The best gift I remember as a kid - I circled about 15 lures and a tackle box I wanted in the 1988 bass pro shop catalog and when I opened the box under the tree I saw the tackle box and when I opened it all the lures I circled were in there. I wish I had circled the tornado lol !
I remember my first year backpacking. My dad brought me into his shop and handed me a bass pro shops tube. Had a 5' 6" spinning rod in it. We made a pvc rod tube for backpacking and the next day he took me to a store and let me get my first shimano spinning reel. This was an upgrade bigtime from the 1970's fiberglass? Rod and similar age reel that I pretty much slept with
I do miss those days quite a bit sometimes. 1988 was a good year and I remember it well. But anytime I want to think about bygone eras like that, all I have to do is look out across the yard at my Bass Buggy 18. She's the best bassin' boat a guy like me could ever hope for! I think it would be neat if one day your Retro Wagon and my Bass Buggy were side-by-side in the water. I don't think the universe could handle such retro awesomeness, lol.
I had all but the Penn and Mitchell bait casters on both of those pages. The Ambassador 4600 (green one) was my best flipping real during that time. Thanks for the trip way back.
A couple weeks ago I called Bass Pro to see if they put out a catalog for this year's fair. No dice, although the gal I spoke to was very nice and spent some time looking for a catalog for me. Also, was cleaning out my dad's cottage shed and found a bunch of old life vests. Saw the one you're wearing in this video and got curious, so looked on ebay and, oh brother, vintage life vests are a hot commodity! Who would have guessed? BTW, I've got a blue and a black satin jackets with with embroidered bass on the back...will have to take a pic this spring when I get out on the water. Fun episode, Chris...always love looking back through these old catalogs (not THAT old!).
That retro life jacket takes me back! That thing is awesome. WIsh I could be at the Worlds Fishing Fair but kicking it old school with Retro Bassin' is just as good right!
Love the prices! Lol I think Bass Pro rebooted the old style Bass tracker a few years ago! So cool to see how far the industry has come. Great video! Keep ‘em coming bro 👊
Very Cool! Love seeing the old magazines!! Them old tracker boats are friggan sweet!! Ps should be a tackle kit coming your way soon, this time it's got some new in package retro baits 😀
@@RetroBassin oh boy!!! Well I'm glad it's "Parker'd" on ur desk looking forward to you "Rapala'ing" your hands on some of them goodies, a couple things in there mey make you "Dance" 😜 😜 😜
I was in attendance at the dealer part of the '88 World's Fishing Fair before the public portion kicked off...BPS wined and dined us...even had live music for us...Shoji Tabuchi from Branson, MO
We moved to Canada in 94, all my fishing stuff was fly fishing, so I invaded every bargain bin I could find in order to get a bass fishing stock of tackle, the result of that is a ton of my stuff was retro when I got it, now its really super retro.
The store I worked at way back then had happenings like that for free. The big stars were too booked and expensive for our place but we did get some good guys in. We usually had giant crowds to the point of needing traffic control officers. Those were the days.
We are moving onto a lake soon, so have been looking at boats. Specifically Fish N Ski models. You're right, those prices are VERY attractive in comparison. It's strange seeing the flip from what a standard bass boat vs. a pontoon cost back then. Pontoons were over double what a good bass boat were, that's kind of flipped now, unless you look at some of the crazy tri-toons, those get crazy. Love looking through the old magazines!
I still have some BPS hats autographed by. Bill Dance and Roland Martin from 88. The fire Marshall had shut it down when we got there. Walked around the barricades and went in anyway. Drove over 400 miles to get there, already had room reserved and all.
I'm in Arlington this weekend for wrestlemania. Checked out Olson's and Texas Outdoors. Texas Outdoors was depressing because you could tell it used to be awesome. The very minimal tackle he had left was all old school. Maybe worth checking out. I found the old Berkeley lizards and craws at Olson's. I may go back and buy more.
My olde confidence bait was the BPS “Triple Ripple Protein Worm” in the “Fire and Ice” color! I still have some, and they may have some 9” or 10” left. Love your life-vest.
4:05 geez, almost forgot how affordable nice bass boats used to be....you can't even buy a modern 4 stroke 150hp outboard motor for the price of that ENTIRE boat today lol
Getting down to the last of the Mitchell 300A combo's. Those Amber BPS kit boxes were horrible, I had dk. gray a few years later, the flimsy (single center) friction latch, let the lid warp badly. I had the Plano 1152, Phantom Pro, and later on, the perfectly sized 5757 Tournament Pro Drawer box (Modified with a custom leader dispenser and snap back flat latch for the ft. cover.) Blakemore Brush Gripper, but I swear it was called the Brushhog bought in the mid 90's (Before Zoom adopted the name, but I could be wrong) A must have for rivers. You had to rig that Grabber up right, the line runs between the jaws and there had to be enough established line slack between them, I had some elastic cord holding the line slack close to the central hinge spring so you didn't have to fiddle with slack on a quick branch set situation, most guys just tied the line off all wrong, to the central spring. Dog Lure Knocker didn't work in rivers, we made a metal 3-section 13.5' pole with a hefty slotted screw eye that also had a small hook braised onto the business end. Berkeley line stripper/hook sharpener, had one of those. Old Dr. Juice scent commercial: they put it on a broccoli floret, and got a hit.
