Bagley
Bagley Bait Company is a legendary American fishing lure manufacturer founded in the 1950s by inventor Jim Bagley in Winter Haven, Florida.
The company's fame is built on the revolutionary decision to use balsa wood for crankbait construction. Unlike the heavier plastic or wooden lures of the era, balsa allowed for the creation of lightweight, highly buoyant lures with a unique, extremely lifelike, high-amplitude action that perfectly imitated a wounded baitfish.
Key Products:
Bang-O-Lure: His first and iconic topwater lure, produced in a minnow shape, which established the company's success.
Bango B. (Diving B): A classic diver that became a benchmark for crankbaits.
Small Fry Series: A best-selling series of lures crafted in the extremely realistic shapes of small forage fish.
Jim Bagley's Legacy: Jim Bagley was also known for his original and innovative paint patterns (such as Black Salty), many of which remain iconic today.
After Jim Bagley's death in 1981, the company changed ownership multiple times. Despite this, the Bagley brand has maintained its core philosophy, and modern lures often blend traditional balsa construction with contemporary technology, preserving the quality of the original designs.
