Who is/was your mentor.....?

Kelly Ripa · Post by **Kelly Ripa** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 7:42 pm

I'd have to say My dads best friend Roy Gatz taught me the most about hunting and fishing where I grew up in the S.F. Bay area/Delta/Clearlake...Secondly when I was in my later twenties and on Marlin Spencer Of Casitas fame taught me (or left me questioning) the quest for Big fish and there habits...... I still call him and we always pick up where we left off "Pursuit ".....And I always thought that Larry Nixion was the best as I liked his style and personality. Who got you here?

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 7:48 pm

My friend Bo Viescas got me started bass fishing, and taught me most of what I know. He was a hard *** with me, and never let me slide with being sloppy or lazy. "Be ready" he'd yell if I seemed to slack off or lose concentration. "Stand up, or you'll miss the strike". He was tough, but he taught me to fish, not just soak a line. He made me learn how to use a trolling motor, and how to find fish.
He and I still fish together, and we still try to beat each other's brains out. But it's all in fun. And his son, Jake, puts us both to shame now.

mike goodwin · Post by **mike goodwin** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:03 pm

Kelly, Theres only 1 guy in my book. That is the best bass fisherman ever. This guy is also my #1 hero, my DAD. We were raised in Bakersfield, fishin Lake Isebella, and Lake Success. All we ever did was fish for bass in the 1960's. My Dad has forget more about bass fishin than Clint and I will ever know. My Dad & Mom deserves all the credit for keepin us out of trouble by taking us bass fishin all the time. My Dad just had his 82nd birthway Dec. 5th. I owe all my success to my bass fishin mentor my Dad. What a Man....John Goodwin's son .......Mike Goodwin

Schneider Fishing · Post by **Schneider Fishing** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:09 pm

Still trying to find one.
At this point I'm trying to teach myself with books, videos and the ocassional question and answers with folks on this board and at tackle shops. Every once in a while I pay for a guide trip or fish a Pro/Am as an Am. Sometimes I draw somebody I can really learn from and sometimes I learn what not to do.

Mick Karshner · Post by **Mick Karshner** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:09 pm

My Grandpa. He took me to Lake Success and we would troll with Hellbenders and Waterdogs (crankbaits), or drift with black Mann's Jelly Worms. He didn't compete but fished for the fish fry. I learned a lot from Gramps and now when I'm out competing, I swear I can feel his presence sometimes. A couple years back I was on my way to Lake Success to fish a NewBass tournament and stopped at the cemetary on Rd. 190 where Gramps is buried. I parked the truck and boat and walked over to his stone, spoke a few words, headed to the lake and my first fish of the day was a 9 pounder. Went on to win the tournament. Pretty cool. It felt like I had Gramps lookin' over my shoulder.

Dan P · Post by **Dan P** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:32 pm

My father got me started fishing for trout when I was younger. We would have are annual camping trips up in mammoth and all I would do is fish with him the whole time. As I got older a few of my friends got me into bass fishing. We would watch Don Iovino's Doodling for bass and Finesse Fishing for bass, over and over. When I was 17 I went to his house to purchase some worms and I was so excited to meet him. He was very friendly and didn't hesitate to share his knowledge on how to catch em at our local lakes. And thatâ€™s what really got me hooked with bass fishing.

Dan

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:59 pm

In life, My father

In fishing, Ron Cervenka

Brian Linehan · Post by **Brian Linehan** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 9:34 pm

In the very beginning, my brother and I learned how to fish from Rich Tauber, then as we started figuring things out, guys like Mike Brakebill and Aaron were more or less the guys who we learned a lot from. Couldn't ask for better guys to learn from.

Kevin Shin · Post by **Kevin Shin** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:18 pm

Mentor for fishing??
I need ONE I want ONE,,,,seriously.

onthefly · Post by **onthefly** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:44 pm

I would say my good friend and fishing buddy Danny Kadota

tunaman · Post by **tunaman** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:18 pm

I'm with Kevin and Robert... I'm looking, if anyone is interested in taking an enthusiastic older guy under their wings!

My dad (God rest his soul) got me interested, but it was only in an extremely casual and occasional capacity. I'm still thankful for the times I had with him fishing streams, lakes, and the occasional excursion on the ocean. I still remember one of our best outings... a trip up the coast, stopping at the San Simeon pier and fishing with 5-hook ganions, and slamming the little red snappers! He was so tickled that we were catching so many, most of the time bringing up more than one at a time. GOD I MISS HIM!!!

