Poke, I caught about a 3 lb bass on a plastic worm when I was about 8 years old. It was one of those worms that was prerigged with 2 or 3 hooks protruding from it with mono attached. I was using some kind of Zebco and a fiberglass rod. I was fascinated with all the wooden lures in the adult's tackle boxes---Lucky 13's, Lazy Ikes,Creek Chubs, Plastic worms, Hula Poppers, Injured Minnows and on and on. For some reason, even then, I didn't care for live bait. Artificials have always been my game.

xiphius,
I still love the bluegills. They are one of my very favorite fish to this day. They either make me laugh or smile. I guess I never really grew up.