors with over 50lbs. thrust!  Paper graphed depth finders.  The list goes on and on. What a great time.  “ Five alive!! Let’s see what they weigh.”