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Back in the day....

3.1K views 22 replies 17 participants last post by  koolaid2313  
#1 ·
Here are some pics of gramps and the fish he would haul out of lake michigan. The love of fishing runs in my entire family.

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#9 ·
There wasn't any spectra fiber braid, japanese fluorcarbon that costs $40 100yd spool. Or supermono b.s. People were fishing with thick nylon line on baitcast equipment without stupid magnets to stop over runs. They were catching bigger fish! The BASS limit was 10 fish. We can't catch a limit of 5! No GPS 1,000,000 megapixel Lowrance. I think we have to remember some times we suck compared to these guys that carved out the lures that we take for granted today. The jerkbait was a rapala with wire wrapped around the center hook to make it suspend. The Zara Spook is the Real McCoy. The L.C Sammy is a knock off. I love these pictures because I always realize that I have a long way to go as a fisherman. Thanks for posting the window to my future, and what I'm striving to be.
 
#18 ·
joelreiser said:
I'm trying to find the tubs of smelt we use to take out of Lake Michigan. Keep this thread going. Wait to you see these pics!!!
I used to go for the smelt every year. Boy does that bring back memories. You are only a true smelter if you bite the head off the first smelt of the night! Did you do it????
 
#20 ·
The smelt don't come into the harbors as much any more. Everyone had to bite the head off the first smelt they caught. They tasted SOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo good. We'd bread em and deep fry 'em at the lake front. Easiest fish to clean. Just use your thumb and push on the belly. Guts came right out. Throw the whole smelt in the breading. Drop into oil. What about the bones? The bones got so brittle in the oil. Eat the head and all. MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Wash it down with some Schlitz.
 
#21 ·
Big Bass Lee said:
The smelt don't come into the harbors as much any more. Everyone had to bite the head off the first smelt they caught. They tasted SOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo good. We'd bread em and deep fry 'em at the lake front. Easiest fish to clean. Just use your thumb and push on the belly. Guts came right out. Throw the whole smelt in the breading. Drop into oil. What about the bones? The bones got so brittle in the oil. Eat the head and all. MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Wash it down with some Schlitz.
Those were the good old days. Man that was a long time 25+ years ago.
 
#23 ·
fishkid said:
dang those are some priceless pictures! glad you can cherish those from now on! :D
Thanks, and I do cherish all of the memories. I have some other pics that I need to get my hands on...he once lost a boat and trailer into a ditch :shock: