Famous fisherman who inspired you 2024

Mobasser reply :

Who were some of your early heroes? Guys who you admired most? Mine are Billy Westmoreland and fellow Missourian Guido Hibdon.When I started out I read all I could find on these guys. Both had an easy going down home style I could relate to. Who are some of your early favorites?

Mobasser reply :

frogflogger reply :

Chuck Woods, Ray Fincke, Rick Clunn, Guido Hibdon

scaleface reply :

Virgil Ward was the earliest . I watched his show whenever I could .

DogBone_384 reply :

Bill Dance. It was the only fishing show on up here in the north that I knew of.

desmobob reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 4:39 AM, scaleface said:

Virgil Ward was the earliest . I watched his show whenever I could .

"Gone fishin' instead of just a-wishin'"

And in the pre-cable days, Curt Gowdy did some fishing segments on Wide World of Sports once in a while. We were starved for fishing shows back then...

Tight lines,

Bob

jbmaine reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 4:45 AM, desmobob said:

+1

"Gone fishin' instead of just a-wishin'"

And in the pre-cable days, Curt Gowdy did some fishing segments on Wide World of Sports once in a while. We were starved for fishing shows back then...

Tight lines,

Bob

Maybe you mean American Sportsman? Either way it brings back a lot of memories.

scaleface reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 4:45 AM, desmobob said:

Curt Gowdy did some fishing segments on Wide World of Sports

I forgot all about that .

Scott F reply :

My early hero wasn't famous. My dad was my inspiration. He's been gone a long time and I've lived my life trying to make sure he was always proud of me.

desmobob reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 4:49 AM, jbmaine said:

Maybe you mean American Sportsman? Either way it brings back a lot of memories.

You are correct. I always think of WWoS when I think of Gowdy, but the fishing segments were on American Sportsman.

Later on, I really liked the In-Fisherman TV shows, too. I still like to watch and read the stuff the Lindners and their gang produce.

Tight lines,

Bob

2tall79 reply :

The duo of Homer Circle and Glenn Lau. OK, Glenn Lau wasn't exactly a fisherman, but his videos sure inspired me.

Catt reply :

Here's mine

1965: Spend the entire summer working on my uncle's charter fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico and learned how to locate deep water structure.

1972: Started bass fishing seriously on Toledo Bend at my father-in-law's camp on White's Point in the mouth of Lowe's Creek.

1974: Joined two bass clubs whose members included John Torian, John Hall, John Dean, Villis P "Bo" Dowden SR, Harold Allen, Larry Nixon, Tommy Martin, & Zell Roland all guides at Toledo Bend's Pendleton Harbor Marina. Ray Scott would latter come up with the "The Hemphill Gang" moniker arguably the most successful group of professional bass anglers to ever emerge from one small region of the nation.

1976: Attended a seminar in Houston Texas that totally changed my outlook on bass fishing. The man putting on that seminar was Elwood L. " Buck" Perry, not only did I buy his books but I became a devout student of his teachings. I took what Buck taught about deep structure fishing and applied it to Toledo Bend. Not only did the quantity of bass I caught go up but so did quality.

Ratherbfishing reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 4:39 AM, scaleface said:

Virgil Ward was the earliest . I watched his show whenever I could .

In my formative years (for fishing, anyway), Virgil was THE man. I loved it at the end of the program when he swam a jig or worm (or whatever) in his aquarium.

Dwight Hottle reply :

My two angler inspirations were Al Linder & Billy Westmoreland. Al is a master angler for multi species through out the US & Canada. Billy was picked because of his smallie dominance.

Bruce424 reply :

Definitely Hank parker and bill dance.

NHBull reply :

My uncle Eddy who passed a couple weeks ago.

we were inseparable since 1965

Dorado reply :

Larry Dahlberg. His DVD series, 'Hunt for Big Fish', inspired me to want to fish internationally and to dream big. His adventures around the globe gives me daily motivation to work hard in my career to set me up for that freedom when I'm older. Taking care of my family is #1 daily motivation, but what I just mentioned is right behind!

He has answered fishing-related questions directly for me in the past and is one of the most humble anglers around. Not only a skilled fishing tackle developer, but extremely versatile with a fly rod and bait-caster. The Whopper Plopper really made him famous, but I was an avid fan years before he went mainstream.

jbmaine reply :

Anyone remember Gadabout Gaddis?

Mobasser reply :

Catt, you were surrounded by some of the best!

Mobasser reply :

Thanks for all these answers guys. Brings back memories for me. I got to meet Guido at the kc sportshow years ago. When I asked him about his finesse fishing he was quick to give credit to other people first. He chuckled and said " son we been fishing this way for a long time" its nothing new.

Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 5:27 AM, Bruce424 said:

Definitely Hank parker and bill dance.

This ^^^^ and also the funny guy Jimmy Houston.

scaleface reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 5:45 AM, jbmaine said:

Anyone remember Gadabout Gaddis?

Never heard of him . So I googled it .

crypt reply :

first, my dad who got me started with this obsession.Then Bill Dance,Jimmy Houston and Rick Clunn.watched him win the Classic on Toho when I was a kid.

jbmaine reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 5:32 AM, Dorado said:

Larry Dahlberg. His DVD series, 'Hunt for Big Fish', inspired me to want to fish internationally and to dream big. His adventures around the globe gives me daily motivation to work hard in my career to set me up for that freedom when I'm older. Taking care of my family is #1 daily motivation, but what I just mentioned is right behind!

He has answered fishing-related questions directly for me in the past and is one of the most humble anglers around. Not only a skilled fishing tackle developer, but extremely versatile with a fly rod and bait-caster. The Whopper Plopper really made him famous, but I was an avid fan years before he went mainstream.

When I fly fished for bass the Dahlberg diver was my go to.

Deeare reply :

My dad is #1!! Tv wise Jerry mckinnis. I watched bill dance also but that guy is a sellout. He would put his name on a piece of **** and try to sell it to you.

bobbyg reply :

Famous. . . Bill Dance. Still where a Tennessee Vols hat fishing a lot of the time because of him. But in my life, my Grandpa and my dad taught my how and had the biggest influence on me. My grandma, however, provided the biggest inspiration for me to bass fish. When I was 10 she caught a 12 lb 13 Oz largemouth that hangs in my parents house now. Biggest bass I have ever seen that I knew who caught it!! Been trying to catch a bigger one ever since!

Bankbeater reply :

I remember sitting on the couch on Sunday with my dad watching Virgil Ward on TV.

greentrout reply :

LARRY NIXON, GUIDO HIBDON, JIMMY HOUSTON, BABE WINKELMAN, MARK DAVIS & GEORGE COCHRAN...

ROLAND MARTIN

D.W. Verts reply :

Gete Hibdon was my friend, mentor and my HERO. I'll miss him BAD.

Turkey sandwich reply :

Lefty Kreh passed away this week, and I feel like it's impossible to have an influence/inspiration thread without mentioning him. Not everyone on here is big on fly fishing, but Lefty did more to grow fly fishing and conservation in both freshwater and the salt than almost anyone.

Also, even into his 90's, his casting instruction remained awesome and incredibly matter-of-fact. Listening to him catch people off guard by cursing like a sailor as a tiny old dude is also pretty hilarious.

The Bassman reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 5:05 AM, 2tall79 said:

The duo of Homer Circle and Glenn Lau. OK, Glenn Lau wasn't exactly a fisherman, but his videos sure inspired me.

Homer Circle had a campy wit that's never been duplicated. I always liked his reference that "the fish knew but weren't talking."

burrows reply :

Hank Parker, Bill dance

Scarborough817 reply :

i have always been inspired by bob izumi

and once i got back into fishing dave mercer

2tall79 reply :

I met Rick Clunn, Dee Thomas, and Dave Gliebe waaaaaaay back in the day at a seminar in Seattle. They definitely led to my flippin' obsession.

volzfan59 reply :

Billy Westmoreland, Rick Clunn and Bill Dance. I say Bill Dance as I can remember watching his show growing up and getting interested in fishing. Super nice guy too. Like him or not, he's done a lot for our sport.

Catt reply :

I was reminded to add

I fished a dozen tournaments with Lonnie Stanley, Terry Oldham, Jerry Dean, Shaw Grigsby, Ken Cook, Todd Faircloth, Bob Sealy, Ron/Rick Pierce, & Darren "Mad Man" Mooneyham.

On a few occasions I met Gary Yamamoto, Ben Matsubu, & Takahiro Omori at the cafes and boat launches around Toledo Bend and Rayburn.

What y'all will find is these guys are easy to approach & love to talk fishing as much as we do. Ben Matsubu & I talked for over an hour at the 6-Mile boat ramp. We even took a ride in his Legend bass boat!

Mobasser reply :

That's awesome Cat!

LadiMopar reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 5:45 AM, jbmaine said:

Anyone remember Gadabout Gaddis?

Showing my age with this, but yes I do. Watched him with my dad.

Like others here Bill Dance, Hank Parker, Roland Martin, but the guy who still inspires is the Legendary Rick Clunn.

On the not at all famous side is of course my Dad, and my grandfather who passed when I was 6. Not many true memories of him, but plenty of Fishing stories from my dad who fished with him all the time. Keep a picture of him in my tackle box for luck.

burrows reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 10:58 PM, LadiMopar said:

but the guy who still inspires is the Legendary Rick Clunn.