I later got into saltwater fishing, due to the size, quantities and voracity of the saltwater species, and progressed to the offshore pelagics due to the incredible fight. I'd still fish tuna and tails every day if they were readily available, but about two years ago a very good ex-friend got me to go along with he and his wife to bass fish. I'd always shied away from bass fishing, much like I stayed away from golf because I'd selected bowling instead, and of course I found bass fishing (and golf) to be extremely enjoyable and have their own unique merits. To make a long story short(er), I got hooked pretty badly. My friend and I have since parted ways, but I'm extremely thankful that he turned me on to this sport, as I can't forsee a future without it included in some capacity.

Sorry for the rant, just got me a bit melancholy...

Schneider Fishing · Post by **Schneider Fishing** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:32 am

Heck,
I am even willing to pay some entry fees for a mentor.

C J · Post by **C J** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:09 am

Chris Carpenter was my first team tournament partner, and I spent a couple of years as his AAA on the Pro-Am circuits. That guy can flat out fish for anything. Not only taught me about bass, but tuna and yellowtail also. He had lived all over the West and had knowledge of any water you could find. He's since moved to Oregon and has been dominating tournaments up there ever since.
Of course when I was first starting I got to share the boat with guys like Kay Tsurasato, Jeff Taibi, Rick Grover, Bob Coulter, Mike Reynolds, Bill Donaleski, Bobby G, and so on, so I learned from some of the best.

DeltaBound · Post by **DeltaBound** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:29 am

CJ, I know Chris Carpenter real well. We were in the same club years ago and we teamed up for many tournaments back in the late 70's and 80's.

CharlieS. · Post by **CharlieS.** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:37 am

Ohh memories,lol... Well. Bill Donaleski sold me my first bass boat from Anglers Marine , and Bobby G led myself and my wife around with what/where..etc.. Was a situation of we used to have a 100 hp 16ft fish and ski. Our first event at Castaic , Bobby let me know where we should start , we take off towards the area, he flies by (in a real bass boat!!) goes to that same spot and by the time we pull up, he is netting a fish!

Damn!! So that next day...I order a 202 Champion with a 225..Looking back I think ,(conspiracy theory) Wonder if the whole thing wasnt planned by Bill and Rick G. Laughing-I must get even

Charlie

C J · Post by **C J** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:04 am

Yeah Charlie, I've seen a lot of fish/ski guys over the years get a taste and then take the BIG plunge. Bobby knew what he was doing, of course I don't think you could have caught him even in that 202. He was a crazy driver in his day.

Hey Delta, just don't let Chris know I said that mentor stuff about him, it will go to his head..LOL. I need to return his call form a couple of days ago, we still keep in touch.

Gator · Post by **Gator** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:04 am

My dad - hands down. Taught me about fishing, hunting, and life in general.

ash · Post by **ash** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:36 am

All the SOCB Boyz and any one who took me out in thier boat. Each and everyone of them have offered me on-going advice and learning. For jigs I booked a Two Day Guide trip with Cooch all that I wanted to do was throw jigs and understand them in a deeper regard. That is what got me started as a "Jig Fisherman"

There are too many guys to name and 99.999% I have met here on Westernbass.com.

Darkman · Post by **Darkman** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:10 am

I didnt grow up fishing(I started at 17, surf fishing is still to this day my favorit) but when I started to bass fish it was hard to find any one,(salt water guys are grumpy, harsh and well full of salt but they are the most open to any thing you ask) I learned to split shot and tube fish from dan warms Bazzclazz videos and also learned a lot from don iovinos videos(i still get all excited every time I meet him) now I owe alot to Ron Cervenka who got me interested in tourneys and with his unselfish help(If you ever meet me I ask a ton of questions and write down every thing)

at this time I get help from people I met on the net(terry battisti and ron mukai,and I mean a ton of help) but my mentor is a very young man named Noah Cook who will I know will go to great things he has helped increase my learning curve for not only our local lakes and tounneys but to understanding why I need to follow my gut and always instilling the most important lure in my bag...Confidence.

So to noah Cook and ron cervenka thank you both have helped me in a way I cannot re pay and to tater a big thanks in every way(because of him my drop shot is rig and confidence is where it is )
and to all who have helped me a greatfull thanks

Dave Wilson · Post by **Dave Wilson** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:45 am

I blame Mike Brakebill for talking me into trying bass fishing in the first place. Todd Holder gave me valuable input too- like how to put a hook into a plastic worm, and what rods to use. Jim Mason for showing me jigs, Mike Reese for throwing used Jig trailers from the front of boat back to me to try, and for taking me to Cachuma to catch my 1st spinnerbait and jig fish. Randy Y. for taking me on my first successful tournament, Beppu and Adrian for teaching me how to throw a huge worm king, and how to rig it with trailers and etc. It their fault. I was happily catching a lot of sea bass on worm kings and fish traps until they stepped in...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 12:03 pm

I have a feeling this might get long - in the spirit of the holidays and family - here goes.

I guess I had mentors on two fronts for this one.

First Front - Fishing
My grandfather taught me to fish and nurtured my love for the sport. He and my grandmother would take me trout fishing every chance they got and sometimes even when there wasnâ€™t time, they made time for it. I can remember one trip to the June Lake loop when we were camping outside of Silver Lake. The stock truck came and loaded the lake with troutâ€¦ so I put down my fly rod and ran over to the camp and grabbed my bait rods. Granted I was only about 11 or 12 so I was still working on actually figuring out the fish. However, my grandfather taught me that fresh stocked trout arenâ€™t going to eat bait â€“ but, they eat the heck out of a lure. So I tied on my best Green with Yellow and Black Algea patterned Super Dupers and proceeded to knock the snot out of these trout. 10 Fish in 10 minutes. I believe it was a 10 fish limit back then. Then I caught his limit for him too! 20 fish in a matter of a half an hourâ€¦ all the while 30 other anglers within 100 yards of us caught maybe 20 fish between all of them. Of course, they were using worms â€“ and Zekes floating bait and marshmallows etc. The funny part is as we walked away, I saw a guy catch a fish and I yelled over to him â€“ Hey, whatâ€™d you catch that on. WHOOOOOOOOO WHEEEEâ€¦. Never saw my grandpa get so mad. I guess since I just put on a fish catching display he (my grandpa) thought the comment might have been seen as a derogatory comment. He eventually got over it and that story is one of my best young fishing memories.

Second Front - Competition
My second mentor would have to be the same as some of yours. My father. He didnâ€™t teach me much about fishing â€“ actually nothing. But, he made me a competitor. I was 6 when I started racing BMX bicycles and from day 1 he said if we were going to do it, we were going to do it right. He had me training 4 to 5 days a week. Even after a long day of work for himâ€¦ heâ€™d take me to the hills to ride my bike straight up a hill. Or to the local high schoolâ€¦ to do â€œwind sprintsâ€

Margaret Lesinsky · Post by **Margaret Lesinsky** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 12:41 pm

Art Berry, he's a great teacher and a great guy to spend the day with.

tunaman · Post by **tunaman** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 12:49 pm

Agreed - I had the opportunity to fish with him a couple of weeks ago... what a great guy! I learned a lot, and had a blast.

DanWarme · Post by **DanWarme** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 1:15 pm

My Dad.
Well actually my Mom might more correctly be the root.
I was maybe 4 or 5 and my dad was going fishing, something he didn't do too often. My mom said, why don't you take Daniel with you!
My dad didn't want to. I was gonna fuss and fidget, and want snacks and go to the john. Well, long story short, He takes me with him.... and he had to do all of that stuff. I wouldn't move. I was locked into that bobber and didn't want to budge.

So for me it was from day one. I was hooked and fishing was all I could talk or think about. Dad would take me fishing sometimes, but not near enough for my taste. He just didn't do it too often. To be fair to him, he nearly died and my grandfather did drown when their boat capsized on Lake Mille Lacs in Minnesota on a fishing trip before I was born. Puts a damper on the fishing urge. But he was able to expose me to it in spite of that tragedy. So while he never really qualified as a mentor because he never was that much of a fisherman, my dad is the one who got the ball rolling.

From there, I would learn from any source I could find. Books, magazines, TV shows, (remember American Sportsman?) Videos, seminars, neighbors, friends. I spent every moment I could with a man named Ed Marsh when I was in Jr. High in Colordao. He taught me quite abit about flyfishing and fly tying. It wasn't until the mid-80's when I got my first bass boat that I was able to start doing some real fishing and real learning. Experience is far and away the best teacher and I was a far better fisherman back when I was doing 100+ days a year on the water. So for me, the bulk of my angling education was self taught, via the school of trial and error. And error, and error.... But that didn't mean I wouldn't learn from someone else if I had the chance.

I have been lucky enough to learn from every man that I filmed on Video. These guys are all fantastic anglers, which is why I got them on video in the first place. (You don't have to be compeating on BASS or FLW to be a great angler). They are:

Gary Harrison
Dave Nollar
Rick Butler
Dennis Wright
Dee Thomas
Bobby Garland
Garry Garland
and Dick Trask.

Several partners showed me things as well: Harry Jioras, Lee Hunt, Randy Gardner, Eric Wong, & Gary Gerber, all a great source of information.
Even some competitors showed me some things, although I don't think they intended to! lol You could do a lot worse than spend some time observing fishermen like Aaron, Jay Poore, Mike Hart, Todd Holder, Mike Brakebill, John Viazanko, or Greg Stump to name just a very few.

All of these people I have a special debt of gratitude for what I have learned from them. With some, it may have been just a tidbit or two of information. With others, it might have been a whole world openning up. But all of them passed along something worthwhile. And while none of them ever really fit the bill as "mentor" per se, I still owed them a debt of thanks.

Hope I can do the same some day.

big_gorilla · Post by **big_gorilla** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 2:11 pm

Charlie you have to let that go. I fish with Bobby all the time I have to teach him new things all the time. You know how old school he is. He is a good stick and a great partner.

I wish my dad took me fishing. I was fortunate to get involved in it on my own but I must admit alot of the guys I fish against today I learn things from. I always keep my eyes, ears and mind open when I talk to these guys I compete against.

Happy Holiday's to you and Sue.

Happy Holiday's to everyone.

CharlieS. · Post by **CharlieS.** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 2:29 pm

Ohhh I just laugh about it..been great times..kinda a crack up ! He is a great friend,like pretty much all the guys in this hobby/sport . Henry? That you? Danng! They let any one in here!!!

big_gorilla · Post by **big_gorilla** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 2:55 pm

Yeah. I figured they let anyone on here when I saw your name up.

So what are and Glenn fishing this year?

CharlieS. · Post by **CharlieS.** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 3:41 pm

Havent been on water yet this year with him. Looks like Jan starts ,which ever one. How about you two? I spoke to BobbyG,not too happy about the finals being out of ClearLake? Charlie

fishinman · Post by **fishinman** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:35 pm

My DAD: To this day he still says he created 2 fishing maniacs, I have one brother who is an avid surf (striper and bluefish) fisherman back on long Island New York. If you don't know me and you fish castaic I'm the guy with the 461vs with purple stripes on my 150 efi Merc. I'm their just about every weekend!!

big_gorilla · Post by **big_gorilla** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:43 pm

Yeah we weren't happy about the switch so we decided we were going to go out and support Chris Johnson.

I'm headed to Castaic this weekend to see how bad it looks. I'm taking the camera to get plenty of pictures.

Hope to see you out there some time. If you want to go out and fish some time give me a call.

CharlieS. · Post by **CharlieS.** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 6:40 am

Will do Henry..Looks like I be doing a solo to start the season ,the same weekend Glen be on vacation ,Two different circuits start on that sat, I be at DV that same sunday with Keith. Same with me...give a call or something after the holidays..I go sneak away!! Charlie

chris ball · Post by **chris ball** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 10:53 am

back in 1994 i was in my 8ft bass pro shops bantam with a 14lb thrust trolling motor throwing a blade and met a guy that would forever change how i looked at fishing and life in general.

after getting to know him and talking about fishing for hours and hours ( wich we still do to this very day ) we started fishing together and the first thing i noticed when i got in his boat for the first time was the bald spot in the carpet on the front deck of his boat ..wich told me right of the bat that this guy was serious about what he did and loved to do wich was just fish.

after two years of fishing and him figureing out he could trust me we fished our first tournement together and won it..what a blast! after that it was game on..after many big wins and some not so memorable days on the water and some very crazy times on and of the water that we could write a book on.(wich we may just do sometime!!) we are still going strong and more than likely will keep doing it until we cant stand up anymore.

have we had our times you bet we did and still do to this day but to be a true team and still have the fire to get up day after day with the same guy in the boat and have the same common goal is a true testament to our friendship..unlike some of the teams today wich run the flavor of the month partner program.we have withstood the test of time and all the b.s that goes with this game

this person i am talking about has also taught me the true meaning of freindship and loylaty along with dedication and never giving in, his name is bobby barrack and to this day he is really my only true friend and mentor.

now with that being said i will go out today put my sled in the water, run over his best spot twice and kick his *** on the water with a bunch of 4lbers.

see you on the river
chris ball

Team Davies · Post by **Team Davies** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 6:01 pm

My father taught me how to fish and I was able to teach my son how to fish. Then my son got me hooked on bass fishing and has been teaching me ever since.

