For experienced bass anglers. "Back to the Future" 2025

cart7t reply :

It's way too hot out to fish today so with nothing better to do other than mess with the boat and stay cool, I thought I'd present bass anglers who've been doing this bit at least 20 + years a fun scenario. Here goes.

You're out fishing, you open the lid on the JJ's magic, the vapor cloud rises from the bottle and from the cloud, a genie pops out.

He informs you that today's newer equipment has made life too easy on you. That you need to get back to the basics and see if you really can catch fish or whether it's all do to a reliance on modern technology.

Poof

All of your equipment, from boat, motor, TM, electronics, rods, reels, line and lures is gone. In it's place is the stuff you were using 20, 25, 30 years ago. You have to use this equipment for the next year and show you can produce results with it as you do with the modern stuff. The one caveat? You get to select ONE thing from the present day to fish with along with all the old.

What would you choose?

And, what's the 2nd thing you'd beg the genie for even though you probably won't get it?

I already know what I'd choose and I'll post it later, I'm just curious to first hear others responses.

bigtimfish reply :

I would get my Lowrance. And I would beg for my Revo SX/American Rodsmith setup that I use today. I chose a R&R setup because a lot of the things I used back then I still use today (devils horse,torpedo,plastic worms).

cart7t reply :

Quote
I would get my Lowrance. And I would beg for my Revo SX/American Rodsmith setup that I use today. I chose a R&R setup because a lot of the things I used back then I still use today (devils horse,torpedo,plastic worms).

Can't choose a rod and reel setup. Rod or reel, not both.

Crestliner2008 reply :

My Lowrance - too easy! Nothing else matters.

Catt reply :

Easy a couple hundred Gene Larew 7 ½ Salty Ring Worms in Cinnamon Pepper Neon/June Bug Laminated (Camouflage).

RoLo reply :

That's a very intuitive question Cart...you are actually asking two questions in one

A. Which piece of equipment is most important

B. Which piece of equipment has evolved the most.

Mulling over that whole scenario is very sobering.

You may reprimand me for breaking form, but I'm giving the nod to modern hooks" and braided line".

Unlike hooks of yore, today's hooks are ALL fully sharpened right out of the package and hold edge keenness much longer.

With respect to fishing line, I've lost countless bass to the stretch in nylon monofilament, which is history with today's

braided polyethylene. With braid line, hook-sets are a flip of the wrist and a $100 rod suddenly becomes a $300 rod

That would strap me down to my old portable Lowrance depth sounder and several pounds of Culprit 7.5" plastic worms.

With my vintage equipment, braided line and today's hooks, I know I could cut a good living 8-)

Roger

BassnMan Mike reply :

Hmm, life was alot simpler then, not as many expensive choices to choose from......

I remember using a Lowrance flasher back in the day, kinda a pain but it was effective so I guess I wouldnt need my current day electronics. then again I learned to fish by observing the lay of the land and my depth finder was a 1 ounce jig, HA!

A Loomis rod would be nice but not "needed". As to the modern day reels, I've always been an Abu man and still have several "Round" reels that I still use so that wouldnt be needed.

Attractant, I do like the modern day stuff, Smelly Jelly, Hot Sauce and recently started using Mega Strike but I still love and use Berkley Strike so that would be good enough. I sure wish they still made that stuff, my supply is running low.

I guess my choice would have to be a supply of X-Point hooks followed by some Fluorocarbon line.

Hows that for back to basics?

Mike

Uncle Leo reply :

No matter to me. What I find more important is the knowledge I gained over the years. True modern equipment has made it easier but my knowledge is what catches the bass. But if I must choose it would be my Owner EWG hooks. Very thought provoking Glen.

BenoBreath reply :

A 6'6" Graphite ML Finesse spinning rod.

I'd beg the genie for several hundred pkg. of Netbait Paca Chunk

in Alabama craw color.

Awesome post !!

Glenn reply :

The keyword here is "equipment". Glen didn't say "lures", so I'll assume I get my current arsenal.

As for "equipment", I'd opt for my boat....presuming I get the associated trolling motor, Lowrance, and Yamaha HPDI that's part of it.

I think these things have made the greatest leaps and bounds over the decades more than anything else. Trolling motors are more powerful and efficient than ever before; Engines are much, much, much more fuel and oil efficient and more powerful (and quieter); Depthfinders are extremely advanced compared to chart graphs and LCD's of yore; and bass boats have better livewells, more storage, better handling, and are better built than their ancestors of a few decades ago.

