Oldest Plastic Worms Contest

Tony Lain · Post by **Tony Lain** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:43 pm

Organizing my tackle for the new season and found a bunch of old classics. Who can top this pack of oldie but goodies? Producto Lure 9" Tournament worms, color "motor oil" - 1981. Daaammmnn...

fishinman · Post by **fishinman** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:52 pm

go to action tackle just off sepulveda by the 118 freeway Val has stuff in his shop probly back from days before castaic was opened!

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:57 pm

Jeff,
Do you have a phone number for Action Tackle?

Ron C · Post by **Ron C** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 5:01 pm

Valâ€™s Action Tackle
15338 Chatsworth St.
Mission Hills, CA 91345
(818) 898-2177

Lance · Post by **Lance** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 5:10 pm

Somewhere I have a plastic worm thats Zebra striped, I remember motor oil. I aslo found a bright Orange "fishback" and a Rebel Crawdad crank (is isnt made anymore)

MCSPIN · Post by **MCSPIN** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 5:38 pm

I have a 2 pack of Mann's Jelly worms. Don't know the date, but my dad gave it to me years ago.

Gary

DAKINE198 · Post by **DAKINE198** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 5:58 pm

before there was robo zippers there was da ringworm. Manns Jelly worms in Strawberry and Blueberry and white stingray grubs. Some mister twisters in a shad body with a funky looking jighead but I cant remember what they were called.

Greg E. · Post by **Greg E.** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:09 pm

I have an un-open pack of "Burke erthworms" in grape circa the 1960's. I also have an un-open pack of "Creme" in black also from the 60's..

As far as I know my oldest worm in my actual boat would be some 1989 4" Fluttercraft clear/blue flake. I bought a ton of them in the eighties and still have some. Also have some "Morgans" from the late eighties.

Did I just show my age, or what?

Greg E.

Kelly Ripa · Post by **Kelly Ripa** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:13 pm

I have an origional Burke( I can't remember the exact spelling but they used to make really cheesey Baits ) It's a Chain worm Motor oil color from around the begining of the 70's. It's is a beauty....It has molded in weed gaurds and dinky hooks (It has two...Number four bait hook style) it also has a small "CHAIN" in its segmented body down to it's paddle tail ( Tom Ripa my Father didn't like to loose baits his whole life ) Do you wonder why this guy wasn't my mentor as a child for skills

The last part....The head has a 1/4 oz. tapered painted free swing lead head ...I should get a picture of that beauty and post it. Part of my collection of lures that could never have posed a threat to anything with gills and scales..

DanWarme · Post by **DanWarme** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:23 pm

I still got some Jelly worms, Strawberry
Know I have a bunch of ring worms.
Fluttercrafts
R&R Strokers
Ambushers
Lil Fishees
some Butler worms
Pretty sure I could dig up some old Charlie Brewer slider worms from the 70's
Even have some 'vino worms that were made before he started putting salt in them. salt might not have been invented yet when these worms were made.

I forget what else is buried in the boxes, bags, and piles. If they ever rise back to the surface, I'm sure most of them could be used for tent stakes. lol

Tony Lain · Post by **Tony Lain** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:37 pm

Just found a Mann's V-Worm still in the package. Might be from the early 80's. Talk about cheesy. It is two worms connected together, sort of shaped like the letter "V". It looks like a 6" worm giving birth to a 3" worm. What the...

Jeff Taibi · Post by **Jeff Taibi** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:40 pm

Oh Yeah!

"PUT A BURKE WHERE THEY LURK!"

JohNNy Utah · Post by **JohNNy Utah** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:59 pm

I've got a pack of 3" Cream worms still in the pack. These have to be from sometime in the 70's 'cause we used them at Laguna Lake in Fullerton to just slaughter little bass. I must have been in the 8th grade or so. Man....that's a long time ago!!!!

Jeff Taibi · Post by **Jeff Taibi** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:06 pm

I must have started at a much younger age than the rest of ya... a few years before Smitty's first hand-pours...