Agreed

LadiMopar reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 9:48 PM, 2tall79 said:

I met Rick Clunn,

I think, no wait, as unbecoming as this is.... I know I'm jealous. ????

2tall79 reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 11:16 PM, LadiMopar said:

I think, no wait, as unbecoming as this is.... I know I'm jealous. ????

This was back in the late '70's. I think he'd won his first classic and nobody really knew much about him.........yet.

geo g reply :

I always enjoyed shows that not only taught you something but entertained you. I always enjoyed Hank Parker early shows. Shaw Grigsby, Jimmy Huston, and early Roland Martin before all the constant product pushing. These guys were just funny as well as great fisherman. The early shows were so much better then the recent stuff.

WRB reply :

My early bass fishing era we didn’t have TV so magazines, books and local bass anglers influenced me.

Jason Lucas, Sports Afield, was my favorite.

Red, a local bass angler, taught me how to use bait casting reel and a top water spoon (#3 Hawaiian wiggler) that got me started bass fishing at age 12.

The biggest influence on bass fishing for me was my 1st Lowrance flasher in 1960 that allowed me to find bass on structure away from shore.

Tom

LadiMopar reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 11:32 PM, 2tall79 said:

This was back in the late '70's. I think he'd won his first classic and nobody really knew much about him.........yet.

He won his first classic in 1976, and published his book in 1978...trying to decide on which version I want on the bookcase; hardbound or paperback. They are out of print now but have a line on them at amazon. Either way probably as close as I will ever get to "meeting" the man himself.

Crestliner2008 reply :

I grew up studying the writings of Buck Perry, Al & Ron Lindner, Bill Binkleman and Doug Hannon.

Dwight Hottle reply :

On 3/18/2018 at 10:53 PM, Crestliner2008 said:

I grew up studying the writings of Buck Perry, Al & Ron Lindner, Bill Binkleman and Doug Hannon.

We used to buy Binkleman's jigs from him.

Crestliner2008 reply :

On 3/18/2018 at 11:03 PM, Dwight Hottle said:

We used to buy Binkleman's jigs from him.

I've still got a box of those Binkleman's jigs, along with all of his "Blue Book" series on catching bass & walleye. A great man, highly underrated and way ahead of his time. He was a co-founder of the In'Fisherman, along with Al & Ron.

Gundog reply :

I've told the story in other posts but Hank Parker's tv show taught me how to use a baitcaster without getting massive backlashes. Between him and Bill Dance I learned a lot about bass fishing.

N Florida Mike reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 4:50 AM, Scott F said:

My early hero wasn't famous. My dad was my inspiration. He's been gone a long time and I've lived my life trying to make sure he was always proud of me.

Same here.

Other than my dad, I was a Dance and Martin fan mostly, and later on , Hank Parker.

There were a couple locals that I also followed : Bob Mcnally, a writer , and Monroe Campbell, who lived in my area and had his own local show. Knew them both , and they were down to earth guys who would spend time talking outdoors with you.

Sergio Villagomez reply :

Bill Dance and Gary Yamamoto

KDW96 reply :

My dad first, Denny Brauer, Rick Clunn

Brad in Texas reply :

I'd likely list Jimmy Houston as my top TV fishing personality inspiration. He's a fine angler, for certain, doesn't have a big tournament record that approaches, say, Roland Martin or Bill Dance (not many do), but he is one heck of a good teacher and that is a special skill in and of itself. And, like the other two I've named, he is funny and very personable. If you watch Houston's shows you will note that he boils things down to the essentials in a very clear manner.

From the anglers with great competitive records side of things, Rick Clunn is very insightful as is Aaron Martens who is a real student of the sport and he is constantly sharing his "latest" ideas and refinements.

Brad

whitwolf reply :

My daddy introduced me to the sport. He was a meat fisherman and never understood catch and release. That said he taught me the basics and mechanics of fishing, fish identification, how-to clean and fry fish, and a healthy appreciation for the great outdoors.

I would also add the community in general had a great influence on my fishing. I grew up in the rural South and at that time you could ride your bike to numerous fishing spots and there was never a worry about your safety. That community looked out for everyone. There was never a time when l didn't know that if I needed anything on these adventures the nearest house would kindly oblige. And they knew the reverse was true. It was a tremendous time and an outstanding place to grow up.

There were many that would gladly take any fish you took to them and were always more than happy to share their fishing knowledge and on occasion a bait. My daddy and those folks laid the foundation for me to be the fisherman I am today.

