How did you get into Bass Fishing?

[nofearengineer]

What is your earliest fishing memory that was really important as far as turning you into a fishing fool?

For me:

Waaaaaay back in 1979, when I was just a lad of 11 years age...my stepdad dragged me along to Terre Haute, Indiana for a bass fishing "seminar." Now, this was when professional bass fishing was really in its infancy, at least as far as media coverage. So the really big names in the "sport" were unbelievably approachable.

To this day, I remember watching in rapt attention as guys like Al Lindner explained the benefits of catch-and-release as we watched a film (videotape was also in its infancy) of him catching a 50-inch muskie. (He did get a little embarassed when asked if he had released that fish...he honestly admitted "no".)

I also got to see a short film by Buck Perry, with him trolling his trusty "spoonplugs." It oughtta be required viewing in schools, I tell ya.

I learned a "new" knot...the Palomar, which has been my trusted friend for almost 30 years now (I can tie it in the dark...yep).

I remember learning how to Texas Rig a plastic worm, and watching the guy fish it in a 30-foot-long, 6-foot-deep aquarium full of bass to show how the bass would hit it on the fall.

I learned so much that weekend that I was bitten for life. Those guys were like GODS to me. Man...I gots ta get me some kids, so I can take 'em fishing.