Here is part four and a continuation in the series of previous Bass Fishing Archives posts taken from the 1970 Tom McNally’s Fisherman’s Bible and one of its stories titled, 150 Bass Fishing Tips from 15 Experts. The idea was that we would periodically post several of these tips from the “experts” of 1970 until we had posted all 150 tips.
Before delving into these additional tips, just a reflection on how much bass fishing has changed since these tips were offered way back in 1970. Any internet search on bass fishing today is rife with the “controversy” swirling around forward-facing sonar. While this posting is not to weigh in or take sides with where current technology is leading bass fishing, it is interesting to reflect on just how much has changed since 1970, especially with regard to technology.
The “mystery” of fishing is slowly disappearing. Unlike hunting, fishing historically involved an unseen adversary. For many fishermen, the anticipation and unknown timing of the strike and subsequent battle was always part of the appeal. When a lunker bass unknowingly slurped down your topwater bait or when you felt that long awaited telltale tap as you crawled a plastic worm along the bottom was always a large part of the fascination of our sport.
This mystery and excitement is slowly eroding with new technology. This is no more apparent than when watching current tournament pros whose boats often sport six total sonars, three at the bow and three at the console. Now you can see the bass and watch how they respond and hopefully attack your offerings. GPS guided trolling motors and dual rear “power pole” anchors that drop and hold at the touch of a button are also commonplace. Rods, reels and lures have all advanced greatly as well.
However, the real beauty of bass fishing is that all of this equipment (and expense) is not required to participate successfully and enjoyably. Perusing the tips presented in this post is evidence of a much simpler and quieter time when bass fishing was a true leisure activity. We hope these tips are not only a reminder of that time, but offer you some inexpensive and timeless advice to improve your bassin’ game.
Our first tips come from Bill Cullerton, an industry executive from this time who represented Johnson reels and Rapala lures. Despite his angling prowess across multiple species, he was described as a “bass fisherman’s bass fisherman.” Next up is Charley Elliott who was a field editor for Outdoor Life magazine. He also had an extensive outdoor public service background and was the author of several fishing books. Lastly, we have tips from Harold Ensley who if you are of a certain age and from the Midwest, will remember fondly as “The Sportsman’s Friend”. Besides radio shows, he was also an early pioneer in televised fishing programming. Enjoy!
To read the previous posts please click here for Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
Love these excerpts from the McNally Fisherman’s Bible. They are as relevant today as they were back then, to those of us without 6 sonar units on our boats and who still appreciate that “unknown” aspect or mystery of fishing. Interesting to see that Cullerton lived in Elmhurst, IL My uncle lived there for many years. Also thought his tip on using pork chunks was interesting, given my recent story of Cal Johnson writing for Uncle Josh mentioned the same technique of threading a piece of red yard or felt to the chunk, and using a weedless hook to swim it through the weeds. In fact, his multiple mentions of fishing pork have me curious if he ever did anything with any of the pork bait companies (or, for that matter, if he fished with Cal Johnson).
Yes, David, four of Cullerton 10 tips were about pork! He did write about Uncle Josh pork rind. In a pamphlet entitled “HOW TO FISH PORK RIND IN FRESH WATER”, published by Uncle Josh Bait Company, (date unknown), Cullerton wrote about a 600 word article entitled “PIKE N’ PORK” (about catching northern pike). There’s other brief articles in that pamphlet by Stan Fagerstrom, Al Lindner, Dick Collier, Bob McNally, Billy Westmorland, and Max Eggleston. About two weeks ago, I sent the pamphlet along with two others to Terry Battisti, in hopes they would be seen on the Bass Fishing Archives.
Whoa, I can’t wait to see that pamphlet, Andy! I just love that old Uncle Josh paraphernalia and promotional stuff. No doubt Terry will indeed share it on BFA. Thanks so much for sending those pamphlets to him and allowing the rest of the world to view those special pieces of history. (And next time, forget Terry, send them to ME! lol jk)