Thread: When First I met Rango

I remember Rango and all of his great posts. I was going to a work conference in Charlotte and inquired about renting a boat while down there. Rango said no need to rent a boat, I could join him and fish on "the Beast". Unfortunately the week I was there it stormed alot, we did go on a night stalk, and I believe it was "OT" that joined us. Caught a few but more important had a great time. Then we went to another lake, with his daughter and another friend of his. I believe his name was Jerry but not positive, this friend fished out of a pontoon boat (but fished with us that day) that he later replaced the decking with aluminum. We spent the night in a house on the lake and joined in 1 of the stripper tourney's the next day. It rained most of the day, I believe I caught the smallest fish that day, but still a great time was had.

Sad to learn of Jerry's fate

Rango was that kind of guy He would take anyone that wanted to go. That second day was probably Lake Wateree. I went down there with him striper fishing a few times. Never caught 1 striper lol. Even trolled next to a guy that went by "Thumper" cause he used a baseball bat to thump the bottom of his boat to attract stripers. Me and Rango never bought in to that method but Thumper caught about 5 stripers and we caught none.

Sparked my curiosity about the beast boat. This is what I found on earlier post if this is it. Monster boat.

Back when I first found this site I read quite a few posts that Rango had posted and that rekindled my thinking about going out night fishing again. Back when we used to fish at night it was under our favorite bridge with two lanterns hung over the side.

After awhile I began posting on Rango's posts asking questions and finally we started having private conversations. Wasnt long after that then it was phone conversations. Rango didnt hold back ANYTHING! I couldnt believe he was telling me all his secrets to setting up and catching crappie but I took 'em to heart and did everything Rango suggested from getting the boat set up to actually catching the fish.

I was so hooked on night stalking that I began buying minnows by the lb and was fishing every chance I could go. After some not-so-good nites I'd bring back questions and Rango was always the first to answer 'em. We even got to meet at one of the Crappiefests and everybody surrounded Rango like he was a celebrity....which really he was when it came to crappie fishing.

It was a big pill for me to swallow when Rango was called home. He was (and still is) a legend. Definitely one that anybody coulda learned a thing or three from. BTW, I never fished under bridges again after talking with Rango that very first time.

That big SeaArk is most definitely a beast. Should be one heck of a fishing machine

Met the old man many nites on the water. He knew what he was doing for sure. He helped me get my rig setup for stalking. Would say try this or that and improve on it. Saw him on Wateree one morning while striper hunting. He couldn’t talk much for having to pull in fish. I asked and he gladly told me what I was doing wrong. I tried his way and it was dead on for that day! If you wanted to know something bout fishing all you did was ask. Haven’t seen his partner OT in couple years. Last time we met he said he had moved to California. Never said why. The only thing I believe he ever changed on The Beast was his motor. He put a new Yamaha on shortly after he got sick the first time. Don’t know what happened to The Beast but there is a boat at the marine dealership on Red River road that sure looks like her. Yes sir we lost a dictionary on fishin when he passed. And a legend!


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rufishn--that was the beast but it doesn't show the bow rod holders mounted lol. I believe Rango had 18 rod holders all together. Rango used to say the number 1 most important thing was to look like you know what you're doing.

gabowman--Rango didn't hold back on info. He would tell you or show you everything there was to know. Fishermen used to launch at Allison Creek landing and hang out close by til Rango showed up and launched the beast so they could follow him and find his "spots". I always set up the same way he did except for anchoring; He would run an anchor off the bow and one off the stern and get them so firmly set you could tie off an oil tanker to them and they would hold. I got to the point that I didn't mind a little slack so the boat could drift to either side a little covering more area.

Yep, those that came in after the Rango era missed out. On forums you have to decide who is posting truth and who is blowing smoke. Never met Rango but felt like I knew him. Got plenty of info he posted. There are still a few that I trust their info and appreciate them.


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