The Swimbait That Started It All!

[@stripervince1]

Hi guys. I enjoyed this story with Allan. I was in on this deal back in the 1980s and 90s as i lived near Allan in Palmdale and fished all those same lakes Castaic, Pyramid and Silverwood, Casitas and the aqueduct too. Hes absolutely correct on those dates. Before 1985 Castaic didnt have much fishing pressure. We quietly clobbered monster bass out of there constantly back the day. I mean 15 ,18 pounders quite often. After word got out in the late 1980s about his AC plug and the big bass it was catching, Castaic became a zoo. Boats and bass club tournaments were everwhere, and boats lined up 200 deep on lake hughes road on Friday night waiting to fish for sat morning on the upper lake. What really caused it were a few close to George Perry record 22lbs 4 oz. bass caught all around the same time around 1990-1991. And they all made the local papers. The mike Arujo bass. 20+ pounds, the Bob Crupi bass, 21+ pounds and the Leo Torres bass 20 Lbs. My 20 pounder in 1985 from the lower lake didnt make the news. I didnt really publicize it, and i caught it from shore at the swim beach at night on a 10 inch electric blue manns jelly worm. Released it alive. Unfortunately it was a little before cell phones with cameras. Seriously, a true 20 lber. But back to Mr Cole, there were a few places that sold his AC plug, one was a small bait and tackle store in Quartz hill. I bought a really big trout pattern one, maybe 12 inches and would use it at night at lake pyramid to catch giant stripers. Me and my friends would park near the entrance at 2 am and sneak over the fence by the aqueduct (lake pyramid was a day use only) in those days there were no cameras or guards. It was out in this small valley canyon in the mountains off of interstate 5. Very remote back then 40 years ago. Id throw Allans monster trout plug, (still have it) into the boils when they were generating, and it was madness. Huge stripers couldnt resist this thing. Id say i caught 20 striper that were 25 lbs or better and a few in the 40 lb class over about a 3 year period 1990 1993 ish. Then i moved to Bullhead city Arizona and fished the striper bite up and down the colorado river for about 3 years from mead to Laughlin Nv and down to Havasu for a while. His AC plug was a big fish killer out there too! Those were the good old days. I cant believe that was like 40 years ago. I still have about 4 of his original hand made plugs put away with my tackle. Now i live in East Tennessee and am still chasing monster stripers here too. Thats why i moved here. There are 65 pound fresh water beasts here in the rivers. Im totally obssesed with these fish and go every morning at 3- 4am to the river and lake. In my lifetime ive caught 5 that were 50 + and 3 of those were salt water fish, from Long Island, the other 2 fresh water. My goal now is for another 50. Its been 20 years since my last 50 pound striper. Thanks to Allan, he was a true big fish pioneer with his AC plug, it helped many anglers get some really big bass and stripers back in the day! There were some times when there were actually people hiding in the hills with binoculars trying to see if people were throwing live trout, because his lures were getting such big fish, people were trying hard to discredit any giant catches. It was hilarious times. All the big glide and swim baits of today are more realistic but the action on the original AC is still better than anything made today....and So glad that i was "in" on this big fish revolution back then in California. Great memories. PS... I'm watching this video in 20 min segments..Great interview/video. Hey Allan, do you remember Steve Blackwell and the Outdoorsman store in Lancaster? I think it was on 10th St W. He used to give us great advice on the hot bite. Was a great store, was sad to see it go out of business around 1990ish. Im listening to you guys towards the end of the video, and trust me, i just moved out of florida after 15 years. You dont want to move there. Its a zoo. Gators everywhere, fire ants, massive traffic jams, hurricanes, love bugs, crime. Dont move to florida. If you guys like big browns, come visit east Tennessee and Boone lake and Watauga river. World class Brown trout .

[@tackleandtacos]

Yessss! I still have a few original AC plugs!

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Put them to use guys! Terry

[@aaronthompson9210]

This episode is in the top 5 best. So cool to here how the big swimbait craze started

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you Aaron! Terry

[@jimmymahuron569]

Enjoyed this Podcast with Allan Cole.

