RIP Buster Loving

[Bill Babler]

One of Table Rock, Bull Shoals and Taney’s best and longest professional guides pasted away this week at a way to young age. 

Buster Loving  guided all the lakes, starting in the early 90’s. 

He was known for his expertise on Bull Shoals with a jerkbait as one of the best walleye fisherman to ever fish that pond. 

On the Rock he was just as deadly catching bass with homemade modified jerk baits. 

In the early to mid-2000’s Buster and Tim Sainato were perhaps the most deadly team in SWMO either competing on Bull Shoals or Table Rock. 

Buster was a good friend of mine and we fished together and competed against each other. Buster and I also fished in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and most all our Missouri lakes on fishing trips  

He continually asked me to come go fishing with him in recent years. I wish I would have done so more often.  Never had a bad day with him in the boat  

Buster was also just flat deadly on White Bass. When others could not get them to bite Buster would produce limits for his clients. Mostly in the last 10 years using small stick baits that he worked in an erratically power fishing motion. 

Buster was very good on Taney also however he just really didn’t like to trout fish. His clients most always had limits. The past 5 years due to crowds he just basically didn’t fish it much, preferring the solitude of Bull Shoals. 

Buster also loved catching Taney  Bass.  He had 1 double digit and many 7 to 9 pounders out of lower Taney. 

Buster loved to go to Lake Fork he had 2 fish there over 10 pounds and boat loads of 6 plus pounders fishing his 5’ pistol grip rod and 10 lb. test line. Of course with his signature home made jerk baits. 

No one and I mean No one ever soaked a stickbait longer than Buster.  When Bull is in the mid to high 40’s, that bait stayed WET and still. Buster worked his bait in a rhythm that I copied but have never perfected.
Yes, I catch them as many here do, but not even remotely approaching his ability.  A true Master of his craft. 

His equipment and techniques will not be taught as they go against the norm, but I’ve never seen his equal, at any level with a stick bait. 

Buster leaves behind 2 daughters and a son. 
Rest in peace.  Buddy, I’ll think of you often. 










 

 

[Quillback]

Sorry to hear that.  I know someone that fished with him a few times and they caught some really nice fish.  

[pstone]

Sorry to hear about Buster.   Never met him,  but knew of him and his skills.    Will say a prayer for his family.

[Lvn2Fish]

RIP Buster . I fished against him for many many years . Money was donated to that stick bait many many times 

[huntest]

I had the honor of fishing with Buster on many occasions. Middle of the night for giant stripers, stickbaits for walleye on mud flat dropoffs, swimbaits for SM on main lake flats, huge white bass in the back of coves with stickbaits, and much more. 

He was a dear friend of Mike Gundy, the head football coach of Oklahoma State because they were both all state wrestlers and football studs. 

I will be forever grateful for what he taught me about SM bass fishing. It helped me immeasurably to show my grandsons the pure joy of latching on to a big powerful SM. 

RIP Buster

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Never met him but always followed his posts, I fish upper Bull so much and i know he was a master there, wish i had half the knowledge he has about that area.  I think he will always be one of the legends of upper bull, i doubt any will come close to the monster walleye he has caught up there

[frankie2969]

YES, RIP Buster.

Had the pleasure of drawing both he and Tim fishing the Central Pro Am years ago. Drew Tim on Tablerock and Buster on Beaver. At that time he'd put 4 smallies in the boat in a matter of minutes. I'm thinking 4 smallies in a bag were all you could have. To many years ago to remember, anyway they were the ultimate sticks. They were both great fishermen and most of all great guys. Treated everyone with great respect.

[m&m]

So sorry to hear about Buster’s passing. RIP Buster. 
Mike

[Bill Babler]

Frankie if I remember correctly he was fishing a swimming minnow down there. I believe he won that derby. 

Been a while back and I had totally forgotten about that one.  Thanks for the memories. 
 

[frankie2969]

Yes he was, fishing a swimming minnow about 2" long. Just wacked em. I was throwing a jighead worm, couldn't get a sniff.