Those boat prices are unbelievable. Look at the cost of boats today.... Retro, the way I see it, the common man these days, what used to be called the working man back in my day, aren't gonna be able to afford fishing boats. Hell, the national average for a house is 400k! That catalog is truly retro... it's almost all over now.
I’m watching this video right now you just went through the spinner bait section on 1988 and I watched the one on 1991 and I still haven’t seen the old snagless sally wonder why I know they around back then and don’t know about back then cause I never got to go to a bass pro until they built one close to where I live the one in destin fl but they have them all the time 🤔
The sad thing is you can still get those old boats for the price they sold for lol. Resale bot prices are INSANELY overinflated these days. Had to almost double the insurance value on my ‘92 Alumacraft this year. Love the old catalog vids!! Takes a guy back…
I have to agree, that penn baitcaster was trash. Even though I'm a die hard Penn head 😅 I need to dig around, I have a levelmatic 920 I want to send you for some 1960s style fishing.
The best gift I remember as a kid - I circled about 15 lures and a tackle box I wanted in the 1988 bass pro shop catalog and when I opened the box under the tree I saw the tackle box and when I opened it all the lures I circled were in there. I wish I had circled the tornado lol !
That is awesome! Santa brought me a rod or two back in the day.
I remember my first year backpacking. My dad brought me into his shop and handed me a bass pro shops tube. Had a 5' 6" spinning rod in it. We made a pvc rod tube for backpacking and the next day he took me to a store and let me get my first shimano spinning reel.
This was an upgrade bigtime from the 1970's fiberglass? Rod and similar age reel that I pretty much slept with
A friend and I went to the world fishing fair in 88. We drove all night to get there. It was AWESOME!
I do miss those days quite a bit sometimes. 1988 was a good year and I remember it well. But anytime I want to think about bygone eras like that, all I have to do is look out across the yard at my Bass Buggy 18. She's the best bassin' boat a guy like me could ever hope for! I think it would be neat if one day your Retro Wagon and my Bass Buggy were side-by-side in the water. I don't think the universe could handle such retro awesomeness, lol.
That was a fun trip down memory lane
Still sitting on that SWC gift box...
@@RetroBassin I’m excited to see it. 👍🏻
I had all but the Penn and Mitchell bait casters on both of those pages. The Ambassador 4600 (green one) was my best flipping real during that time. Thanks for the trip way back.
I love retro anything fishing or mechanical! Great Video!
I live in Springfield and went Yesterday. Awesome show with the old timers there. Spent alot of Money 😀
The art on the cover is cool. Especially the bass chasing the spinner.
Never knew Ryobi made reels. Learn something new everyday.
Wish I could've been there this time. Alot to do there with everyone showing up too! Great video as always!
A couple weeks ago I called Bass Pro to see if they put out a catalog for this year's fair. No dice, although the gal I spoke to was very nice and spent some time looking for a catalog for me. Also, was cleaning out my dad's cottage shed and found a bunch of old life vests. Saw the one you're wearing in this video and got curious, so looked on ebay and, oh brother, vintage life vests are a hot commodity! Who would have guessed? BTW, I've got a blue and a black satin jackets with with embroidered bass on the back...will have to take a pic this spring when I get out on the water. Fun episode, Chris...always love looking back through these old catalogs (not THAT old!).
That retro life jacket takes me back! That thing is awesome. WIsh I could be at the Worlds Fishing Fair but kicking it old school with Retro Bassin' is just as good right!
I was there and meet Hank Parker.
Beautiful bait caster reels
Love the prices! Lol I think Bass Pro rebooted the old style Bass tracker a few years ago! So cool to see how far the industry has come. Great video! Keep ‘em coming bro 👊
Springfield Mo was so busy today. I was on my way to go spoonbill snagging and I kept seeing charter buses going to and from Bass Pro Shops.
Very Cool! Love seeing the old magazines!! Them old tracker boats are friggan sweet!! Ps should be a tackle kit coming your way soon, this time it's got some new in package retro baits 😀
I got a big, ol' box from Canada sittin' on my desk!
@@RetroBassin oh boy!!! Well I'm glad it's "Parker'd" on ur desk looking forward to you "Rapala'ing" your hands on some of them goodies, a couple things in there mey make you "Dance" 😜 😜 😜
I was in attendance at the dealer part of the '88 World's Fishing Fair before the public portion kicked off...BPS wined and dined us...even had live music for us...Shoji Tabuchi from Branson, MO
We moved to Canada in 94, all my fishing stuff was fly fishing, so I invaded every bargain bin I could find in order to get a bass fishing stock of tackle, the result of that is a ton of my stuff was retro when I got it, now its really super retro.
