Bomber
Bomber Bait Company is a historic American fishing lure manufacturer, founded in Gainesville, Texas, renowned for pioneering lures that could dive quickly to deep water.
The company was established in 1942 as a small business by C.S. "Turby" Turbeville and Ike Walker in Gainesville, Texas. The company was officially incorporated in 1946.
The idea for the Bomber originated while fishing on the deep Lake Murray. The founders sought a lure that would sink rapidly to substantial depths and could effectively work through submerged cover and brush without snagging.
The Original Bomber Lure:
Construction: The first Bomber lures (patented in 1947) were wooden (made from white cedar) and featured a large metal lip. The wooden body allowed the lure to float up above snags, while the aggressive lip provided the deep dive.
Handcrafted Beginnings: The very first versions had lips cut from Prince Albert tobacco cans and featured hand-made line ties.
Key Products:
Bomber Model A: A classic, all-purpose medium-diving crankbait.
Bomber Long A: A popular minnow-style lure known for its excellent swimming action.
Fat Free Shad: A modern deep-diving crankbait, developed later, that is one of the most popular tournament lures.
Evolution and Ownership: In 1971, the company transitioned to using plastic for all its lures. In 1988, Bomber Bait Company was acquired by the PRADCO Outdoor Brands corporation, which also owns brands like Heddon, Rebel, and Cotton Cordell.