[@rodthigpin1682]

Thank you guys for giving this gentlemen the credit he deserves!!! For anyone that says he didn't start the swimbait craze, they didn't clearly live here at ground zero where it started. I remember the week the A.C plug went up for sale at gallions market in castaic. Seems like it was yesterday. Gave my young self the fire to design my own baits! Was a cool time in bass fishing to be apart of!!!! It's hard to explain to people how people just didn't believe the big trout imitation baits worked back then because it was so out of the box. Now days everyone has one in the there tackle box.They hadn't even earned the name swimbaits back then!! Just trout imitation lures as they were called. My hats off to you Alen,for sending so many of us down a path of BIG baits and BIG fish. You Turned bass fishing upside down!!!! For that I thank you.

[@secretbassrigs]

Absolutely! I know exactly how you feel. It truly was a phenomenon. Allen Cole was definitely the first to turn it into a full-time business. That boot tail at the end was also a first.

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you Rod! Always give credit where credit is due! We'd love to have you on the show at some point too! Terry

[@rodthigpin1682]

The good ol days of did you get it on the wood (A.C.) or the rubber (worm king-renosky)! Boy has it came a long ways!!!!!

[@Darkman-Fishing]

All my AC baits came from Gallions. (Great sandwiches right!)

[@secretbassrigs]

@@Darkman-Fishing Gallions was sold a year and a half ago, but the deli counter is still there. I haven't tried it since the change.

[@bobbycolson1957]

Maybe your best guest so far....to still have the enthusiasm he has...

[@kimberliezakarian6668]

A smart inventor!

[@briancox5172]

Giving trolling lures proper credit as giant fish producers. Honorary Spoonplugger a fantastic interview

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you Briancox! We're glad you liked the show and appreciate the support.

[@dustingrant2062]

One of the best videos I've saw in a long time Thanks alan for all you've done for this great sport an a big thanks to the greatest basstorians in the world

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you Dustin for the kind words!!! Terry

[@dalejohnston9422]

Great program with lots of history and entertainment.

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you Dale! We appreciate the support! Terry

[@kimberliezakarian6668]

My incredibly talented uncle, Allan Cole #ACPlugs

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you for watching Kimberlie! You have a very talented uncle! Terry

[@williamsonnett8970]

A word I seldom use: "delightful"!

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you Bill! Terry

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

What an incredible episode, and to be honest I didn’t know who started it all but now I do because of this team,thank you Allan for being on and sharing and of course Nathan Terry and Ken (Size matters)!!!❤❤❤

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Ken, we reallt appreciate the kind words and for your support! Terry

[@hntnnut]

This is pure gold, I think I still have the Silverwood article.

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you hntnnut! Terry

[@jayrock617]

Great show. The MS Slammer looks like these. Gotta love the OG AC plugs!

[@thebigbasspodcast]

jayrock, the Slammer came after the AC Plug. Terry

[@jayrock617]

@@thebigbasspodcast yep. I am 33 and started fishing around age 16. The slammer was just the first wakebait I started throwing. Its great to hear the history of the original plugs like the AC that surely inspired many of the lures that came after. Keep up the good work guys 🎣

[@coeymccollum9465]

Bought some from Allen a couple of years ago. EXCELLENT quality and still great paint jobs on the rainbow pattern.

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Yes sir Coey, Allan does an awesome job! Terry

[@chrishampton8842]

What an incredible guy, AC still going strong at 81!

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Yeah Chris, he's still going strong. It took us a couple weeks to hook up with Allan because he was off fishing for a couple weeks, sleep in his car. LOL. There is no "stop" in Mr. Cole! Terry

[@SJBassin]

I got ALOT of big fish with these back in the day. Love the AC Plug. Wish I still had an original

[@thebigbasspodcast]

I wish I had mine too. Allan is still making them by hand and selling them online. Terry

[@SJBassin]

Definitely should be in the Bass HOF if there is one

[@Stumpjack]

This is/was great! "I told my doctor, I got fish to catch!" LOL! That's beautiful. This man is incredible, the number of big fish he's caught, his creativity, skill and stories. What a treat.

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Stumpjack, thank you sir! Now I expect you're gonna start making some swimbaits? :-) Terry

[@Stumpjack]

@@thebigbasspodcast The thought had occurred to me. lol

[@captainmuskie8879]

Another Great show guys!I think we are all going to need bigger tackleboxes after seeing this one .

