can any one give me some details about a older bomber long a, what made it good? which ones did you want to look for since I'm seeing different models?

Ask a walleye guy, a striped bass guy, a LMB guy, and a guy who collects them (they mutter "screw tail") and you will get different answers. The older ones were a bit heavier and more solid, but I haven't seen too much difference in the catching, durability, yes. They make floating ones and suspending ones, they had the autograph versions, as well as the Excalibur version ones, (how does Marc Sosin get a lure?). They make or have made them in a ton of colors. I still rely on both older ones and newer ones to catch all sorts of things. The 16A, and 17A "chicken scratch" is a staple in the surf. I would suggest the 14A and 15A for fresh water. They also make a jointed version, but I find that while it catches fish, it's not any better than other similar things. 

To add to the above, and just my experience and recollection, I believe the original sought after ones were from the 80s and their unique feature was the  rear hook hanger was a screw in eye (“screw tails”). They were one of the earliest predecessor to today's wakebaits, and rumor is the plastic was different then. We would dip them in boiling water and you could get the plastic to swell a bit without cracking or busting the seams. This made them more buoyant, and with a few other mods and the right tackle/retrieve, they would wake the surface instead of diving under. The old jointed Redfins were also sought after for similar reasons and technique. 

I only have  them from the 80's and did not know they were any different than todays . One of my favorite baits , especially in the immediate post spawn . I had trouble with some of them filling up with water .

As has been said it is a great lure. Everything in the water treats it like it owes them money. In my waters the black back with white side and orange belly one is magical. 

   The little 13A is the best jerkbait for shallower waters, bar none. It's a giant killer. The 15A is close behind. It's a good jerkbait as well as a good shallow runner.

   They seem to be different now, with a different action. Possibly made in a different factory. Current colors seem to be different, too, although that's nothing new for the Long A.

   I've got a few left, and I'm hoarding them!  ?                 jj

Yeah those dont catch fish-only every third one I catch!

34 minutes ago, BoatSquirrel said:

Yeah those dont catch fish-only every third one I catch!

That looks like a really good clear water color, down monkey!... down!...

10 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

down monkey!

Shame they are discontinued in that color!

Brent Crow just won the Toyota Series Champs using the LongA as a wakebait

Just wobble it slowly on top and be ready for explosion. It even works in places you never think it would 

 

I’ve only purchased bone color but I’ve acquired a couple other ones somehow. I’ve always heard even if you don’t have a bone color one, scratch the paint off with a pocket knife and they are all bone underneath (never actually tried that) 

 

you’ll need new under britches when a striper thunder dunks one of them 

2 hours ago, BoatSquirrel said:

Shame they are discontinued in that color!

I'll trade ya for a inu thing...

As I posted in another thread.  Grandpa used bomber long A’s on his charter boat for steel head off of planner boards. He had a whole drawer full.  I seem to remember a lot of the clown color, black and silver, orange and yellow,  and other bright steel head colors.

he would also use them for browns in the spring.  Run the boat up on the beach in 4-5 ft of water 

 

 

The steel head beat those things like they stole something.  He would tell us stories of skamanies ( differnt strain of steel head) hitting those bombers so hard that he’d have to cut their heads off to get the lure back. 
 

The newer Ones are still good and a very good pike bait.  Usually I just use them like a crank.  Plus if I loose one your not out much