Blakemore Baits

Blakemore Baits was founded around 1959 by Chuck Blakemore in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Chuck Blakemore was a dedicated angler who sought to create a lure that combined the flash and vibration of a spinner with the simplicity of a jig head.

His invention, the Road Runner, was an immediate success, particularly among anglers targeting Crappie and other panfish. The company built its reputation entirely on this single, revolutionary design, and today remains a leading name in light tackle and panfish fishing.

The Road Runner Design

The Road Runner is the cornerstone of Blakemore Baits' success, standing as one of the most successful and imitated crappie lures ever invented.

Integrated Spinner: The key innovation is a small safety-pin style spinner blade (or an inline blade) attached to the underside of the jig head via a wire arm or an eyelet. This blade spins freely below the head, even at very slow retrieve speeds.

The design effectively combines the profile and simplicity of a weighted jig with the flash and vibration of a spinner, making it highly effective in a variety of water conditions.

While the Road Runner is synonymous with Crappie fishing, its versatility means it is also extremely popular for Trout, Perch, Walleye, and even Bass, particularly when rigged with a soft plastic grub or tube.