The Magnetic Depth Finder Bobber was sold only in sport shows in 1992.  Sonically Seam Welded from two separate plastic parts, we had two caps on the ends, a line support rod, magnet and a "brain." We still, to this day, use the same Plastic Caps as we did on this first Bobber.

Big Ten Tackle was going to purchase the die for this plastic bobber for $27,000 but because of a long delay by die makers and production problems we decided to change our design to a more "Fishing Friendly" look! So After making slightly over 1500 bobbers we started designing a new prototype, combining Plastic and Styrofoam.

  Even though this was the first made bobber, it worked extremely well. Frank knew he had a special idea, positive comments on this one made the new version a reality! This all plastic original bobber caught two fish at a time 8 times in a row within two hours! Crappie & Sunfish! This is a true record for the Book of World Records!

The early Bobber could be used for Night Fishing with a Lightstick, just like the one we sell today.

These Collector Edition Bobbers are on Sale now. We have a limited supply as the Die will never be used again! The product is something that will grow in value as we go into stores very soon. 

If your interested in this Collectable, you can buy now..   

 Check out the Information/Price,   Order Collectable only by (CLICKING HERE!)   

Early NEWS Releases

November, 1995                                                                  October, 1995

   <---- Click on to read these ---->   

Early Prototype to what we have now.

<--- Prototype BWAB                Parts for Prototype --->

Although the "Magnetic Depth Finder" bobber (above) worked perfect, Frank was still looking for a better idea to expand on his Steel ball and Magnet idea. This early prototype used a plastic white chamber that was a "body" of a candle. The candle light white 4 inch plastic cover was not as sturdy as we needed. We decided to look in the Thomas  Register Directory under plastic manufactures and found a large plastic company in the Chicago area, that more than suited our requirements for quality, quantity and price! This company now would make our two plastic parts, the straw like top rod and the main white chamber!  The idea was born for our Bobber we have now.

 Packaging was getting some early ideas we still use today. 

<--- Front          Back --->

Card would be cut and inserted in a locking plastic bag.

Early Selling Pictures. (These all helped in making the Paperwork we have now.)

Early Bobber Parts Picture             Rig Instructions.                Early "Tilt" Picture.

2nd Commercial Selling Version of B.W.A.B.

<--- Single Pack          Parts for 2nd version --->

This is the "famous" Bobber With A Brain that hit the shows in the mid to late 90's. This Bobber was Sold on Q.V.C. (TV shopping channel!) Frank and the company had to make a large amount of these for that show, that is were he found that production was slow on these. Just preparing the parts for assembly took to long to make a large amount quickly. 

  These had two floats on the top. You would remove the top one and put a Lightstick for Night Fishing! 

This version was longer and more bulky to cast. Also when you removed the top float to put your light stick on the bobber, you could lose the float. 

The system worked perfect and this bobber started gaining the sales we needed to keep it on the market. 

Paperwork was also commercially prepared, the product looked Professional now too!

  <--- Outside       Inside --->   

This was folded like a book with the bobber in front and placed a locking plastic bag.

A remake of the Paperwork updated the pictures and changed the style a bit.

  <--- Old Logo Design   ...   Second Tilt Picture Used --->

<--- Outside       Inside --->  

With the change to the paperwork the product was ready for Q.V.C. and more.

Inventor Catches MONSTER Catfish on this BOBBER!

May 20,1999

                            <-- Actual Newspaper Article from the local Latrobe paper.

What makes Frank's 20 pound channel catfish so special is the fact it was the largest of 5 over 30 inches caught on the bobber in three years. These fish were caught in small lakes where a 20 inch fish was a big deal.

Here is a quote from Frank the inventor of the Bobber With A Brain: "I fished for forty years and never caught a fish over 22 inches in this area till I used the B.W.A.B.!"  "I now average over 600 bass & crappie a year in one lake alone!" The fish over 30 inches included a 30 inch Sucker, 34 inch Musky, two Carp over 30 inches and a 34 inch 20 pound Channel Catfish! The year 2001 I caught 5 fish over 26 inches in ten days using the B.W.A.B. with our new ceramic sinker rigs.

Copyright 2006 Big Ten Tackle

1998

North American Fishing Club field tested the Bobber With A Brain in 1998. We sent 420 bobbers out all over the country. We received over a 70% approval rating. We also were sent this great testimonial with a variety of fish from the Mississippi and Fox Rivers.