Munkin reply :

Grew up watching BassMasters on TNN and the Fishing Hole. While I disliked how many times Mcinnis said "Many" on his show it was still good. Jimmy Houston with his spinnerbaits and Rick Clunn were my favorites overall to watch. I must of spent every dime I had as a young teenager on Strike King spinnerbaits and Poes RC baits because they worked on the shows I watched.

Allen

the reel ess reply :

BD, Roland, Jimmy. Among active pros (I know Jimmy still competes too) Rick Clunn still inspires me. He's such a student of the game, so to speak. He's no spring chicken and he says he's managed to stay competitive by using his mind and always being open to new ideas and techniques. He's definitely one smart cookie.

I've really enjoyed following Takahiro Omori's carreer as well. The first I remember hearing about him was in a documentary about the sport. He had requested through an interpreter to spend some days in the boat with Clunn. They met and Omori went with Clunn in the boat and he only observed. He didn't even bring a rod. RC said it was really odd being watched like that all day. But the two became good friends.

On 3/20/2018 at 6:09 AM, whitwolf said:

My daddy introduced me to the sport. He was a meat fisherman and never understood catch and release. That said he taught me the basics and mechanics of fishing, fish identification, how-to clean and fry fish, and a healthy appreciation for the great outdoors.

I would also add the community in general had a great influence on my fishing. I grew up in the rural South and at that time you could ride your bike to numerous fishing spots and there was never a worry about your safety. That community looked out for everyone. There was never a time when l didn't know that if I needed anything on these adventures the nearest house would kindly oblige. And they knew the reverse was true. It was a tremendous time and an outstanding place to grow up.

There were many that would gladly take any fish you took to them and were always more than happy to share their fishing knowledge and on occasion a bait. My daddy and those folks laid the foundation for me to be the fisherman I am today.

I grew up in a similar place (not far from you). And my dad also had no use for catch and release. He had this idea that if you didn't eat the fish, it really was never caught. LOL. You don't get to choose where you're born and grow up. But looking back on my early life, I would not have chosen anything different.

BCline reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 4:44 AM, DogBone_384 said:

Bill Dance. It was the only fishing show on up here in the north that I knew of.

Bill Dance was mine as well. Now that I am older with a family of my own I realize that his famous tagline may have been slightly errant. He should have signed off every show with "Do the fish a favor and take a kid fishing"

DogBone_384 reply :

Glenn took care of that.

Mr.Gump reply :

I love Scott Martin YouTube videos. He inspires me a lot tbh.

J.Vincent reply :

Saint Peter, Bryan Kerchal, Rick Clunn, Mike Iaconelli, KVD, Jordan Lee and Al Linder

Rpratt reply :

The early days was Bill Dance, Hank Parker, Rick Clunn and Roland Martin. I highly suggest even if you read it years ago, to read Roland Martin's 101 Bass Catching Secrets from I think 1980. I am rereading it now after all these years and it's an eye opener on how they fished then, and how relavant things still are today.

Always been a fan of KVD but I am kind of drawn also to how people teach and how genuine seems to be. Case in point someone like Shaw Grigsby who just oozes genuine excitement after all these years about what he does for a living. It comes across loud and clear that this sport is fun, sometimes extremely frustrating but worth my time, and that I want to pass this on to my kids nephews, nieces friends etc with the same fervor as he does

EGbassing reply :

Scott Martin, KVD, and Gary Klein.

Hez reply :

On 3/23/2018 at 7:19 AM, Rpratt said:

I highly suggest even if you read it years ago, to read Roland Martin's 101 Bass Catching Secrets from I think 1980. I am rereading it now after all these years and it's an eye opener on how they fished then, and how relavant things still are today.

I have that book...but in the beginning of it...Roland makes a statement about Buck Perry and Spoonplugging and how it is non-sense.

Did not agree with that part from Roland and have not picked the book back up since.

J Francho reply :

There's been a few.

My Grandpa

My Dad

The guy in a bass boat who was nice enough to explain a Texas rig worm to me, and give me some hooks, weights, and Culprit worms as he passed by our dock

The Hibdons

Denny Brauer

Larry Nixon

bish0p reply :

Ernest Hemingway and Gary Loomis.

toni63 reply :

All of them. Some I don't personally care much for (Ish, Ike to name two) but I still listen to what they say when they pass on tips and advice and watching them be successful doing it gets me itching to go fishing. Regardless of personality, you don't get to that level without knowing a thing or two because you've done a thing or two.

scaleface reply :

On 3/22/2018 at 4:42 AM, Active_Outdoors said:

Bryan Kerchal

Heck yeah . He wasnt just happy to be there , he wanted to win .

shovelmouth83 reply :

Hank Parker was one that really took me in.

slonezp reply :

Early inspirations were family. Growing up there was 1 tv in the house and about all I can remember is watching Fred Bear bow hunting before World of Disney came on the tv. Later on we had the Lindners, Babe Winkleman, and Midwest Outdoors. Babe Winkleman was the first pro I ever shook hands with and all I can remember is how tall he was. Can't really say I've been inspired by any pros, just being inspired by the sport itself.

