Gear

Six lures that rocked bass fishing

Posted on
Here is a look at six types of baits that changed the face of fishing during the past 50 years. What other types of baits are worthy of this discussion? Leave them in the comments below.<p><i>Captions by Bryan Brasher</i>
Here is a look at six types of baits that changed the face of fishing during the past 50 years. What other types of baits are worthy of this discussion? Leave them in the comments below.Captions by Bryan Brasher
<h4>Squarebill Crankbait</h4><BR> It seems weird that so many decades are identified as the period in history when the squarebill crankbait took the bass fishing world by storm. But the reason for that is simple: The bait has made waves on the professional trail numerous times during the past half-century and then, for whatever reason, just fell off the face of the earth. The squarebill seems to have truly originated in 1967 when the Big-O was hand-carved out of wood by famous luremaker Fred Young.
Squarebill Crankbait
It seems weird that so many decades are identified as the period in history when the squarebill crankbait took the bass fishing world by storm. But the reason for that is simple: The bait has made waves on the professional trail numerous times during the past half-century and then, for whatever reason, just fell off the face of the earth. The squarebill seems to have truly originated in 1967 when the Big-O was hand-carved out of wood by famous luremaker Fred Young.
The problem with Fred Young’s Big O lures was that they were all different. It was rare for two to ever have the same action in the water, and that made it hard for devoted anglers to get in tune with them. Cotton Cordell changed all of that in 1973 when they started making the Big O from plastic instead of wood. Equipped with a much tougher lip than the 1973 models, the Cotton Cordell Big O Squarebill is still a player today.
The problem with Fred Young’s Big O lures was that they were all different. It was rare for two to ever have the same action in the water, and that made it hard for devoted anglers to get in tune with them. Cotton Cordell changed all of that in 1973 when they started making the Big O from plastic instead of wood. Equipped with a much tougher lip than the 1973 models, the Cotton Cordell Big O Squarebill is still a player today.
As the story goes, Bassmaster legend Rick Clunn learned the power of the squarebill during the mid-1970s when he drew Fred Young as a partner for a tournament on Clarks Hill Reservoir. Not wanting to be disrespectful, Clunn had one of Young’s baits tied on — and he got a free lesson that day in how to use it. Clunn would eventually design his own version of the bait for Luck-E-Strike.
As the story goes, Bassmaster legend Rick Clunn learned the power of the squarebill during the mid-1970s when he drew Fred Young as a partner for a tournament on Clarks Hill Reservoir. Not wanting to be disrespectful, Clunn had one of Young’s baits tied on — and he got a free lesson that day in how to use it. Clunn would eventually design his own version of the bait for Luck-E-Strike.
The bait made some noise during the 1970s, but virtually disappeared until May 1991 when Clunn used it to win the Truman Bassmaster Invitational. It took another dive off the face of the earth, only to reappear in 2000 when Clunn used it to win an FLW event on Beaver Lake and finish second in another on the Mississippi River.
The bait made some noise during the 1970s, but virtually disappeared until May 1991 when Clunn used it to win the Truman Bassmaster Invitational. It took another dive off the face of the earth, only to reappear in 2000 when Clunn used it to win an FLW event on Beaver Lake and finish second in another on the Mississippi River.
The early 2000s flurry by Clunn seemed to make the squarebill a permanent fixture in tackle boxes all over America — and it paved the way for popular models like the Strike King KVD 1.5…
The early 2000s flurry by Clunn seemed to make the squarebill a permanent fixture in tackle boxes all over America — and it paved the way for popular models like the Strike King KVD 1.5…
…and the Berkley SquareBull.
…and the Berkley SquareBull.
<h4>Umbrella Rig</h4><BR> Ever been up late at night and saw one of those infomercials for a new fishing lure that is supposedly “so good it’s illegal in tournaments?” Chances are, they were just making that stuff up — unless the commercial was for an umbrella rig.
Umbrella Rig
Ever been up late at night and saw one of those infomercials for a new fishing lure that is supposedly “so good it’s illegal in tournaments?” Chances are, they were just making that stuff up — unless the commercial was for an umbrella rig.
Known originally as “The Alabama Rig,” the wire-arm, multi-lure rig burst onto the bass fishing scene in 2011 when former Bassmaster pro Paul Elias used it to win an FLW Tour event on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville with a four-day total of 102 pounds, 8 ounces. It gave him a 17-pound margin of victory in a tournament that was expected to be won with 50 to 60 pounds.