This Field Test was only the Bobber With A Brain, We have another Field Test below which included a hook rig. Something we didn't have at this time in our history.

     B.W.A.B. in the N.A.F.C. periodical -->    

Here is a cute testimonial from the state of Virginia from a lady who was really surprised when her  3 sons all placed in a bass tournament, using our B.W.A.B.

1996

Same Advertising Ideas for the B.W.A.B.

<--- Magazine Ads to spark interest ---> 

             Still use this one today  ----->  

Something more eye catching and simplified for the retailers and distributors.

2003 Advertisement Ideas.

Fish Tackle Retailer                   North American Fishing Club

Separated Bobber Pictures

These pictures show the product as it's parts are separated.

  <--- Prototype Picture ... Finished One ----->  

3rd Commercial Selling Version of B.W.A.B.

<--- Single Pack                      Parts for 3rd version --->

Looking even closer to what we have now, this version sported in BOLD DARK LETTERS "BOBBER WITH A BRAIN" which looked good. Trouble was, the words would not line up correctly so the whole set of words showed on every bobber. The production time was now right where we needed it to be so we could go national when needed to. 

Bobber is much less bulky to cast, can fit in Tackle Boxes nicely, and Tilted Perfect every cast!

Only problem was the Top would come loose with careless or extensive serious fishing, you could experience "Brain Lose."

We now have 7 parts per bobber, from Illinois, Texas, Ohio & Pennsylvania all to make one specialty bobber
and all assembled in Pennsylvania.. 

What could be more AMERICAN than that?

This Paperwork update started to show us with Fish, Roy's Idea as he joined Frank in May of 2000.

<--- Outside       Inside --->

This Paperwork contained allot of information. We were still searching for something professional enough for stores.

This is the Actual Prototype paper from the design of the above paperwork.

Frank's hand writing as the ideas where born.

Paper work updates started to show a more professional look when Roy & Frank's ideas merged! Two heads are better than one especially when you are dealing with one brainy bobber!

Another early prototype of what was to come for paperwork ideas from Roy. Aug 14,2000:

                     First Showing of Roy's "Bobber Tilting" Pictures!

 Franks big catfish along with Roy's new life like drawings of bobber in water brought the new sheets to life in these early paper work ideas!

Big Ten Tackle Promotional Papers.

Handouts used at Sport Shows for People to read when they get home and hit the couch.

                 Front                         Back                            Last Proto Type sheet made.

"These New detailed colorful mail order and show hand out sheets designed by Roy, would even entice a couch potato to read on further!"  -Frank Moff

Copyright 2006 Big Ten Tackle

Big Ten Tackle at Trade/Outdoor/Sports Shows

To keep us on top of the market for our great fishing bobber we went in the direction of trade/outdoor/sports shows. 

Some Rare early pictures from 1997 show in Chicago & Indiana...

Big Ten Tackle goes to Three or four shows a year for promotion, sales are usually at a break even point with lots of effort! Extreme interest and amazement  by consumers convinced us that we had a great product!

Now since Roy has joined us, We have a top 20 website! The site named www.bigtentackle.com opened in 2000. Roy was convinced that his talent in Graphics, Internet Promotion and Site Page Design, along with Frank's talent in writing and history with the Bobber, we couldn't go wrong. So now at the shows we sell product and promote this very informative website.

Big Ten Tackle Catalog (Never Released)

This is Roy's Catalog from December 2000. Frank and I wanted something professional to give out at Sport Shows and to future retailers, etc. It took a month to draw up is nice little catalog. We made it B&W and it really showed the benefits of the Bobber With A Brain. The last page was made as a order form You could "rip it out," fill it out and send to us.

Was to be stapled in the middle, used two sheets of paper (Front and Back of each.)

Front & Back Page.                Inside Front Page and Inside Last Page.

Middle Two pages.                   Second page Left and Fifth Page Right.

1999

Bobber With A Brain became a TV star for the second time when KDKA TV NEWS showed a 4
minute news clip of Frank and a News Lady fishing & demonstrating the B.W.A.B. at Twin Lakes State Park in Latrobe Pa.

News Clip is available on our  ACTION VIDEOS Page for your viewing pleasure.  

 Magazine Article & Famous People.

