Wow I was just getting started in bass fishing back in 1988 after I sold my rodeo horses. My goodness have we not come along way in 20 years. I know I have.

1988 BASS Megabucks still my favorite when Larry landed this bass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi3q9muRQJk&feature=related

Debra

Cool video times have changed.

I wonder if any of those guys still use the pistol grip rods for old times sake.

1988? You musta just been about 6? You DID start early!

Started in 1984. It has been a long joyful ride with ups and downs.

1988 20 years ago....I don't believe it!
very cool vid.....thank god we don't wear hats like that anymore...or at least some of us

Almost 30 years since I fished a Pro Tournament. Aug. 22 1979 at Amistad and things have changed just a little bit.

Started when I was 6 with my dad (1976) 32 years ago, every weekend at Lake Okeechobee Fla. or the everglades at the Loxahatchee wildlife refuge. Our boat was a 18' Hurst with a 200 Black Max.

We started fishing from a Canoe in the late 60's. I remember my father digging a rattle trap out of my head that my brother conviently placed there with an attempted cast. First bass boat was a Monark Delta "stick" stearing.

Wish I had a penny for every bass that I have lipped.

The good old days.......

What a bunch of kids. I had already quit tournament fishing years before y'all started.
Oh yeah there Mr. LoneStarCarper what is wrong with that hat?

I remember watching that on TNN when it first aired. I had just turned 12 and that episode cemented Larry Nixon as my favorite pro. Does anyone make a pistol grip anymore? I was more accurate with a 5'6" or 6' pistol grip than anything else I've ever used.

Don't want to admit how far back I got started except to say I bought a brand new Skeeter with stick steering equipped with a 50 hp Johnson. That was a "hot" rig back then.

I still got several old pistol grip rods just dont use them any more..... they will wear your wrist out if we used them and made as many cast as we do today....
Didn't know Debra was a rodeo star.... I knew I liked that gal for some reason....Bet she was a barrel racer..

Still have 3 or 4 of the 5'6" Skyline Graphites with pistol grips and Diawa Procasters up in the attic. Rigs have to be 30+ years old. Wish I would have kept all my old red and black 5000's and 5500's.

Year or two ago, I sold some of the old Champion Featherweight rod handles that had the chucks to fit the rod and handle together. Think I probably paid $5 a piece for them back when I built my rods. Sold them on eBay for $60 EACH! I know I threw some away over the years since I would never use them and they had no value----DUH.

I was born with fishing in my blood, but unfortunately did not start fishing until 1993. When I was a kid I would get all excited when I saw people fishing, but my Dad was not into that sort of thing at all. Then I would catch glimpses of fishing shows growing up, and that would drive me wild. Finally I moved to North Carolina in 1993, thats when I bought my first Zebco 33, and now many thousands of $$$$ later, I am a die hard fisherman.

By the way, I got rid of my last pistol grip 2 years ago. I used to love using those things, but tendinitis would not allow me to use these anymore (ouch ).

St.Croix still makes a 5'6" pistol grip.I was going to buy the last one,but somebody beat me to it.I found a 5'6" Loomis pistol grip too.It's the next rod that I'll buy.If no one beats me to it.By the way...I love the way Larry played that big fish.

i wasn't even a twinkle in my parent's eyes.

I saw a Kistler pistol grip at the Gander Mountain in Corsicana.

BPS and Acadia have pistol grip rods. I use on for my top waters. Easier to walk the dog with a pistol grip

I was 2, thats about all I remember

Nice video. It is nice to see true fishing professionals, not all the fake whooping and holering that goes on today.

BTW - How did they ever catch fish with only a 150HP motor?

My grandmother turned me on to fishing when I was 3 yrs old. She had permission to fish almost every stock pond for a 50 mile radius. I can remember one day a man gave her some rubber worms and her using them on a cane pole doodle sockin holes in the grass. Caught my 1st big bass when i was 6 on a zeco 33 she weighted 7 lbs by her old cotten scales. Man I miss those days.

Like you I started fishing when I was 3 or as they said when I was old enough to sit with out falling over. All this made me stop and think about all the times I have had fishing and the things that my dad taught me even tho he was only a bank fisherman.

It's been 50 years now, where did the time go?

The one thing I regret is that my dad died when I was 19 and just before I got my first real boat. I sure wish I could have repaid him for all he did for me, but some how I think he is in my boat everytime I go out. It is not the same but it is a good thought.

50 years of living it, loving it, learning it and still doing it!

Larry Nixon is true old school. I have a DVD for Spring fishing of his. Pure greatness on not giving up.

I like the pistol grips for spinner bait rods, am I behind the times?

I remember my brother and I getting up at 4am and grabbing our rods/reels and tackle box, walking to the bus stop and riding the bus to the Mississippi bridge in Memphis, Tn. We would then hike a couple of miles to the nearest oxbow lake where they rented john boats and paddles for like 1.50/day and fish the whole day long. If we caught fish we could call dad when we got back across the bridge and he would come pick us up. If we got skunked it was grab the bus home! Ahh dem waz da days!!