Arkie Lures — Pioneers of the Weedless Bass Jig

The history of Arkie Lures began in the early 1960s in Springdale, Arkansas. Established by Arnold D. "Arkie" Williams, the company focused on developing lures capable of navigating heavy cover, such as stumps, brush, and timber, without snagging. In 1964, Williams introduced the Arkie Jig, which featured a combination of a streamlined head design and a fiber weedguard, allowing for precise presentations in dense structure.

Among the technical developments attributed to the brand, the fiber weedguard stands out as a primary feature. This component consists of a bundle of synthetic bristles extending from the jig head over the hook point, designed to deflect the lure away from underwater obstructions while remaining flexible enough to expose the hook during a strike. The head profiles of these jigs often utilized round or bullet-shaped designs to facilitate movement through narrow openings in submerged vegetation and wood.

The product range included jigs alongside various soft plastic trailers, such as crawfish imitations and grubs. These components were used together to mimic bottom-dwelling prey. Such lures became associated with specific bass fishing techniques, including pitching and flipping, aimed at extracting fish from thick cover. While the Arkie Jig remains a well-known design, the company’s catalog also encompassed other specialized lures and soft plastics intended for bass fishing applications.