November,2002

Big Ten Tackle had a chance to meet Roland Martin (Popular TV Show Fishing Person) at a local Store. We gave him some Bobbers and explained the product to him. 

Thanks for the good words Roland, hope you find the Bobber With A Brain a Great Addition to your Tackle Box.

"A COMPLETELY NEW WAY TO FISH!"

4th Commercial Selling Version

<--- Single Pack          Parts for 4th version --->

This version of the Bobber With A Brain was sold for years. But we still thought that product needed something more. With the history behind it and the numerous people now fishing with this product, We wanted input and we got it from customers. 

This version has smaller lettering on the chamber, It sports a Harder, Sturdy Chamber with a NEW PREGNANT CHAD top locking dimple that holds the top SOLID! The Chad was a welcomed idea and it worked like a charm. We had stopped the troubles that people talked about in the earlier bobber. ("Pregnant Chad" was a term used in the 2000 presidential "election.")

  The Bobber With A Brain has been sold in 27 + sports shows, (including 2005.) It is USED ALL OVER THE WORLD!

<--- Outside       Inside --->

This paper insert was used for Internet purchasing, We might go back to this paper for the internet buyers in the future.

The tri-fold (3 bends) on the paper was Frank's idea. Frank's ideas and Roy's graphic design work took months to get this design they way we needed it. This new paper work is simplified and answers all questions at the shows and for mail order people. We even have a complete detailed order form on these new consumer mail order/sports show sheets! 

Store Packaging for the 4th Commercial B.W.A.B!

In 2002 we finally worked out the paperwork and New Clam shell packaging has colorful insert sheets and
clear barcodes for retailers & distributors. We are now getting big time noticed! This is a EYE-CATCHER!

Paperwork has two U.P.C. codes on one sheet, one for a three pack and the other side has a 1 pack. 

<--- Outside       Inside --->

Paper is folded in the middle, that way you can flip it over for a one or three pack!

 The way the plastic holds the paperwork, allows it show the top bobber picture perfect above the product in the case. 

   <--- Single pack        Triple pack ---> 

First real ideas for Store packaging and this package idea made designing the newer package even easier. This is was costly and we needed to make it work with less cash!

Bobber With A Brain's First Fishing Show!

Big Ten Tackle taped a TV show local to our Pennsylvania area called Pennsylvania Back Country! 

The show was aired in: September, 2002, as we taped in July, 2002!

Live Product Clip from Show!  Watch Frank Explain the Bobber With A Brain  and SEE how it works. Frank's Talk!

Fishing Clip from Show!  Watch Frank and Roy fishing on the show with the B.W.A.B. Fishing with Big Ten Tackle!

Little we knew at the time that we would Sponsor the same Exciting Show on Sportsman's Channel Starting in 2007.

Thank you Mark, for all you have done for us and we wish you the best with Pennsylvania Back Country.

A NEW RIG PACKAGE! 

Feb 2,2005

Been ages since we re-worked the rig design, we have included more information now and have a UPC code too.

Removed any hint of the term "Ready Rig" since there is a Ready Rig product out there already.

These are Specialty Rigs, since we make them special for you. STILL HAND TIED!

NEW UNIVERSAL BWAB ! 

  <--- Single BWAB          Parts for LASTEST version --->

The new version converts into FIVE BOBBERS, Including Night Fishing with a Lightstick! 

WOW! This new version as of early 2004 has really got great comments from you guys!    WE APPRECIATE THE POSITIVE E-MAILS !

We have finally found the Bobber With A Brain that we feel is commercially ready and your store needs this product NOW!

Updates on your newest BWAB:

Well, we thought about it and found a Yellow Foam that is more hearty and lasts longer than the oval Styrofoam we had been using. With the yellow foam, we could remove the Chad and use the tube itself to hold the bobber together. No more Gluing the rod in, which makes assembly allot easier! The Yellow Foam is a stronger fit and it doesn't destroy itself with use, like the Styrofoam did.  When we switched to the yellow foam top we discovered it also made some usable Slip Bobbers when we removed it from the BWAB and added a line stopper! 

 You can "stick" your hook from your rig in the yellow foam for storage too!

Also we added a Yellow Cap along with our Orange Cap on the bottom with the hole automatically punched. The Bobber is complete now!