Known originally as “The Alabama Rig,” the wire-arm, multi-lure rig burst onto the bass fishing scene in 2011 when former Bassmaster pro Paul Elias used it to win an FLW Tour event on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville with a four-day total of 102 pounds, 8 ounces. It gave him a 17-pound margin of victory in a tournament that was expected to be won with 50 to 60 pounds.
The Alabama Rig is a wire harness sporting multiple “arms” to which lures or baits are attached. Because they're wire, you can bend and adjust them to suit your desired presentation. Elias learned about the rig from its developer, Andy Poss, and the rest is history.
The Alabama Rig is a wire harness sporting multiple “arms” to which lures or baits are attached. Because they’re wire, you can bend and adjust them to suit your desired presentation. Elias learned about the rig from its developer, Andy Poss, and the rest is history.
The Alabama Rig, which was imitated and marketed by numerous other companies under different names, had a major effect on the fishing world. But after several major tournaments turned into A-Rig slugfests, the technique was banned from B.A.S.S. competition in 2012 and FLW events in 2014. It remains an ultra-popular technique outside of those events.
The Alabama Rig, which was imitated and marketed by numerous other companies under different names, had a major effect on the fishing world. But after several major tournaments turned into A-Rig slugfests, the technique was banned from B.A.S.S. competition in 2012 and FLW events in 2014. It remains an ultra-popular technique outside of those events.
<h4>Plastic Frog</h4><BR> Bassmaster Elite Series pro Bernie Schultz would scold me for even suggesting that the plastic frog was invented during the past 50 years. As a great historian of the sport and a collector of vintage fishing tackle, Bernie would point out that the Hasting’s Weedless Casting Frog was actually marketed in 1895. But let’s be honest, frogs have really come into their own during the past half century — and they’ve had a major effect on pro fishing.
Plastic Frog
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Bernie Schultz would scold me for even suggesting that the plastic frog was invented during the past 50 years. As a great historian of the sport and a collector of vintage fishing tackle, Bernie would point out that the Hasting’s Weedless Casting Frog was actually marketed in 1895. But let’s be honest, frogs have really come into their own during the past half century — and they’ve had a major effect on pro fishing.
The Spro Poppin’ Frog is a modified version of the company’s original Bronzeye 65, which has been staple on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail for years. The popping version has a concave mouth that chugs and spits when it’s worked.
The Spro Poppin’ Frog is a modified version of the company’s original Bronzeye 65, which has been staple on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail for years. The popping version has a concave mouth that chugs and spits when it’s worked.
The Snag Proof Frog is another version that has long been popular on the B.A.S.S. tournament circuit. Its simple, weedless design allows it to be fished easily in all types of cover.
The Snag Proof Frog is another version that has long been popular on the B.A.S.S. tournament circuit. Its simple, weedless design allows it to be fished easily in all types of cover.
A big part of the frogging evolution has been the usage of plastic frogs and toad imitations as bodies for traditional buzzbaits — as seen here on the Tour Toad Buzz from Big Bite Baits. At least one Bassmaster Elite Series event was won in 2018 with this type of presentation.
A big part of the frogging evolution has been the usage of plastic frogs and toad imitations as bodies for traditional buzzbaits — as seen here on the Tour Toad Buzz from Big Bite Baits. At least one Bassmaster Elite Series event was won in 2018 with this type of presentation.
<h4>Walking Baits</h4><BR>The Heddon Zara Spook is hardly a new lure. In fact, a wooden version of the bait called the “Zaragossa 6500 Series” was introduced way back in 1939. But the Spook and its famous “walk-the-dog” action seemed to really take off during the late 1980s — and it’s since spawned many interesting versions.
Walking BaitsThe Heddon Zara Spook is hardly a new lure. In fact, a wooden version of the bait called the “Zaragossa 6500 Series” was introduced way back in 1939. But the Spook and its famous “walk-the-dog” action seemed to really take off during the late 1980s — and it’s since spawned many interesting versions.
In 2012, Strike King Lure Company introduced the KVD Sexy Dawg. Designed by former Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kevin VanDam, the lure was created to take advantage of the walk-the-dog craze — and if you’ve ever used one, you know it draws some ferocious strikes.