The store I worked at way back then had happenings like that for free. The big stars were too booked and expensive for our place but we did get some good guys in. We usually had giant crowds to the point of needing traffic control officers. Those were the days.
We are moving onto a lake soon, so have been looking at boats. Specifically Fish N Ski models. You're right, those prices are VERY attractive in comparison. It's strange seeing the flip from what a standard bass boat vs. a pontoon cost back then. Pontoons were over double what a good bass boat were, that's kind of flipped now, unless you look at some of the crazy tri-toons, those get crazy. Love looking through the old magazines!
Hey bud I hope you're having a great day I'm in Springfield at the Bass pro shop
I still have some BPS hats autographed by. Bill Dance and Roland Martin from 88. The fire Marshall had shut it down when we got there. Walked around the barricades and went in anyway. Drove over 400 miles to get there, already had room reserved and all.
I’m here for the “Flip-Thru” 🤠
I still need to get up to the BPS Headquarters and check out the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame!
I'm in Arlington this weekend for wrestlemania.
Checked out Olson's and Texas Outdoors. Texas Outdoors was depressing because you could tell it used to be awesome. The very minimal tackle he had left was all old school. Maybe worth checking out. I found the old Berkeley lizards and craws at Olson's. I may go back and buy more.
Bacon's isn't too far east, good buddy!
Hello I love Pier fishing 🎣 I'm a 80s baby I love seeing this 1988 luers 👍🏼 can you please do a video of 1985 luers please
My olde confidence bait was the BPS “Triple Ripple Protein Worm” in the “Fire and Ice” color! I still have some, and they may have some 9” or 10” left. Love your life-vest.
Great video Chris
Keep up the good work with the videos man
I wish I could of been there!
Abu Garcia green 4600cb $49.97 complete with a lifetime warranty.Awe,the good ole days!
Awesome
Ethel (the 17lb bass) put everything on the map even the Worlds Fishing Fair. 😂
That's a monster for a fish tank!
Have you seen the original 1988 World Fishing promo vid. It’s fantastic.
No! Drop a link, Mike!
@@RetroBassin let me track it down and I will 👍🏼
They started the year I was born. I'll be 50 in December dang I'm old.
4:05 geez, almost forgot how affordable nice bass boats used to be....you can't even buy a modern 4 stroke 150hp outboard motor for the price of that ENTIRE boat today lol
Lot of swimwear models in the Bass Pro catalog! Speaking of retro, the 80s style swimwear shapes and cuts are far superior to what's being worn today.
Never heard of the world's fishing fair I wish I had I definitely would have gone
Getting down to the last of the Mitchell 300A combo's. Those Amber BPS kit boxes were horrible, I had dk. gray a few years later, the flimsy (single center) friction latch, let the lid warp badly. I had the Plano 1152, Phantom Pro, and later on, the perfectly sized 5757 Tournament Pro Drawer box (Modified with a custom leader dispenser and snap back flat latch for the ft. cover.) Blakemore Brush Gripper, but I swear it was called the Brushhog bought in the mid 90's (Before Zoom adopted the name, but I could be wrong) A must have for rivers. You had to rig that Grabber up right, the line runs between the jaws and there had to be enough established line slack between them, I had some elastic cord holding the line slack close to the central hinge spring so you didn't have to fiddle with slack on a quick branch set situation, most guys just tied the line off all wrong, to the central spring. Dog Lure Knocker didn't work in rivers, we made a metal 3-section 13.5' pole with a hefty slotted screw eye that also had a small hook braised onto the business end. Berkeley line stripper/hook sharpener, had one of those. Old Dr. Juice scent commercial: they put it on a broccoli floret, and got a hit.
Those boat prices are unbelievable. Look at the cost of boats today.... Retro, the way I see it, the common man these days, what used to be called the working man back in my day, aren't gonna be able to afford fishing boats. Hell, the national average for a house is 400k! That catalog is truly retro... it's almost all over now.
I’m watching this video right now you just went through the spinner bait section on 1988 and I watched the one on 1991 and I still haven’t seen the old snagless sally wonder why I know they around back then and don’t know about back then cause I never got to go to a bass pro until they built one close to where I live the one in destin fl but they have them all the time 🤔
The sad thing is you can still get those old boats for the price they sold for lol. Resale bot prices are INSANELY overinflated these days. Had to almost double the insurance value on my ‘92 Alumacraft this year.
Love the old catalog vids!! Takes a guy back…
What happened to Eagle fish finders? Did one of the other companies buy it, or?
I’ll be old asf for the 100th anniversary 😭
I have to agree, that penn baitcaster was trash. Even though I'm a die hard Penn head 😅 I need to dig around, I have a levelmatic 920 I want to send you for some 1960s style fishing.
Wow,look at how affordable and inexpensive boats and tackle used to be.
Johnny bought nitro think they were made in Longview tx
What is it about fishing tackle that makes grown men loose their mind and buy more than they could use in 10 lifetimes?
I was there and meet Hank Parker.
I just saw that he was there as well! Did you???
@@RetroBassin No I was there Wednesday when it started. Got picture with him. But for some reason can't post it in comments.