Copyright 2006 Big Ten Tackle

Commercial Packaging for Stores!

Released Dec 28,2004

   <--- Single pack        Triple pack (idea stage)---> 

Get Ready, The Bobber With A Brain will be in stores in 2005! When you see it, you will know we have over 10 years of testing and product design in this Amazing Product. A history of this product doesn't even mention the hundreds of hours in fishing as we product tested numerous prototypes of this Bobber. We know this one will float! (A little bobber humor here!)

BRAND NEW STORE Promotional SIGN !

Released Dec 28,2004

We want this sign to be displayed on the "Bobber Rack" in the stores!

The idea is to introduce new customers to what you and I already know, (What it does & how it works!)

Over 10 years and we are extremely happy to offer this amazing, up to date, solid, reliable Bobber for your enjoyment. To this day we are still learning and getting surprised by the abilities of this fine fishing product!

Some prototype design ideas for new packages!

<--- Vacuumed  Sealed Package idea.               Rough Design on Blister pack idea ---->  

  <---- Early Drawing Ideas to "Catch your eye!"         We were very close to using this package (Small and was Secure!)   

You see products everyday in stores all over the world. Sometimes you just take the "Eye Catching" ideas for granted. I think this has been the most fun of this Bobber Project. We talked with professionals, designed with our own ideas, and spent allot of time in stores looking at style and ideas from the finished products out there. 

The only piece of solid wisdom we have gained in business is: Make sure you like what your doing, ask people what they think, and have the patience to not throw your first idea as the finished idea! 

 Roy Updates Old Favorite Banners!

Banner update work is a on going thing. You make new exciting changes to the product and then you have make changes to the website too!

Did a Re-draw to certain parts of these banners in early 2005

These two banners are very important to us and you have seen them all over the WEB! 

We feel these two banners have helped us get you to look at and purchase your BWAB!

Thank you for clicking on them all these years!! 

NEW AD IN Pennsylvania Outdoor News

Bi-Weekly hunting and fishing paper in PA 

  New Ceramic 5 pack and Brain Packs for Online and Store Selling

Both Packages were designed to be attractive in Stores as they hang next to the B.W.A.B. The Ceramic Packs (Which we sell online now!) have 

5 Ceramic Sinkers and 5 Swivels in each pack. The Brain Packs have 6 Steel Nickel Coated REPLACEMENT brains for the B.W.A.B. Both are packed in a Rough Clam style plastic case!

These were a job, both finding the plastic container and the graphic work was a challenge, but we are very happy with the results!

August, 2005

 In September of 2005 we received the results of the second Field Test with the North American Fishing Club..

This time we sent 375 Bobbers With A Brain and also included a Single Hook Rig (hand tied by B.T.T.)

The results shows that they gave it overall rating of 9.2 (out of 10 being best!) 

We hope to have a complete page up about this with all the details in the coming months. The page will contain all the background and mess of testimonials from those people who fished and answered questions about this fine Bobber!  Thanks to all the great fishing-persons in the N.A.F.C.  You are the best!

Check out my Approval page now:  (CLICK HERE!)

2006

FISH TACKLE RETAILER AD, March 15,2006

We run this ADVERTISEMENT in a Fishing Tackle magazine for Retailers and Distributors only. 

SUMMER 2006

NEW "SEE THRU" CHAMBERS

(NOW YOU CAN SEE IT!)

Click above Thumbnail!

These new chambers will include CLEAR, CLEAR BLUE (Pictured,) Black, Orange, and Black! 

We are every excited to add these colors! These changes will get us into the major stores now. We just keep adding new ideas to this product and it's your help by fishing and getting absolutely fantastic results!   We hope these colors will appeal to all!

Exciting NEW Chamber Colors now will add 300 DIFFERENT COLOR COMBINATIONS to your B.W.A.B.

Jan 2007

See the New B.W.A.B. Commercial from Big Ten Tackle!  (30 Seconds)

This is PA Back Country original Commercial design by P.B.C. for the show.

Watch Big Ten Tackle's PA Back Country on Sportsman Channel. Tuesdays 7:30 pm Starts Jan, 2007

In September of 2006, Big Ten Tackle Sponsors it's First NATIONAL Sport T.V. Show!!!

