Today’s Friday Finale historical photo dates to a 1996 story in a local newspaper detailing what it takes to catch big bass. The angler’s photo featured in the articles lengthy (4 columns) write-up is that of Indiana pro Kenneth “Dusty” Pine, one of the few recognized pros from the state at the time. The irony of the story, as I read through it looking for some good tips from Dusty to share with readers, is that he was only mentioned in passing once in the entire story. Instead, the writer spent the entire article talking about what HE would do to catch bigger bass in the spring. Alas…
But Dusty qualified for two Bassmaster Classics (1986,1987), once via the Federation route and the second time through the professional tournament trail. He fished a total of 63 events, winning just over $162,000 and hauling in 1,075 pounds of bass over his career. His final event on tour was listed as the 1993 Kentucky Invitational.
He is probably best known for his 1990 win at the BASSMASTER New York Invitational, where he edged out Guido Hibdon for the title. It could be argued that event put “rat fishing” on the national map at the time. Dusty used a white Mann’s Rat with 20-pound-test line in thick scum above shallow beds of milfoil to capture the win. He was the only one fishing that way on waters better known for their smallmouth productivity.
Mann’s bought production rights for the “Rat” when it purchased the lure company of Alabama’s Loyd Tallent. At the time it came in eight colors, with white, gray and chartreuse being the most popular according to Gary Dollahon of Mann’s Bait Co.
Dusty’s other tour win was a part of the 4-man winning team in the 1987 BASSMASTER Team Championship, also held in New York out of Alexandria Bay. Dusty paired with Larry Nixon, Stanley Mitchell, and Chet Douthit, weighing in a two-day total of 76-12 to claim $374,000 of the $448,000 total purse. Each guy on the winning team received $73,500 plus a fully rigged bass boat valued at $20,000.