In 2012, Strike King Lure Company introduced the KVD Sexy Dawg. Designed by former Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kevin VanDam, the lure was created to take advantage of the walk-the-dog craze — and if you’ve ever used one, you know it draws some ferocious strikes.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brandon Card finished second in an event on Lake Texoma in 2016, using primarily a walking bait…
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brandon Card finished second in an event on Lake Texoma in 2016, using primarily a walking bait…
…Card’s walker of choice was the Yo-Zuri 3DB Pencil.
…Card’s walker of choice was the Yo-Zuri 3DB Pencil.
<h4>Chatterbait</h4> <BR>Ron Davis Sr. built the first ChatterBait bladed jigs and manufactured them inside his South Carolina garage until the demand for the baits became so great that he needed some help.
Chatterbait Ron Davis Sr. built the first ChatterBait bladed jigs and manufactured them inside his South Carolina garage until the demand for the baits became so great that he needed some help.
Davis partnered in 2006 with Z-Man, which had been supplying the silicone skirt for his bladed jig bodies. Then he patented the product as an intellectual property that he sold to Z-Man in 2008. The lure, which has a distinct vibrating action, has taken on one of the most valuable distinctions in bass fishing as a lure that will “often produce bites when virtually nothing else will.” It’s also recognized as one of the best search baits in bass fishing history.
Davis partnered in 2006 with Z-Man, which had been supplying the silicone skirt for his bladed jig bodies. Then he patented the product as an intellectual property that he sold to Z-Man in 2008. The lure, which has a distinct vibrating action, has taken on one of the most valuable distinctions in bass fishing as a lure that will “often produce bites when virtually nothing else will.” It’s also recognized as one of the best search baits in bass fishing history.
<h4>Swimbaits</h4><BR>One of the easiest ways to offend a bass fisherman is to tell him that someone else knew about a certain lure or technique before he did. Maybe that’s why there’s so much debate about whether swimbaits were first used for bass in California or Texas or Japan or…wherever.
SwimbaitsOne of the easiest ways to offend a bass fisherman is to tell him that someone else knew about a certain lure or technique before he did. Maybe that’s why there’s so much debate about whether swimbaits were first used for bass in California or Texas or Japan or…wherever.
The most widely accepted origin story about swimbaits seems to involve a California luremarker named A.C. Cole. Many believe he started the swimbait craze during the late 1980s with a wooden rainbow trout imitation that not only caught striped bass from Lake Pyramid, but also giant largemouth. His first bait, known as the AC Plug, eventually caught on with bass fishermen at trophy largemouth fisheries like Lake Casitas and Lake Castaic — and has since spawned many other versions like the plastic one pictured here.
The most widely accepted origin story about swimbaits seems to involve a California luremarker named A.C. Cole. Many believe he started the swimbait craze during the late 1980s with a wooden rainbow trout imitation that not only caught striped bass from Lake Pyramid, but also giant largemouth. His first bait, known as the AC Plug, eventually caught on with bass fishermen at trophy largemouth fisheries like Lake Casitas and Lake Castaic — and has since spawned many other versions like the plastic one pictured here.
In 1993, California luremaker Mike Shaw started producing a swimbait called the MS Slammer. It had a plastic lip, which caused it to dip and dive beneath the surface. That allowed anglers to take a slightly different approach than they’d taken with swimbaits in the past — and even 25 years ago, people were willing to pay as much as $40 apiece for them.
In 1993, California luremaker Mike Shaw started producing a swimbait called the MS Slammer. It had a plastic lip, which caused it to dip and dive beneath the surface. That allowed anglers to take a slightly different approach than they’d taken with swimbaits in the past — and even 25 years ago, people were willing to pay as much as $40 apiece for them.
The Basstrix Paddle Tail Swimbait dominated the bass fishing landscape for a while during the mid-2000s, only to disappear during the latter half of the decade. The bait began re-emerging in 2015 when several Bassmaster Elite Series pros had great success with it during an event on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville.
The Basstrix Paddle Tail Swimbait dominated the bass fishing landscape for a while during the mid-2000s, only to disappear during the latter half of the decade. The bait began re-emerging in 2015 when several Bassmaster Elite Series pros had great success with it during an event on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville.
If a big version of something is working, you can always bet the bass fishing world is working to invent a smaller model. That’s been true for swimbaits in recent years with models from Storm, Keitech and Yamamoto — just to name a few.
If a big version of something is working, you can always bet the bass fishing world is working to invent a smaller model. That’s been true for swimbaits in recent years with models from Storm, Keitech and Yamamoto — just to name a few.

Related