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Captain Muskie, I'd expect with a name like that you'd already have some big tackle boxes! :-) Thanks for the support! Terry

[@DRDROP-fj4bo]

In the early 90"s in Texas on Lake Fork, the AC plug was king. I have never seen so many huge bass caught. It opened my eyes about how shallow these monster bass where in the dead of winter. In the winter the larger hickory shad would migrate to the major creeks. These huge bass would chase them and the AC plug matched them perfectly. My biggest 5 fish sack came on the AC plug in late November. This pattern would last until April-May when the Hickory shad would move back out of the creeks. The guides and their clients would throw them all day. Many 12-13 lb fish and bigger were caught. The 9 1/2 in was the most popular size.Some threw the 12in and swore by it for night fishing. The large mouth bass virus hit the lake in 99 and ended that era. The AC plug was going for a $20 bill. I still nave a couple of 9 in with the paint wore off and a 12in that is pristine.

[@thebigbasspodcast]

DRDrop, wow, there's a bit of info I didn't know. Those were the early days!!! Thanks for watching and for supporting the channel! Terry

[@kevinatwell9781]

Awesome podcast- AC and his plug inspired many of us to make and fish the big hard baits ! The first i ever saw it mentioned was in an In Fisherman article probably mid 90’s…the mainstream was always way behind California trends

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Kevin, the image in the thumbnail was actually given to me by Steve Quinn and was used in that article you're referring to! Thanks for watching and supporting! Terry

[@crowejr77]

Really enjoyed this show along w the others. Thanks for sharing your story AC.

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you Crowejr77! We appreciate the kind words and support! Terry

[@rogerdudra178]

It sure sounds like I'd appreciate him callin me a 'geek'. I only caught one trout over 10 pounds so I couldn't get into the Brown Baggers either.

[@edwardcowan7012]

Another great show

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you Ed! Terry

[@lroyson]

I remember when the AC plug became popular. I couldn't afford one, so I made my own. I don't know how Allan could have made thousands a month. Great show.

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you lroyson! Terry

[@kimberliezakarian6668]

AC Plug

[@secretbassrigs]

Today, we now have the fervor over the KGB Chad Shad licensed by SPRO. It's amazing that the Big Swimbait Craze all started at Pyramid Lake, in unincorporated Los Angeles County, CA!

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Lure Lab, this is just the hardbait story. The soft plastic story started before this. The hardbait guys like Allan and Gregg Silks were primarily going after stripers at Pyramid and Silverwood. But the softbait craze started in the mid-1980s with the Worm King Dinosaur. We'll be covering that in the future. Terry

[@secretbassrigs]

@@thebigbasspodcast thanks for the heads up Terry! yes! finally all my scattered memories can finally be put back in order, lol. Hearing all these bait company names I had forgotten about is suddenly messing with my sense of time and space. Did I forget to mention I now live within walking distance (more of a down hill bike ride) to Pyramid Lake? So it feels even weirder now having so much confirmation about the historical and national impact this little scarcely populated area has had. It seems so undeserving now knowing about the little known history of Gorman and the family that still dominates that little village. lol I think it was the green, pink, and pearl laminated Worm King Dinosaurs that were also used at Casitas. I vaguely remember that the line through treble, on top of the head, was also used on them back then. They definitely used stinger hooks near the tails, on them at Casitas too. That, I do remember. They were originally made/used for surface fishing for Calicos and such at the Channel Islands. And Gregg Silks made the Z Plugs and fished Silverwood primarily. "The Time Warp" from the Rocky horror picture show is ringing in my ears now, 😱😩

[@thebigbasspodcast]

@secretbassrigs, it doesn't seem that you've lost much of your memory! Yes, the Worm King was made for the salt. Calicos, yellows, sand bass, you name it, they ate it! Thanks for the comment and good luck at Pyramid!! Terry

[@secretbassrigs]

@@thebigbasspodcast Thank you, Mr. T. "I Come Tumblin" by Grand Funk Railroad kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKuXlZSMmrangMk

[@stripervince1]

Yup back in the late 1980s - early 1990s. I lived in Palmdale and me and friends would fish at night there for giant stripers with AC plugs. We murdered the big stripers on them. Me and a few friends kept our mouths shut and didn't blab. . The good old days. Pyramid was a great lake

[@chrisgroves255]

I always hit the like before I watch the shows and I haven't regretted it. Another good one guys.

