Bass-o-Matic!
Got stuck in an airport a couple weeks ago and picked up a book called “What the Dog Saw” by Malcolm Gladwell. It’s a compilation of some articles he’s written over the years, and one is about infomercial king Ron Popeil of Popeil Pocket Fisherman (among others) fame.
If you’re like me, even as a kid you saw that infomercial or commercial (whatever it was) and was like, Who in their right mind would buy such a piece of junk? At that point I was saving all my chore money to buy a Zebco or Daiwa (can’t remember which) spinning combo.
And according to Ron Popeil in that book, that’s exactly how he expected fishermen to react. Because the intent wasn’t to sell it to people who like to fish, but to people who know people who fish so they could give it as a gift.
I found that fascinating. A fishing item intended for non-fishermen, and millions sold. (In fact, Wal-Mart still sells it. Not only does the PPF sell, but it has a cumulative 4 1/4-star review. Crazy)
http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/10727613/as-seen-on-tv-ronco-pocket-fisherman-reviews/reviews.htm
Anyhow, all this talk of crazy fishing products reminds me of Dan Aykroyd’s old SNL infomercial:
Wacko
March 22, 2011 at 8:05 am
That was great.
I have a pocket fisherman hang on the pegboard in my garage right now.
Wacko
March 22, 2011 at 8:06 am
Oh yeah, got a Bass-o-matic too. But for some reason the wife only uses it for Margaritas.
Avidbasser
March 22, 2011 at 11:38 am
When I was a kid, my Mom wouldn’t let me bring my fishing gear on trips. I was allowed to pack along a PocketFisherman- epic fail.
Mike Fillmer
March 22, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Funny…kinda like the Banjow Minnow and the Helicopter Lures!
SkeeterVD
March 23, 2011 at 4:06 am
I remember my dad had one when I was a kid. I wasn’t allowed to touch it. He busted it the 2nd time he used it….I laughed the evil laugh inside….BWAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!