California’s Top 40 Bassers From The Last 30 Years

[WB Staff]

California’s Top 40 Bassers From The Last 30 Years
BY GEORGE KRAMER/SPECIAL TO WESTERN OUTDOOR NEWS

Top-10 below | Full story at WONEWS : https://www.wonews.com/t-FeatureArticle ... 11716.aspx

Dee Thomas reigns over three decades and more of Golden State bass anglers

With the Anglers Marine 30-year anniversary of its Bass-A-Thon (world class bass fishing show, seminar and sales), came the notion to recognize the Top 40 California bass anglers over that similar time span.

Yet, when it came to giving such recognition, there were questions of what criteria should apply? For example, the leading anglers of 30 years ago had generally gained that recognition over a span of preceding years, and that needed to be taken into consideration. And of the more than 80 anglers considered, not all still hold residency in the Golden State. It was decided that was not critical.

Because of the difference in eras, however, it was necessary to try and gauge angler eminence through peer recognition during the most active portions of their careers. Yet, for some current anglers, those careers are still in their early stages.

It was determined that this Top 40 couldn’t just be a case of who had the most earnings, titles, biggest fish or sponsorship deals. In many cases, the farther back you go in time, you discover the top anglers never considered leaving their day jobs to chase a career in professional fishing. The remuneration was nothing like it became over the last dozen years or so.

Neither could a hierarchy be based solely on who is the most familiar to the largest audience. Thirty, 40 and 50 years ago, there were no Go-Pros, Twitter or Facebook, nor was competitive fishing found anywhere in TV Guide (and does anyone even know what that is these days?)

There were no overnight heroes as we find today, for then careers were built week by week, year by year, in the monthly and quarterly magazines and newspapers (not unlike this one) dedicated to outdoor sports.

However, none of the more recent and proven luminaries have been dismissed. In fact, they shine brightly — many for years and years. But in truth, each generation raises the bar — so much so that such a list may look far different 10 years from now. But you’ll just have to wait for that.

In the end, the B.A.A.T (Bass Angler Assessment Team) poured over the candidates, looking for such characteristics as proficiency, sportsmanship and influence, as well as individual contributions to the sport.

For those reasons, we give you our list of the Top 40, (noteworthy) California bass anglers of the last 30 years…


DEE THOMAS

1. Dee Thomas — Who knows what he might have done had he left the produce aisles of the local grocery store and taken his long rod to virgin waters across the country. But even those anti’s who tried to take away his magic, tule-dipping poles in the 1970s couldn’t halt Thomas’ impact on bass fishing. Fixed-line flipping of, course, led to long rod pitching, but it wasn’t all in the length. His ability to present and control a bait on the fall was uncanny and his observations on bass positioning are as true today as ever. Even now, the bass fishing world still feels the ripples of his presence, having raised the maximum rod length to 10 feet for the Bassmasters. More than 40 years after the introduction of the Flipping Stik, we still revere the man.

2. Aaron Martens — At times enigmatic, the fact is, this bass fishing savant just catches them — garnering more than 75 top-10 finishes and nine titles on the national scene. He has 4 runner-ups in the Classic and was three times a BASS Angler of the Year. Even with that, his more than $3 million in earnings doesn’t even include his three U.S. Open titles.

3. Skeet Reese — Among the best known of the western emigrants to the national scene, Skeet has more than $3 million in winnings from 8 major titles and a Bassmasters Classic championship, while garnering more than 65 top-10 finishes. A B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year, he probably should have had two more if the host org had not changed the rules on him. His 19 years as a pro say it all.

4. Gary Dobyns — An epic tournament career, primarily in the West, with a record number of wins (including a U.S. Open), but also a mover and shaker as a tournament promoter, as well as founder and primary designer for Dobyns Rods. One of the first Bassmaster Classic qualifiers when BASS first came to California.


5. Mike Folkestad — Already recognized by both the Bass Fishing and the Fresh Water Fishing HOF’s, this three-time U.S. Open winner, B.A.S.S. champion and record-holder has been among the best bass anglers in California for four decades.

6. Dave Gliebe — Some say he out-Dee Thomas-ed the Flippin’ King himself, at one point winning back-to-back-to back on three different circuits. There may not have been a better pitch caster — long rod or short — in his prime and his tournament big bass winnings remain unmatched.

7. Bill Murphy — While some look at his book, In Pursuit of Giant Bass, as somewhat dated, the fact is, the late “Lunker Bill” was the preeminent big bass catcher in San Diego for more than three decades and his book reflects more than 40 years of structure fishing observation.

8. Don Iovino — Credited with popularizing the doodling (shaking) finesse technique with its attendant brass sinkers and glass beads, this IGFA Hall of Famer’s biggest achievement was to link the angling technique to sonar use on the most heavily fished waters.

9. Dick Trask — The developer, if not the originator, of the split-shotting method, the late SoCal icon found a way to fish contours with minimalist gear — 6-pound test, a no. 1 hook, swimming a small plastic worm or reaper. Clearly underappreciated — but not here.

10. Bobby Barrack — For years, Barrack, frog fishing and the Delta have been nearly synonymous, but he has been a highly successful tournament angler, willing bass fishing educator, and advocate for water resources.

[ILW]

Regardless if I ever have agreed with Kramers list or not. I am going to miss reading them.

Unless he is going to still doing the list even though he has retired the blog.