Shadowfoot reply :

My Dad, my Grandmother,

and Bill Dance have all been huge influences.

greentrout reply :

Many many years ago I received for a Christmas a book by Babe Winkleman on how to catch Large & Small mouth bass.

He devoted an entire chapter to Pattern Fishing How To. The best I've ever read.

In my mind to this day....

ZebcoZak reply :

Without a doubt for me it was Babe Winkleman. I was given the VHS series of his "Good Fishing" show when I was about 12 and I watched them all pretty much non stop for several years. To this day my brother and I will joke when we say good bye and act like we have a cup of coffee in our hand and say "hey, good fishin'"

DINK WHISPERER reply :

Bill Dance, Roland Martin and Al Lidner.

scaleface reply :

Tom Mann is the only celebrity fisherman I ever met . He Emceed a tourney I was in and won . Bad part is I am an avid Jelly Worm user but that tourney I used a lizard from another manufacturer .I should have used the Jelly worm . He might have rewarded me with a bunch .

Senko lover reply :

I don't remember how long ago I joined BR, but in terms of maturity and when I started fishing, I more or less grew up on these forums. Between YouTube and the members on here, my fishing heroes include people like Scott Martin, AJay, Deep, Catt, Buzzed Bait, Bluebasser, the list could go on.

I got to meet Scott Martin a couple years ago. He's a pretty cool guy. And everyone on here has taught me a ton about the sport. One of the coolest things about bass fishing is the way that people pass it on to the next generation .

A-Jay reply :

On 3/27/2018 at 10:39 PM, Senko lover said:

I don't remember how long ago I joined BR, but in terms of maturity and when I started fishing, I more or less grew up on these forums. Between YouTube and the members on here, my fishing heroes include people like Gene Jenson, Scott Martin, AJay, Deep, Catt, Buzzed Bait, Bluebasser, the list could go on.

I got to meet Scott Martin a couple years ago. He's a pretty cool guy. And everyone on here has taught me a ton about the sport. One of the coolest things about bass fishing is the way that people pass it on to the next generation .

@Senko lover ~ September 29, 2014.

You reap what you sow my friend.

A-Jay

Columbia Craw reply :

Being from the Pacific NW, the guys who inspired me will be no names to you nut they are: Andy Maxon, Jim Conway, Jim Teeney SR and Junior, Larry Schoenborn, and Stan Fagerstrom. Outside of the region, Dee Thomas, Dave Gliebe, Greg Hines, Mike Folkstad, Gary Dobyns, Rich Tauber. Nationally I was and still am in awe of the Hemphill gang. That to me was the heart and soul of what competitive bass fishing has come to. David Wharton amazed me too.

Catt was exposed to legends in the making on a body of water I will never likely see. What a blessing Catt !

Darren. reply :

Uncle Homer was a guy I learned from. RIP.

https://www.igfa.org/Museum/HOF-Circle.aspx

Derek black reply :

It's gotta be ike

bigbill reply :

My older brother who took me fishing when I was just six years old in 1956 in the pouring rain.

on tv it’s gadabout Gaddis, Jerry McKinnis, Bill Dance, Lindy brothers, Hank Parker, Jimmy Houston, etc.

On 3/24/2018 at 4:06 AM, Hez said:

I have that book...but in the beginning of it...Roland makes a statement about Buck Perry and Spoonplugging and how it is non-sense.

Did not agree with that part from Roland and have not picked the book back up since.

Nonesence? Ever see Roland’s helicopter lure I have some still new in the package.

Hez reply :

On 3/29/2018 at 9:31 AM, bigbill said:

Ever see Roland’s helicopter lure I have some still new in the package.

That good huh?

thinkingredneck reply :

My Dad and Grandfather. My Dad didn't care to fish, but took me, anyway. Bill Dance. Homer Circle. Got really serious first with Trout. Was fortunate enough to meet AK Best, Geirach, Mike Clark and Ed Engle. First people I ever met who were dedicated totally, to fishing. Also Brian Silvey (guide) and Mark Nobles and Bob in Pacidic NW. Charlie Craven taught my first tying class. Spencer at the Church Mouse in Fairhope AL taught me about saltwater. That Jimmy Grace got me going on plastics for Bass when I moved back South.

All about da bass reply :

John Cox, Jacob wheeler, Cliff Pace.