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you Chris! Terry

[@dariusking2927]

Great show guys 👍👍👍👍

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you Darius! Terry

[@catlas750]

Read about the AC plug and how to fish it from a coffee table bass fishing book i was gifted as a kid. Great photos and stuff in that book, i loved the book and still have it. Ive always wanted an AC plug and wasn't sure if it was still available. Well after this awesome episode i have two coming in the mail! Thanks guys great stuff as always

[@thebigbasspodcast]

That's awesome catlas! Let us know how you do with them! Terry

[@stevenjohnson9855]

I’m 26 minutes in and loving this episode , so the AC Shiners is a different company, these are also hand made

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Yes, AC Shiners are made by someone else. Thanks for watching Steven! Terry

[@TAStormChasing]

Excellent episode! Really have enjoyed the guests you guys brought on.

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you TAStormChasing! We appreciate the kind words and the support! Terry

[@bmwstan1]

Great job again guy's. Keep up the good work.

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you IPB! Terry

[@kimberliezakarian6668]

Aunt Sherry 😂 The Lure From Hell 😂

[@briancrawford1841]

Great show! Don’t forget about the AC Shiner

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you Brian for the support! The AC Shiner is made by a different guy, Arthur Schoultheis, out of Kentucky. It's essentially a Rapala, although I think they're made much better than the Rapala. Terry

[@briancrawford1841]

@@thebigbasspodcast that’s why you are the best.

[@ghostlywarrior8149]

This was a great episode. Will be buying some of his lures and I'm in Florida. Want to try them out bass and some monster snook.

[@thebigbasspodcast]

GW, they will work on the bass and maybe the snook too! Thank for watching! Terry

[@fattymcbucklesc4312]

Legend !

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Yes sir! Terry

[@sakfpv8444]

I remember I had a few of those back in 94-95. I read about guys using them in Texas in a bass fishing book. I believe it was 99-2001 when I used them to catch spawning striped bass in the Hudson River, in small tributaries while everyone else would use live bait. I got a 29lb that season and still have the Polaroid.

[@Texaslivinoutdoors]

I used to fish the smaller AC plug at lake skinner and perris all the time when I was a kid. Got them from Tunners, still have one

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Man, Turners sold a ton of them back in the day! Thank you for watching CKO!

[@mikek860]

I fished the original A.C. Plug in the 90's and used to crush bass and pike on them. I have a ton of them from 5"+ that had missing tails. The other day, I found an INSANE deal on lots of 5 in 5 and 7" and I bought 5 lots, and I intend on fishing them this weekend. I will bet anything that they will still smoke big fish.

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Mike, I believe you can get extra tails from acplugs.com too! Thank you for watching! Terry

[@bobbycolson1957]

I would like to know if Alan ever had any conversation with buck perry

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Hi Bobby. Thank you for the support and the question. I'll ask Allan and see what he says. Terry

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Bobby, I talked with Allan about Buck. He said he had read Buck's book but had never met him or talked directly with him. Buck had a huge effect on helping anglers find fish, fish that nobody was targeting. Thanks for the question! Terry

[@rogerdudra178]

I heard about this stuff in the early 90's here in Montana. Trout are good eating, I guess the bass figured it out, too. That's what I thought, then.

[@rickvann3489]

Still have mine

[@CODCritic101]

Summer of 69 !!!

[@thebigbasspodcast]

That's make a great song! Thanks for watching! Terry

[@tedlincolnsfishinglife]

sending gary the link now...

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Thank you Ted! Terry

[@dragonsnatch1146]

I got some of the originals and they swim eay better than the agrobast versions

[@thebigbasspodcast]

The originals always swim better than the mass produced. And you can still get the originals! Terry

[@kimberliezakarian6668]

Yes you can.

[@paulenglish1741]

Hey Terry, Iam first

[@thebigbasspodcast]

LOL. Thank you Paul! Terry

[@FunkE.Fisherman]

Legend!

[@thebigbasspodcast]

Yes sir!!! He sure is! Terry