I'm talkin': Creme Scallywags, Flip Tails, Red's Worms, Lindy Tails, Hangars, Lil' Mothas (total death), Strike King Diamondbacks and Superfloats (the whole worm texas-rigged).

Ron C · Post by **Ron C** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:08 pm

...old "Heckler" hand poured worms made by Joe Heathcoat back in the late 70's. (I know Jimmy White remembers 'em). But, hands down, the worms that I cherish the most (and have the fewest of) are my old "Smitty" hand pours that Don Iovino sold for decades. Back in the day, you didn't go anywhere without you Smitty's and you Butler worms.

As far as the oldest, you will never find one older than Nick Creme's original Creme worm, which was the first plastic worm to receive a patent back in 1949.

I caught the very first bass of my life at Lake Cachuma (a 3 pounder) on a purple Creme worm pre-rigged on a black jig head that I bought at the Cachuma bait shop. I caught that fish when I was 13 years old under an overhanging oak tree that is still standing. It is located... oh, nevermind. That damn fish hooked me for life!

In the 80's the hot ticket was the Mister Twister "Phenom" and, of course, Mann's Jelly Worms. Ah yes, those were simple times.

smittyfish · Post by **smittyfish** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:17 pm

Who remembers diamond back works. I have some emerald green with an orange tail. I also have some in electric blue. These date back to the early 70's. I remember buying them at Andrew's sporting goods. That was before they became Turner's.

I remember seeing Bill Dance give a seminar there over thirty years ago. That is when I bought the vintage diamondbacks.

smittyfish · Post by **smittyfish** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:17 pm

DeltaBound · Post by **DeltaBound** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:28 pm

I probably have 10 or 15 smitty's left. Great worms, I use to get em at a tackle store in Inglewood, can't remember the name, help me out Ron. That's where I bought my Garcia 2500c's. Those were the days

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:18 pm

LEN B · Post by **LEN B** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:26 pm

WOW The old days. I was just looking in boxes last weekend, found brown lindy worms, creem. the good old mister twister 4 inch ring worm centipedes and the phenoms (Thanks Ron) I didin't remember the name til i saw your post. The action worm with the air chambers, Mann's jelly worms ive got all colors, and the good ole Butler brown worms that I still use.

Mark Hiser · Post by **Mark Hiser** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:54 pm

Well everybody is showin their age

heres some still layin in a box, mann's jelly worms, Yum Yum's, Smitty's, Glitter twist, Twin T's[ before Yamamoto] Action Hawg Caller, Little Bits and who could forget Brawley Bugs, theres enough flat rubber on 1 jig to tie 3 Puff jigs

Thanks for reminding me why I can't find anything in my garage

A Happy and Joyus Holiday to all of you
Mark Hiser

BIG L · Post by **BIG L** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:06 am

RC I didn't think you were 13 years old in 1949, maybe I didn't undertstand your post. HA HA

John Barron · Post by **John Barron** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 6:11 am

Charles "Eddie" Nipper
Grape Green Neon
Reverse Green Weenie

I also still have some bags of CO Worms that Conroy Oakley gave me many years ago. I think I still have some Merlo worms around also.
jb

DAKINE198 · Post by **DAKINE198** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 6:21 am

Hey Delta I remember that tackle store as a kid, Going there with my dad. Do you remember the Salesman Tall Little on the stocky side blond hair w/ sideburns ( typical in those days I guess) and I think his name was Mike??? He gave me my first Wee-R Rebel crank I think I may still have that too.

npangler · Post by **npangler** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:03 am

I have an old topwater bait shaped like a torpedo with a
prop front & rear Im guessing its made of balsa but get this
its completly coverd with snake skin (copper head) my
grandmother gave it to me at least 20 years ago.

