Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation: Bass Fishing Clothing I Wanted But Never Owned

I never owned a patch vest.

Or a pair of Wrangler Angler jeans.

Or the Woo Daves signature series shoes from Bass Pro Shops.

Never even coveted Ray Scott’s fringed suede jacket.

But there was still lots of bass fishing clothing that I wanted.

I became a very distant and casual observer of the bass tournament scene in the 1980s, and then finally graduated to club-level fishing in the 1990s. That means I’m not old enough to recall the tournament jumpsuits of the early days, but I nevertheless lived through quite a few pro fishing fashion trends.

Because I was effectively an “outsider” – no one in my family could tell a crankbait from second base – I wanted some signifiers to show that I belonged. Of course, I didn’t know where to get any such garb, nor did I have the proper connections to get me any, but I knew it was out there. Mostly that came through fishing magazines like Bassmaster and In-Fisherman. Here are some that I remember most longingly.

The first baitcasting rod I ever owned (circa 1983) was a Berkley Lightning Rod, 5 feet 2 inches of pistol-gripped glory. I felt like I’d joined the bigtime and was ready to make my bassing reputation, even though I’d never actually stepped in a bass boat or caught a largemouth over 4 pounds. Champion pro Ken Cook was touting them, and while I got to fish with Ken in Mississippi in 1997 and vacation with him in Escanaba in 2013, I never got the matching hat.

Daiwa pioneered the “team” mentality in bass fishing and they had a stable of top pros – including Rick Clunn, Denny Brauer and Guido Hibdon -- to promote their technique-specific rods. I bought the Guido Hibdon all-around spinning rod in Florida sometime in the late 80s or early 90s and caught hundreds of fish on it before accidentally snapping it under the cleat of my first bass boat in ’97 or ’98. Once again, I never got the hat.

While there was a debate in the 80s about who was the better pro angler, Roland or Rick Clunn, there was no debate about who had the cooler jacket. Roland’s silvery Shimano outerwear fit his glittering personality. If these were ever actually for sale, I didn’t know about it or see any advertising. I would’ve bought one for sure.

By the time I got into club-level fishing in the mid-90s, some of my more experienced peers had graduated to the Cabela’s Guidewear rainsuit as the ultimate sign of a serious angler. As far as I know, companies like Simms and AFTCO did not then offer a comparable option. One company that lots of the pros wore at the time, however, was Omega, which seems to have faded from view altogether.

I have no recollection of Bob Cobb or anyone else wearing this “Press” hat, but I’m going to lobby my bosses at the B.A.S.S. mothership to consider a reintroduction. We’ve tried other options to identify ourselves on the water, including “B.A.S.S. Media” flags (tend to get blown off lightpoles) and bright yellow safety shirts (just look goofy).

I’m sure I’ve missed some other dandies. Don’t worry – since I got into tournament fishing circa 1995, and particularly after I started writing a decade later, I’ve accumulated a ridiculous amount of fishing-related clothing. Some of it is highly functional and some is unattractive bordering on unwearable. Still, the 1990 Pete Robbins who craved that wardrobe has literally fished his wish.

If you want to learn more about bass fishing history and see some vintage gear, check out The Bass Fishing Archives.