So ya, I'd take my boat.

skunked_again reply :

my boat.

for me its an easy choice.

cart7t reply :

Quote
The keyword here is "equipment". Glen didn't say "lures", so I'll assume I get my current arsenal.
As for "equipment", I'd opt for my boat....presuming I get the associated trolling motor, Lowrance, and Yamaha HPDI that's part of it.

I think these things have made the greatest leaps and bounds over the decades more than anything else. Trolling motors are more powerful and efficient than ever before; Engines are much, much, much more fuel and oil efficient and more powerful (and quieter); Depthfinders are extremely advanced compared to chart graphs and LCD's of yore; and bass boats have better livewells, more storage, better handling, and are better built than their ancestors of a few decades ago.

So ya, I'd take my boat.

Sorry Glenn, the genie took everything including your lures. The genie also won't allow you to consider the boat as a package either. You can have the boat hull, boat motor, TM or the electronics seperately, not all together.

Quote
All of your equipment, from boat, motor, TM, electronics, rods, reels, line and lures is gone.

Some of this depends on when you first started. 20 years ago, graphite rods were out there and pretty decent at the time. 30 + years ago when I started, the only thing we had were sluggish fiberglass rods. That's my pick, a sensitive rod.

I'd put up with the bathtub boat with bone jarring ride pushed by the noisy, gas hungry OB with the Lowrance/Humminbird flasher and the under powered TM and the hooks that constantly needed sharpening tied to monofilament line that wasn't the most abrasion resistant and was pretty stretchy as long as I can feel my bait with the rod. As for the baits, I could catch fish on those today too.

I'll beg the genie for a graph even though I probably won't get it.

foul hooked reply :

Owner Hooks.

Mac1 reply :

I would have to take the one thing that has improve my catching more than anything else....Senkos. And beg for hooks.

bilgerat reply :

Great post cart7t.

Being I fish out of a jon boat and do not use electronics, I guess that pretty much puts me in the stone age anyway

The one thing I would take from today would be my Avid rod. I'll do just fine with 7" purple Culprit worms and some Tru Turn hooks.

Hammer 4 reply :

I'd want my ragetail lizards, and would beg for my tm..

WRB reply :

It wouldn't affect me much at all. The fact is I still make and use a lot of yesteryear's lures and presentations because they still catch bass today. Example; hair jigs with Pedigo cut pork lizards, I fish year around.

Every once in awhile we still go out and fish with nostalgic tackle that dates back in the 50"s; Langley Target reel, Cololin rod, Ashaway line and antique lures. It's a lot fun.

Pick any decade over the past 50 years and whatever the tackle was it would be OK with me.

WRB

Wayne P. reply :

Lew's Speed Stick with #2 action and 5'6"

Mattlures reply :

I hardley use my electronics now and way back when I was a worm dragger. I am still very confident in my wormin skills. I would probably ask to keep my fluorocarbon line.

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

Braided line even though ive used Big game forever

Long Mike reply :

The choice for me wouldn't be equipment. The choice would be the lake.

grimlin reply :

Let me keep my experience that i have...nothing else.

Bassn Blvd reply :

I would choose a 12-14 foot, wide canoe.

Being in S. Florida, I can fish the canoe ANYWHERE and won't need any type of electronics, motor or t/m. (hopefully one oar comes with it)

I still use the same type hook, worm and weight as 20-30 and 35 yrs ago so I would beg for a T/M.

Virgil reply :

Well I would not ask for a Lew's Speed Stick because I have the one I won as a door prize at a meeting of the Oregon Bass and Pan Fish Club back in the mid 70's. I still use my Ambassador 5001C reel I bought back then and it still works just fine. I do have newer reels and poles but I think my choice would have to be braided line. Second choice would be a better trolling motor than I had back then.

Mattlures reply :

Actualy I changed my mind. Even though fluoro is an edge I just remembered that my bait casting rods all had thos pistal grips back then. Man those were horrible. I would chose a nice rod with a regular grip

Catt reply :

2009 30 = 1979

58 yrs old 30 = 28 yrs old

My body was in excellent health, no ruptured discs or torn ligaments in my lower back, no severe arthritis in my right elbow or left shoulder, and no torn cartilage in my right knee.

