Many people may not be aware of this, but bass fishing actually has quite the interesting history. It has its origins in the late 18th century, and was probably originally used in the search for food, among the peoples living in the southern area of the United States. Ever since, it has slowly gained followers of all ages and many nations. Today, in countries as far flung as Australia, Cuba, South Africa, the United States and most of Europe, there are people who take part in bass fishing.

Way back in the late eighteenth century, some estimate it was right around 1769, plus or minus a year, was the birth of modern bass fishing. It was at that time that Onesimus Ustonson developed and introduced the multiplying reels that he had invented. Those people who enjoyed fishing, latched onto the new reels. Later they evolved into the bait caster. A little over a century later, a Mr. William Shakespeare Jr. (no relation to the playwright!) creates a level wind device for fishing and is granted a patent for it in 1897. Less than twenty years later, in 1915, the William J. Jamison Company began production of the Shannon Twin Spinner. It was a bit overly ornamental, but still an excellent reel. And, it eventually led to the creation of our modern spinner bait reels.

The next major step in bass fishing had nothing to do with inventing, and everything to do with politics and President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. A rather large portion of the Appellations was poor and very rural, lacking even the most basic of necessities. One of Roosevelt’s programs was the creation, in 1932, of Tennessee Valley Authority. Its function was to provide electricity for vast areas of the Appellations. To that end, they built numerous dams for the purpose of generating hydroelectric power. As a result, numerous lakes were created. Later, those same lakes were used for the culturing of many varieties of bass fish.

Then, in 1937, the DuPont Company filed for a patent on a new type of fishing net they had created out of nylon. Later, it was realized, the material was perfect for use as a monofilament fishing line. From there, the sport only continued to grow. The 1950’s saw what many consider to be bass fishing’s most robust period of success. It was from this time that most of the modern fishing equipment developed. With bass fishing enjoying such popularity, it was easy for firms to invest in research and development. The results were such items as: bass boats, rods, lines, lures and other types of fishing equipment. Eventually, electronic gears were incorporated into the reels. Also, different types of reels with specific functions, such as hoisting and hauling, were developed.

Then, in 1992, bass fishing hit a new high. In that year, the famous fisherman Larry Nixon won a total of one million dollars for the sport! The bass industry has continued to grow and improve over the years. Today, it contributes fifty to seventy billion dollars annual to the U.S. economy, and those numbers are projected to continue to grow. Based on an analysis of the audience for bass fishing, its demographics, more and more people are becoming interested in it when compared to such sports as golf and tennis.