DeltaBound · Post by **DeltaBound** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:13 am

Dakine, I beleive his name was indeed Mike. I thought I saw a menehune running around

Kelly Ripa · Post by **Kelly Ripa** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:21 am

In 86 I was split shot"n a purple Manns jelly worm in Dead horse at Casitas when I got my PB for a worm...It is still 10 3/4 pounds maybe I should Go back and use the 8 zillion old pounds of plastics I still have laying in boxes....Prolly go back to Casitas would be smart'r...I haven't been there in over a year

...Speak'n of old tackle...Bomber spinnerbait with a hackle not plastic skirt circa 1968 my dad laughed at me when I pulled out that jewel. It was a stock Bomber that was a single colorodo and was 3/8 oz. The paint was wild as it was white with black dots of paint spaced out all over it with painted in eyes and white chicken feathers sticking out with black feathers tied as a Hackle sticking out of it's leading edge.I had found and paid almost every dime in my bank for it. One April morning at Berryesa.....I cleaned their clocks that day

.....my Dad and His buddy Roy couldn't believe it ...Competition was born that day

It was my birthday trip I was elven and I knew someth'n the old guys didn't know

Brian Linehan · Post by **Brian Linehan** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:33 am

Butler worms

John Barron · Post by **John Barron** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:37 am

Allantek · Post by **Allantek** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:39 am

6" Brown and Purple Buddy Worms

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:46 am

I think the oldest one I still have is a Herter's plastic worm in purple, and it is the worm I caught the Delaware state record (record at the time) on in 1969 so I am certain of its age! I also have some of the original FlipTail 8" and 10" plastic worms from 1970 vintage (these things still look good!) and a bunch of original C-rig do-nothing french fries (two hooked with braid) vintage 1975 that I picked up at Clark's Hill Reservoir during the BASS Federation Nationals, along with original Rebel ring worms I got at that same tournament, and a bunch of Superfloat worms in all kinds of wierd colors. I also have some Creme plastic worms from the early 1970's, and of course the original Mister Twister curl tail and Mann's Strawberry and Grape Jelly Worms.

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:47 am

I think the oldest one I still have is a Herter's plastic worm in purple, and it is the worm I caught the Delaware state record (record at the time) on in 1969 so I am certain of its age! I also have some of the original FlipTail 8" and 10" plastic worms from 1970 vintage (these things still look good!) and a bunch of original C-rig do-nothing french fries (two hooked with braid) vintage 1975 that I picked up at Clark's Hill Reservoir during the BASS Federation Nationals, along with original Rebel ring worms I got at that same tournament, and a bunch of Superfloat worms in all kinds of wierd colors. I also have some Creme plastic worms from the early 1970's, and of course the original Mister Twister curl tail and Mann's Strawberry and Grape Jelly Worms.

DanWarme · Post by **DanWarme** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 11:02 am

Geesh you guys are bringing back old memories.
Names from this thread that I had forgotten but now remember.

Herter's- OMG I grew up with my face buried in Herter's catalogs. That's where I learned to tie a lot of fly patterns, from their photos.

Lindy tails- another blast from my mid-western past. Have a worm kit of theirs around somewhere. Circa early 70's

Smitty Worms, CO, Heckler Worms from Joe, ( still have some little reapers that Killed at Castaic!), Twin t's, Super floats, and Phenom worms. Mann's stingray grubs, still have several colors of those,
I seem to have a ton of old baits. And I haven't even touched on the Northern Cal producers! lol Had one that Dana Engles turned me on to years ago that was a fantastic worm in the winter at castaic. Anybody remember what Dana called the "Blue Bayou" worm??? He called it that because the only way you were gonna get any of them, was if he got .......

MN · Post by MN » Fri Dec 22, 2006 12:43 pm

I still have my Gramp's old tin tackle box with some of those what we called Stinger's,you know the one's with the blade on front and the two hook's pre rigged and a couple pack's of Creme's not even opened.He passed away in 1976 so who know's how old they are.