JT Bagwell reply :

Hank Parker was always my guy. He turned Pro the year I was born and he was always my favorite.

When I was a kid we didn't have cable so a guy my grandpa worked with would always put each new episode

of Hank's show and the Bassmasters show on a VHS tape and send it home for me every week. It was pretty cool.

Years later I ended up getting to work with Hank on some stuff and it was pretty cool. I will never forget the very first time he called my house and I was a little star struck for a minute.

Fishing Rhino reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 5:45 AM, jbmaine said:

Anyone remember Gadabout Gaddis?

Gadabout Gaddis, the flying fisherman.

Here's a little bit about him.

"Roscoe Vernon Gaddis (January 28, 1896 – October 21, 1986), known professionally as Gadabout Gaddis, was a 20th-century American fisherman and television pioneer.^[1] Gaddis was born in Mattoon, Illinois and was nicknamed Gadabout by a boss who said he could never find him.^[2]

Gaddis, an avid fisherman since his youth in Illinois,^[3] was also a pilot and adventurer. He began his career in the early days of television by showing his home movies of his fishing expeditions.^[4] In 1939 he briefly hosted a program about fishing on General Electric's experimental TV station W2XAD in Schenectady, New York.^[2] When W2XAD became WRGB in the mid-1940s, Gaddis returned to the station to host Outdoors with Liberty Mutual, which was only the second sponsored television show (Lowell Thomas's being the first).^[2] The show was eventually carried on 73 stations. Going Places with Gadabout Gaddis in the 1950s was less successful,^[5] but beginning in the early 1960s Gaddis starred in The Flying Fisherman, also sponsored by Liberty Mutual."

NittyGrittyBoy reply :

I've always followed Shaw Grigsby, always rooting for him in the Elite Series!

One more cast, with Shaw Grigsby!!

SJex reply :

Al Lindner

EastNcBassin reply :

Scott Martin, Mike, Bill Dance, Martin Sr and KVD just to name a few

Landin' Lunkers reply :

For me, it's got to be Mark Zona. Watching him inspires me to have more fun on the water and not to take things so seriously.

DougHall_NY reply :

It all started with my dad and my grandpa. Countless memories.

From there, it was Bill Dance, Hank Parker and Roland Martin. I will never forget how excited I was as a kid to watch them.

BassThumb reply :

Al and Jim Lindner and the InFisherman crew.

basseditor reply :

There was a guy named Ray Johnson who was catching 20-30# brown trout in Flaming Gorge Reservoir in the ‘70s. I spent time with him on Flaming Gorge. Personality aside, I saw that quality rods were the key to feeling bites. (We were casting marabou jigs.) He was using a Browning Boron rod. That started my obsession for fishing rods. It changed my fishing forever.

Second, I fished with Bobby Garland, the inventor of the Gitzit (tubes) at Lake Powell. I’ve used Gitzits to catch giant fish since then.

Bermise reply :

Jimmy Houston

Koz reply :

Captain Ahab.

That elusive double digit bass is my white whale.

grampa1114 reply :

How bad am I dating myself if I say The Flying Fisherman Gadabout Gaddis.

All about da bass reply :

Scott Martin, Casey Ashley, Justin Lucas, Otte Defoe, and Jason Christie.

cgolf reply :

Mine are the Lindners, because my magazine and books of choice early on were infisherman.

While I didn’t read his slider fishing book till recently, Charlie brewers slider heads changed the way I fished. Until I tried his jigs around 20 years ago I had never Texas rigged a bait. I still use his spider jigs today. Probably had the biggest influence on my growth as a fisherman.

bigbill reply :

First there was “Gad About Gaddis” the flying fisherman with his float air plane from Maine. On Sunday nite before Disney I believe. Soon after it was Jerry McKinnis he started the bassmasters soon after. But his earlier shows with his home made boats were awesome. I was glued to the TV set as a kid. Then soon after is was Bill Dance, Hank Parker, Jimmy Houston, the Linder boys at InFisherman ect. But watching and learning from these guys raised the level of my fishing along with Glenn with this site. When we put it all together it works, watch the tv shows and videos but watch what they do as they talk. Watch the movement of their rod too.

do polarized glasses work? Dumb question.

i was watching bill dance fly fishing for bass. The cameraman was off to the side of his casting. Behind his fly I could see the bass making short strikes. Bill couldn’t see it but the camera picked up on it. I went out wearing polarized glasses and sure enough watching behind my shallow running and topwater baits I seen the short strikes, next to figure out what was I doing wrong. My point is we can learn a lot from the pro fisherman. Even today I watch a fishing show when I’m looking.

On 3/29/2018 at 7:24 PM, Hez said:

That good huh?

They were on clearance for $.99 I think there in my fishing museum and weird fishing inventions.

On 5/3/2018 at 12:11 PM, Koz said:

Captain Ahab.

That elusive double digit bass is my white whale.

The double digit, white whale of a bass is out there. Just fish hard. I’m convinced that every body of water that has a healthy eco system has double digit bass.

bmac31 reply :

Mike Iaconelli. Being an east coast guy I took to Ike right away. Plus he seems like a real good dude.

Ralph Nicholas Vito reply :

Charlie Moore

Bill Dance

Jon B

all the youtube guys

but obviously I started fishing way before knowing any of these guys but they definitely are the top 3 most fun to watch guys

rejesterd reply :

Definitely Jimmy Houston when I was a kid. He just seemed like he was having more fun than anyone fishing.

As an adult, definitely Kevin Vandam. He changed the way I fish completely after what he was saying really sunk in.

Glaucus reply :

Scott Martin

Krux5506 reply :

I'm not overly knowledgeable on most of the current pros and never really followed it all too closely however I do think Al Linder (all the Linders really) deserve a mention. I admire their love for multi species fishing and particularly bass fishing.

greentrout reply :

Tennessee Boy reply :

Buck Perry - The man's contribution to our sport cannot be overstated.

Rick Clunn - I like the way he approaches the sport mentally.

Bill Dance - I don't care much for his TV show, I don't think he has that much to say about fishing that's interesting, but you've got to love his cap.????

N Florida Mike reply :

• Bill Dance ( even with the cap ) ????

• Roland Martin ( SON !! )

• Bob Mcnally ( Our local and state author, columnist, and writer. ) My favorite Florida writer on Fishing and Hunting. He's been around since it was still old Florida, and the whole state was pretty much still wilderness.

• Monroe Campbell. He had his own local fishing show every week. He lived near me, and was always ready to talk fishing. His show was heavy toward N Florida freshwater fishing.

Mobasser reply :

I would also add hat I've been a big fan of the Texas fisherman. Tommy Martin and Larry Nixon. Two of the all time best

bowhunter63 reply :

Billy Westmoreland and Tommy Martin

B_Rose12 reply :

For me, Bill Dance and the Great KVD.

Ersteman reply :

I really admired Johnny "Firecracker" Bazinski. He was known for throwing lure retrievers at nearby boats and also for sneaking up on boats and throwing firecrackers in their boats, hence the nickname. I went fishing with him one day and told me if he got in the way of his back cast that I was liable to feel the power of a real man's hookset. Then, after moving to a deep structure spot, he proceeded to push me off his boat in the middle of a lake for out-fishing him with a drop shot rig. I also found out he won tournaments by verbally and physically threatening people to not weigh in their bags. He won a 3 day tournament on Pickwick with a 5 fish limit of 3lbs-4oz as a result.

Truthfully though, I grew up watching Bill Dance and Roland Martin. I ended up liking KVD the most though, probably b/c he won so much. Nowadays I'm a fan of most anglers who are polite and professional.

bigbill reply :

On 3/29/2018 at 7:24 PM, Hez said:

That good huh?

It’s silly

with any tv show or video watch how they present the bait. Watch how they work the rod n reel. Last I listen to what they say. Then I go out and mimic then with that bait.

Like these guys or not these baits work.

bird-dog reply :

On 3/17/2018 at 5:45 AM, jbmaine said:

Anyone remember Gadabout Gaddis?

I remember my Dad always talking about Gadabout Gaddis and his lures.

For me the TV personalities that influenced me were Jerry Mckinnis and his TV show "The Fishin' Hole" followed by Hank Parker in his earlier shows.

Pro Logcatcher reply :

I have to say it...

Jeremy Wade

Big-Bass reply :

My top ten. Most come from the old TNN Outdoors shows I would watch with my dad right when we first got cable!

1. My father (who has since passed)

2. Bill Dance

3. Hank Parker

4. Al Lindner

5. Orlando Wilson

6. Roland Martin

7. Rick Clunn

8. Larry Nixon

9. Shaw Grigsby

10.Babe Winkelman/Jimmy Houston/Denny Brauer tie

jeffo21 reply :

my lists would include Hank Parker, Jimmy Houston, Jeff Kriet. I met Jeff when he fished a tournament at lake texoma a couple of years ago and was a super nice guy. He talked to my 10 yr old daughter for over 20 minutes while we were there.

Shaners reply :

Bill Dance! Now a days I watch all Tactical bassin videos and LakeForkGuy on YouTube.

r83srock reply :

I met Woo Daves, Bill dance, the hibdons, Hank Parker, Jimmy Houston when I was very young, so those guys are naturally some of my favorites. Guido Hibdon was always a stand up guy.