Team Davies
DeLynn

Guy G · Post by **Guy G** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 6:27 pm

I'm a lurker, I'll admit it! However, I felt that this one deserved a response to give credit, where credit is due.

Like a lot of us, it was my father who instilled upon me the roots of of most of my values, intrests, likes and dislikes. Most good, some bad.

One of the good, was the love of the outdoors and more specifically fishing in the outdoors. It wasn't until I was an adult, with two sons of my own, that I realized how much of a sacrifice my father made to take my two brothers and I fishing on a regular basis. After my first outing with my 2 boys, then ages 6 and 3, I called my father and thanked him for all of his patience and understanding when he took us fishing. I realized that he didn't get any quality fishing in during those trips because he was too busy baiting, tying, unsticking, rod and reel retrieving and taking care of everything else that could go wrong. As an adult, I was able to recognize my father's passion for fishing and could fully appreciate what he did for my brothers and I.

For most of my life, I had no real idea what a bass was. I fished for trout, stripers, catfish and most deep sea varieties. Then one day, while at Havasu, I accidently caught a largemouth bass. I had to ask the guy in the boat next mine what it was. After that, I knew there was something else in that lake beside the normal fare and when fishing was slow for those, I went after that bass..........

Unsuccessfully.................... Tme, after time, after time...........

I enrolled in a bass fishing class at College of the Canyons, "Introduction to Bass Fishing in Southern California." The instructor was friendly, knowledgable and extremely helpful. During the class, he made several references to the Won Bass Pro Am circuit and touted how open they were to beginners and what a great format for learning it was. At the final class, I asked the instructor about how to get started. Not only did he tell me how to get started, he invited me to join him in the upcoming February as his AAA partner for the first WON PRO AM tournament (Shasta) of the season. Because I work in an industry where there is little tolerance for mediocrity or ineptness, I was very apprehensive, had no bass fishing experience to speak of, and felt that people might laugh at me because of my equipment and lack of both knowledge and skill. He assured me that would not be the case.

To make a long story short, I went with him, there was an unbelievable heat wave going on, and fishing was off the hook. We had two great days of pre fish and my tournament draws were Aaron Martens and Larry Hopper. Both Aaron and Larry treated me great right from the start and made me a part of their team. They talked to me, shared bait and equipment and never once laughed at, or belittled me. And as I said, fishing was off the hook!!!

What a great experience! I was forever hooked! I fished Won Pro Ams for about 5 years strait after that with what I consider to be great success. I learned so much from so many that I can't even begin to recall. I was fortunate to fish with several people on multiple occassions. Amongst them, Aaron a couple of more times, Skeet Reese, Dan Frazier, Leroy Bortalero, Kevin "Hollywood" Johnson, Bob Simmons, and several more who's names I cannot recall at this moment. Each and every Pro, especially those that I fished with multiple times, who's back seat I was fortunate enough to sit on taught me so much, (too bad I couldn't absorb and retain it all).

Despite all the big names that I had, and could have drawn, the one guy however, that I always wanted to draw for a tournament, but never did, was my fishing instructor.

Thank you Ron Cervenka for your interest and dedication to this sport. You have forever impacted my life in a positive way. I don't think it stops there, I think it is exponential in nature and can only hope that it will impact others, through me, for many years to come!

This past October, after the Tri-States, at Lake Havasu, I took my two year old twins fishing for the first time. They each caught a ton of blue gill, on their own. Okay, okay, they needed some help!

My daughter wasn't so thrilled with the idea and cried evertime she caught one. However, I saw in my son's eyes, what Ron, Aaron and Larry must've seen in mine when I caught, on purpose, my bass that weekend.

I didn't do any fishing that day.................. I didn't care........

Merry Christmas all, God bless,

Guy Gutierrez

JohNNy Utah · Post by **JohNNy Utah** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 6:59 pm

I've got to agree with J.A.
South Orange County Bassmasters as a whole gave me a ton of knowledge and a whole lot of fun in the process.

Dave Schreck · Post by **Dave Schreck** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:09 pm

Gotta say Dad! he used to bring big bags back from his old club tourneys in the late 70's.. I thought he was a bass legend! He showed me the basics. Thanks Dad!

Ron C · Post by **Ron C** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:59 pm

â€¦it was my father who first introduced me to fishing when I was four years old. My dad took my brothers and me to Cachuma Lake (which was also only four years old at the time) and we spent the day fishing out of one of their wooden rental boats catching hundreds of blue gill on meal worms behind the island.

As a young boy and into my teens, my family went to Convict Lake every summer, where I was death to those stocked trout (and an occasional brown).

As I mentioned in a different thread, I caught my very first bass (also at Cachuma Lake) when I was 13 years old and that changed my life. I would still go trout fishing in the Sierras, but a three pound bass blew the doors off of even the best trout that I had ever caught.

Fast forward to the late 70â€™s - A buddy and I went to the old H. Warner Buck Outdoors Show at the Anaheim Convention Center (the one where Wilbur the wrestling bear performed). There, on a bass demo tank, was a very young sixteen year old kid giving a seminar on bass fishing. This kid said that if we bought one of these rods, one of these reels, and some Mr. Twister purple Phenom worms, we could catch bass anywhere. Well, my buddy and I each bought one of those rods, one of those reels, and a bunch of those worms and we went to Lake Casitas in my buddyâ€™s 12-foot Valco every weekend for three months and never got bit. You see, the old H. Warner Buck show was in January, and while my buddy and I were throwing to the bank, the fish were behind us in 65 feet of water. But once March arrived, Pow, we started catching the snot out of the bass. Man that kid really knew what he was talking about. His name? Rich Tauber, of course. In a matter of months, I had become a full-blown bass addict.

And then early one morning, while I was working uniformed patrol on the graveyard shift, I happened to drive past an opened garage and could not believe my eyes. There, standing in a garage that was a wall-to-wall tackle store, was a bearded man whom I immediately recognized and had read volumes about in countless bass fishing publications. I parked my black and white police car, got out, walked up, and introduced myself to the living legend himself, Mr. Don Iovino. The look on his face was priceless. You'd have thought that I had just caught him trying to rob a bank. After telling him that I was a beginning bass fisherman and that I knew of his great (and many) accomplishments, he gave a sigh of relief and said â€œPleased to meet you, sonâ€

Shawn R. · Post by **Shawn R.** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 10:01 am

I pretty much taught myself having to beg anyone in my family to take me fishing! It also helped moving practically on MV lake in 1981 and fishing from shore everyday. That being said, i met and started fishing with Dick Trask in the 90's i didnt get to spend nearly enough time with the man but what i learned was priceless. The guy could flat out stick fish like no one i have ever seen. He's the one that had me throw away all my brass and glass and go to plain lead, also talked me into keeping my paper graph on my old Champ. You guys think only Big Baits, Big Fish??? Trask would prove you wrong! It was an honor that night when i was in my boat and he in his boat calling me every name in the book as i was on the spot smoking him and his buddy. He was joking of course, but you never know with him! Castaic is not the same without seeing him, although he actually left the area years before he passed.

Ron C · Post by **Ron C** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 10:26 am

...not only did he "invent" one of the most effective techniques for catching bass, he was an absolute character.

One evening when I was visiting Don Iovino, Trask walked in. Don and his family had just finished eating dinner and there was a plate with half a steak remaining. Dick turned to Darlene and asked "Is anybody going to eat that?" As you might imagine, Darlene was a bit taken by Dick's question and said "Well, no." Dick promptly sat down and finished off the half-eaten steak. We all stood there in amazement and busted out laughing. Trask was an interesting guy, to say the least.

At his Memorial service at Castaic Lake, many such stories were told. We then launched our boats and had a procession, dropping a memorial marker on "Trask Hump", along with a rod and reel. (It might even be out of the water right now).

Although Dick was not necessarily one of my mentors (per se), his splitshotting technique netted me my biggest bass to date and has accounted for several of my tournament wins over the years.

Thanks for sparking the memories Shawn, and God Bless You Dick Trask.

Shawn R. · Post by **Shawn R.** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 10:50 am

Yeah what a guy for sure!! I heard rumors around the town of some of his adventures?? He of course denied them all! We fished a few tournies together, him showing up at 9pm the night before with nothing rigged (boat or rods). Then a good nights sleep in the "Burban" around the corner from the lake.
Take care and god bless Ron and everyone!

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