Dave Schreck · Post by **Dave Schreck** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:20 pm

I have some Color Plus Action worms I found in my garage ... Or how about those 4 inch creme's in motor oil for Perris when it had spots!!!! They were Death!!!

CRAZY · Post by **CRAZY** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:44 pm

same worm black grape

crazy rick

CRAZY · Post by **CRAZY** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:50 pm

check this out

i also have a worm believe it or not called a chain worm

and it has a length of chain in it about 6" long

crazy rick

Brian Linehan · Post by **Brian Linehan** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 8:00 pm

Rick, I think you take the cake with the "Chain Worm."

Kelly Ripa · Post by **Kelly Ripa** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:18 pm

9 posts from the beggining...I too have the burke Chain worm...I would have sworn it was the only one left in the world...Guess not

bassrippin365 · Post by **bassrippin365** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 1:33 pm

just a few that come to mind-the gator tail and the rebel redneck

Mike H · Post by **Mike H** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:18 am

Like Ron C said,

In the 80's the hot ticket was the Mister Twister "Phenom"

That was Dick Trask's secret worm for quite a few years before the word got out. I still miss that ornery old buzzard.

BTW, the Phenom worm still work

Rod Wynn · Post by **Rod Wynn** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 8:39 pm

I'm not to old (31) so I can't go as far back as most of you guys but when I think of old worms I think of Cinnamon Blue Vein Worm King Worms that I used to buy from the Fishing Tackle Pro Shop in Inglewood..

Tony Lain · Post by **Tony Lain** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 9:44 pm

TEAM BLING in the house... Bass fishing with style!!!

swimbaitkid · Post by **swimbaitkid** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:26 am

How about some action worms there from around the 1960 to 1970's

Rod Wynn · Post by **Rod Wynn** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 11:52 pm

Tony Lain wrote:TEAM BLING in the house... Bass fishing with style!!!

Yes SIR!!!

Dennis and I are a little down and out right now but we will be back on the scene real soon though..
Continue to hold it down Tony.. I am hearing nothing but good things about you lately..
Good work..!

Terry Battisti · Post by **Terry Battisti** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 6:53 am

DeltaBound wrote:I probably have 10 or 15 smitty's left. Great worms, I use to get em at a tackle store in Inglewood, can't remember the name, help me out Ron. That's where I bought my Garcia 2500c's. Those were the days

The shop was Fishing Tackle Pro Shop and Stan Keifer ran it.

I probably have 500-600 Smittys left, 25 or so Flip Tails, some Diamondbacks, action worms.....heck, maybe I'll take a picture of them and post them. We can have a contest.

Terry

Byron · Post by **Byron** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 7:32 am

DeltaBound wrote:I probably have 10 or 15 smitty's left. Great worms, I use to get em at a tackle store in Inglewood, can't remember the name, help me out Ron. That's where I bought my Garcia 2500c's. Those were the days

Wasn't that store originaly ABS sporting goods and then Pro shop? My father was allways over there when I was a kid. He and a couple of his good friends started I believe "South Bay Bass Masters" in the very early 70's and that is where all the meetings were held. I still have hundreds of his old Jelly worms, Fliptails, and several other 70's worms.

Rick G · Post by **Rick G** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:14 am

EVER, the Jack O Malley Wizard Worm, which was only sold at Val's when he was in Van Nuys on Reseda Blvd. Thats early Disco fever time. Tough to beat the Hanger worm though. Rick G.

MIKE VAN WAGNER · Post by **MIKE VAN WAGNER** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:47 am

ZANK SCULPINS NIPPER ORIGINAL GREEN WEENIE VIOLET FLIPTAILS NOTHING BETTER

Terry Battisti · Post by **Terry Battisti** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:55 am

Byron,

Yeah, it was ABS before it changed to Fishing Tackle Pro Shop. I can;t remember what the "ABS" stood for though.

Rick, Zank and I talked a long time last night about Jack and the Wizard worms....

Tags

Notice