Pennsylvania Back Country will air on SPORTSMAN CHANNEL Starts JAN 2007  

The show will feature both fishing / hunting styles and ideas. This Show will explore the BIG TEN TACKLE Product line Including the B.W.A.B. and Ceramic Sinkers!

Spring 2007

With the Huge success Big Ten Tackle's PA Back Country is for the BWAB,

We decided to upgrade the commercial for the show to spotlight the Bobber With A Brain!

 BRAND NEW Commercial "2 AGAIN" from Big Ten Tackle!  <-- Click and Media Player should POP UP!

"2 AGAIN" was designed by the Inventor of the BWAB, the catchy little jungle at the end just adds to the fun of this new commercial (FEB 2007.) 

Early Summer 2007

Summer 2007

Big Ten Tackle designed the Product Sheet for stores. We felt the back needed a release from the word jungle we had on the old paperwork. Also did some changes to the front wording. This attractive sheet is slipped into the plastic blister we have. 

Package pictures are all over the site now.

 WORLDS ONLY 10 FUNCTION BOBBER!

2008

Big Ten Tackle is hard at work building a Store Base now. We have designed many Infomercials, Catalogs and Store Placement Postcards. We have run Advertisements in some very powerful Magazines and National attention is building. We are changing the way you fish and the public now is seeing what we mean. Please check out your local stores and magazines for us.

We need you all to spread the word about this great Fishing product. 

MAY 2008

Switched from the Plastic Shell package to a more "Tackle Box" Friendly Ceramic Sinker Bag!

This wonderful new idea was designed from the old artwork and Vector Lined by BagBarn !

These bags will show up in stores very soon!   They make a serious Lead-Free Product more visible and allow faster production in the U.S.A.!

Late Fall 2008

Customer Catalog idea was a early run of what we have now for customers/stores.

Start of 2009

We at Big Ten Tackle grabbed the Smart Tackle Products Name for our set of wonderful, successful fishing gear we sell.

So now the popular Bobber With A Brain is now:

Smart Tackle's   Bobber With a Brain

2009

Due to the many who have asked us to make the Fishing Rigs Store Ready we have done just that! 

A huge variety of colors and two style sinker sets, these rigs are now set up with store ready package and come many colors.   Also the very popular multi colored rig holders can be used over and over again.!

                                              < --- Click the Thumb Nails!

This expands our line and all of our products are Smart Tackle Products,    Changing the way you fish!

October 2009

Fish Ka Bobber

Big Ten Tackle's  Smart Tackle Line is being expanded as I type this note to you all.

The inventor of the Bobber With A Brain has invented a brand new "Do it yourself" Slip Bobber Construction kit. 

The "Fish Ka Bobber" (as the early name is.) is about ready to be put on sale. We have to build the store description paperwork and cards. But the product is sound and works excellent.

What will be hard is to explain all that his Kit can make. The Fish Ka Bobber can be cut and designed into hundreds of different bobber combinations. The real problem it solves is the fact that Sinkers come in different weights, the Slip Bobber you make from this kit lets you, the fisherman, pick the sinker you want to use and the Fish Ka Bobber can hold that sinker off the bottom. So the fish can't feel the tackle weight. The Fish Ka Bobber works Great and can be fished Day/Night, and in any water situation. Also it can used as a conventional (Round type) Bobber too. 

We believe the Fish ka Bobber is a true Fishing Slip Bobber Construction set!  (First of it's kind!) 

Looking for late September or Early October Release 2009 !!  We are excited !  -Roy M  B.B.T.

November 2009

Online Catalog Released after a major Distributor Show we attended in October!

Pictures are Thumbnails, Click each one and see the new catalog!

 Big Ten Tackle is Currently working on a new Products to be released in the future!

The most rewarding of anything is talking to great fans like yourself who have enjoyed catching allot of fish on something that really does work. Now that we are getting compliments even from over-seas fisherman we
know we have a WINNER! Thanks to all of our fellow fisherman for pushing
us to create and improve this bobber of the future (here today!)

Big Ten Tackle Thanks all of you for keeping us moving to the future! 

We hope to continue to add to this Museum Page, so check it out every now and then. Take care and remember to "surf the net" cause you just might find more fish in it, using the Bobber With A Brain!

All Information, Pictures, Thumbnails, Content (text or otherwise,) is Copywrited 2002-2005 BIG TEN TACKLE, USE WITH PERMISSION ONLY!