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Classic Baits: Cordell Big O

Wade's World Fishing: They are called “alphabet plugs” because of their names: Cordell Big O, Norman Big N, Bomber Model A, among others in the famed category. These fat, wide-wobbling, medium-running crankbaits are made for covering water and fishing for mid-depth bass in many areas where spinnerbaits would be traditionally used. Their short, square bill deflects off rocks and woody cover, making this bait surprisingly weedless.

Alphabet plugs took the bass fishing world by storm when Tennesseean Fred Young began turning out his balsawood Big O’s in 1967. Big O’s provided a new look for shallow bass, and the fish bit them with abandon. Scores of tournaments were won on these baits. When Young couldn’t produce enough for the market, Big O owners began renting them by the hour (with a hefty escrow put up in case of loss).

The Big O was purchased by the Cordell Lure Company in 1973. The first year Cordell sold more than 1.3 million of these crankbaits. Also, other companies began making and marketing similar lures with parallel names. Though the tidal wave has swept past the Big O, it’s still a good lure, especially now that bass don’t’ see many of them.

The best source for on-line purchase is www.lurenet.com.

Here are tips for catching more bass on the Cordell Big O.

  • Use a rod with a strong butt and a medium-action tip. Heavy monofilament in the 17- to 20-pound test range is best for battling big bass in heavy cover.
  • When fighting a bass hooked on a Big O, if the fish starts toward the surface, poke your rod tip down into the water to try to keep the fish from jumping.
  • Make an effort to purposefully bounce a Big O off stumps, logs, dock pilings, etc. The erratic motion from such a deflection effectively triggers following bass into striking.
  • If a Big O snags in vegetation, give it an abrupt jerk to cut through the weeds and save the cast.
  • Carry a plug knocker or extender pole to free alphabet plugs that hang on sub-surface objects.