Virgil Ward was born in Easton Missouri in 1911. His family moved to Amsterdam Missouri when he was 11 years old.                                        One of 9 children, he opened a plumbing supply company in the early 1950s. His family lived in a house behind the shop.                             In 1955 he started the Bass Buster lure company. His company patented the fiber weedgaurd, and helped popularize the marabou jig. They also marketed the famous Beetle Spin.                        He had many accomplishments in the fishing world.                               1.1958 Regional Bass Winner.                                         2.1962 World Series Sport Fishing winner.                             3.1964 National Fresh Water fishing champion.             4.Outdoor Writers National Tournament Champion.                Many awards also.              1.  Ozark Fishermans Hall of Fame.                                             2. National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.                 3.Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.                                                 In 1963, he hosted the first syndicated fishing show, Championship Fishing.                  He hosted this show for 25 yrs, 21 of which earned the title of the #1 fishing show. His success influenced Al Linder to start a show.                                     He pushed for catch and release very early, and was a huge conservationist.                     I grew up watching his show each week with my dad. Virgil always had a down home style. At the end of each show, he would go to an aquarium and demonstrate a lure, usually saying " well, they're still catching bass down on Table Rock with this Bass Buster jig.".                                                   Virgil Ward passed away quietly at his home in Amsterdam Mo in 2004. He fished up until one week before he passed on. He was 93 yrs old.

His show was the highlight of My Sundays growing up . Every time he demonstrated the lures in the aquarium he would lift and drop it . So I emulated him and been lifting and dropping ever since. He influenced my fishing style more than anyone and I still know his theme song word for word.

Pioneer & Legend ?

2 hours ago, scaleface said:

His show was the highlight of My Sundays growing up . Every time he demonstrated the lures in the aquarium he would lift and drop it . So I emulated him and been lifting and dropping ever since. He influenced my fishing style more than anyone and I still know his theme song word for word.

From the lakes of northern Canada, to the gulf of Mexico.                                           Wherever fish are bitin, that's where we're gonna go.       There's a lot of exciting water, just waitin to be explored.                                         So join us now in the great outdoors, the world of Virgil Ward.

Loved his show on Sundays. Bring back the Maribou jig. Those were great in the School Bus Yellow