SDoolittle reply :

Pat McManus

MIbassyaker reply :

On 7/23/2018 at 11:33 PM, greentrout said:

A pretty good book, with used copies still available here and there at amazon and other places.

Babe, Al Lindner, Roland Martin, and Bill Dance were all on my TV off-and-on when I was younger. What makes them all special is that they are not just great anglers, but also great communicators -- capable of putting key concepts and techniques into words, and showing you directly as they break down the process bit by bit.....a really underrated skill, and much appreciated.

Robbie Mackley reply :

Ernest Hemingway.

The Bassman reply :

On 10/18/2018 at 12:01 AM, Robbie Mackley said:

Ernest Hemingway.

I can't remember, was Old Man and the Sea autobiographical? Seems unrealistic that one could handline a big marlin. By the way, welcome to the forums and if it was a joke, well I guess I took the bait.

Robbie Mackley reply :

On 10/18/2018 at 4:49 AM, The Bassman said:

I can't remember, was Old Man and the Sea autobiographical? Seems unrealistic that one could handline a big marlin. By the way, welcome to the forums and if it was a joke, well I guess I took the bait.

Hemingway enjoyed fishing. Not much more to it. ????‍♂️

TnRiver46 reply :

On 10/18/2018 at 12:01 AM, Robbie Mackley said:

Ernest Hemingway.

He inspired my whiskey drinking too. Well that and I’m probably Irish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVdaEZ2NF1w&app=desktop

Speaking of that, love this song

burrows reply :

Hank Parker Bill dance and Kevin Van dam.

Harold Scoggins reply :

These folks...

JLindsey reply :

My dad passed over the summer, which is most of the reason why I took up bass fishing. I’ve got a lot of fond memories of watching TNN with him on the weekends — Bill Dance, Hank Parker, Roland Martin. “Son!”

flyfisher reply :

I grew up watching the fishing' hole with Jerry McKinnis and he always looked like he was having fun out there no matter the conditions or the species he was going after. After that it would be Bob Clouser. My dad took me on a guided trip with him back when i was probably 8 and it got me hooked on smallies and his knowledge of the river and how to catch the fish was amazing to me even as a kid. I was then lucky enough to meet him later on in life when i was working/guiding at a local fly shop and he was still just as nice as i remembered before.

These two are after my dad who isn't he best fisherman but I would fish with him any time anywhere,

Swbass15 reply :

So I’m a young guy, I remember Denny being on the Wheaties box, and KVD was very dominant in BASS at the time. These guys gave me dreams of catching huge fish at my local lake and fed my desire to be a fisherman at a young age.

as I got older and my life changed I fell out of fishing, was hunting a lot more as fishing conflicts with work pretty hard. Then I let this gal who would become my wife. I’d say now she is my biggest inspiration to fish again. She’s competitive and loves the water.

fishon2 reply :

Roland Martin, Bill Dance, Mike Iaconelli

basseditor reply :

One guy I learned a lot about rods from was a trout guy who caught 20-30 pound browns on Flaming Gorge. He was hard to be around but I watched him catch so many big fish using Browning Boron Rods. I hadn’t heard about sponsorships until then (1970s).

As far as bass fishing, I’d say Bobby Garland and Dee Thomas.

greentrout reply :

Ted Williams...

WRB reply :

Remembering Jason Lucas reminds me of his impact on modern bass fishing. Jay was from NewYork, not the heart land of bass fishing. During his time of influence on me was the 50's when trolling was the norm and casting wasn't. Jay was the editor of Sports Afield and a expert caster doing exhibition casting at sportsmen shows around the country and promoting light line and keeping only what you needed to eat and carefully releasing bass. Plugging was a art form and the lures of choice to catch bass in the 50's. Surface lures, shallow divers, deeper divers cast with accuracy and worked to entice bass to strikes.

When Jay came out with his book Lucas on Bass it was my first fishing book that started a life long passion for bass fishing. I would write to Jay with questions as a young teen and he always answered with a hand written detailed letter.

So how did this influence modern bass fishing? Target casting in lieu of trolling, releasing bass, using sporting light tackle to enjoy catching bass on artifical lures and understanding bass behavior. Without Jays advice and guidance my generation of bass anglers, including me, would never have developed the casting skills to catch bass and owe a lifetime of bass fishing memories to him.

Thank you,

Tom

chattooga_ basser reply :

He's not a bass guy but Jose Wejebe was a big influence, he brought so much joy and excitement you can't help but get fired up. Now that I mostly bass fish and dabble in tournaments I gotta say Bryan Thrift, he doesn't do alot of TV stuff but I can listen to his podcasts at work and it definitely has helped with the mental game.

9913

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