My knowledge & experience at age 28

Blue Streak reply :

I would take my knowledge, all of the things I have learned about bass and bass fishing. That would make me a pretty good fisherman. And I guess I would ask the genie for my sonar, but I could get by without it. The old days were not so bad and we caught plenty of bass.

Paul Roberts reply :

Fun thread.

Hmmmmmmm.... This is tough...

Several good answers here, especially: electronics, graphite, line, quality hooks.

Depends a lot on the type (esp size) of waters I fish.

Lessseeee...

Electronics: Flashers existed within the time frame here. I like the graphic display better now, and side-scan sure is cool and could save time, but the old Green Box could still be put to good use. Of course GPS units can be pretty useful, especially on big waters.

Modern high carbon steel hook designs: This one's gonna fall of my list pretty quick. Although nice, I can sharpen the old irons. And I'd even taken to bending hooks if I needed a different shape.

Graphite: I started with wood (see pic), then steel (my Dad's), glass (tubular), and upgraded over time; I still have an S-Glass steelhead rod I still like and used for plugging until I left steelie country.

I remember my first graphite rod and sweating bullets sinking a chunk of my paycheck to buy that Skyline spinning rod. I still have it and use it every spring. A second Skyline casting rod followed (I sweating bullets again lol) -which I'm gonna ebay soon bc, like Matt, I just can't stand the pistol grip!

I remember amazing my glass-toting friends while fighting big trout with graphite -"Oh! He's turned the other way I can feel the line ticking through his teeth! Oh...now he's rolled and the lines caught around a pectoral!..."

Friends couldn't believe what they were hearing until they bought their own. But, I could catch fish without graphite (can I keep my S-Glass?).

Line: I've always said that line is the single most important piece of technology; that if we can significantly reduce the diameter of line (or get rid if it all together ) that that would be the single biggest technological achievement in angling. Water is a thick gelatinous medium, and line affects our presentations and sensitivity more than most realize I think.

But, I still use mono (XT) a lot and could get by there the most versatile line really. Braid and fluoro sure have their place. ANDI'm still waiting on that next BIG breakthrough: .003 diameter high density 20# -bring it on baby !!

So...in my own fishing nowadays, mostly in small waters, although I want all the modern conveniences, in the end, No changes REALLY necessary.

Fun thread.

Pre-Glass (c. 1966)

Gone Tubular (c. 1973) with homemade jigheads (split shot crimped to a goose-neck worm hook)

Won Big Bass in local contest (that's what we called them) (c. 1976). Rubber worm.

senile1 reply :

Genies popping out of a bottles of JJ's . . . . . what a silly idea. Everyone knows that Genies come from lamps!

But I'll play along . . . .

I would ask for one of today's sensitive rods.

Secondly, I would beg for my Lowrance.

WRB reply :

1979

We had Lowrance X15 paper graphs and Hummin Bird Super Sixty's, Trilene XT copolymer line, Eagle Claw and Mustad hooks with hones or files, Phenix and Fenwick boron composite rods with straight handles, good Swedish made Abu reels and bass boats with all of today's equipment, it wasn't the dark ages. Go back to 1969 and everything in bass fishing was just in the development period.

Catt said he would like to be 28, I would to 58, but will take what I have and be very happy to fish any period with whatever is available.

WRB

roadwarrior reply :

I''ll take today's Stella. This reels makes fishing more fun!

Otherwise, all I need is a 20 or 30 year old plastic worm or

jig & pig. Additional "old lures" would include the original Rapala,

Rat-L-Trap, Devil's Horse and Lucky 13.

8-)

clipper reply :

A wide-gap hook so I could texas rig a Big Daddy Fliptail instead of fishing it on a hook with a bent wire to make it weedless.

Paul Roberts reply :

Quote
1979
We had Lowrance X15 paper graphs and Hummin Bird Super Sixty's, Trilene XT copolymer line, Eagle Claw and Mustad hooks with hones or files, Phenix and Fenwick boron composite rods with straight handles, good Swedish made Abu reels and bass boats with all of today's equipment, it wasn't the dark ages. Go back to 1969 and everything in bass fishing was just in the development period.

Catt said he would like to be 28, I would to 58, but will take what I have and be very happy to fish any period with whatever is available.

WRB

Good post.

(I can still smell the X15 paper cookin'.)

11780

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