Western Bass Fishing Archives Western -

Category: Western

The Birth of The Swimbait

Posted by Terry Battisti | Jul 7, 2026 | Tackle History, Western |

In The Swimbait – The Birth of a New Era, we look at an early Lunker Bill Murphy article on how he fished big diving minnows to giant bass

A Look in the Western Rearview Mirror

Posted by Terry Battisti | Apr 21, 2026 | Western |

Still, even equipped with small aluminum boats and minimal electronics, the anglers fiercely competed and many a fish were brought to the scales. This picture article looks back on those days and the boats the early California anglers used to compete in bass tournaments.

Klein Comes Through

Posted by Brian Waldman | Apr 16, 2026 | Throwback Thursday, Western |

For today’s Throwback Thursday photo, we have a 1987 picture of Gary Klein on Clear Lake catching bass for the BASSMASTER TV crew.

Don Iovino – Western Doodle King

Posted by Terry Battisti | Apr 6, 2026 | Videos, Western |

Don Iovino – Western Doodle King looks at the career of Don Iovino and how he shaped finesse fishing throughout the United States and more.

The U.S. Open 1981: An Event that Changed Bass Fishing – Part Three

Posted by Terry Battisti | Mar 25, 2026 | Old Tournament Organizations, Western |

“Before that the top anglers didn’t think much of us at all. They didn’t even think we had bass out west much less than whether or not we could compete with them. After the Open, though, anglers like Roland [Martin] and Jimmy [Houston] would actually tell sponsors that we were good fishermen.

The U.S. Open 1981: An Event that Changed Bass Fishing – Part Two

Posted by Terry Battisti | Mar 24, 2026 | Old Tournament Organizations, Western |

“Being in the lead, I did look over my shoulder a lot to see who the challengers were behind me. But you can’t dwell on that. No matter what happens or who was behind me, I knew I still had to catch a good limit each day. I knew I couldn’t be worrying about who was behind me.”

The U.S. Open 1981: An Event that Changed Bass Fishing – Part One

Posted by Terry Battisti | Mar 23, 2026 | Old Tournament Organizations, Western |

Until this time, rarely, if ever, had a southern angler ventured west to fish unless it was for one of the few events B.A.S.S. held in the west. This event was different, though. The promise of a big payday brought anglers from 22 states. Names like Roland Martin, Bobby Murray, Forrest Wood, Basil Bacon, Harold Allen, Don Butler, Cliff Craft, Rick Clunn and Ricky Green would face off against the West’s best.