Cotton Cordell
Cotton Cordell Lures
The famous American company Cotton Cordell was founded by Carl Richey "Cotton" Cordell in 1952. He earned the nickname "Cotton" because of his light-colored hair. Legend has it that he constructed his very first lure in his kitchen from makeshift materials—plastic, decorated with the fur of his pet setter dog.
Cotton Cordell began manufacturing lures in the 1950s, driven by the desire to create high-quality, yet affordable baits that imitated natural forage. His business started as a handcrafted operation.
Red-Fin: This is his first and arguably most famous invention. It is a minnow-style crankbait known for its unique action (wobble) that simulates a large, sick, or wounded baitfish. The Red-Fin is often used for slow trolling or as a wakebait (topwater lure) that creates a significant wake on the water.
In 1973, Cordell released his famous lure, the "Big O".
Super Spot: A classic lipless crankbait (rattlin) that became a direct competitor to the Rat-L-Trap. The Super Spot is known for its distinct rattle and heavy vibration, effective for quickly locating fish.
Gay Blade: A metal blade bait, highly popular for vertical jigging in cold water.
Cotton Cordell was instrumental in shaping the lure market in the mid-20th century. His baits have won numerous tournaments.
Today, Cotton Cordell Lures is part of the large PRADCO Outdoor Brands corporation (along with Bomber, Heddon, and Rebel), ensuring the preservation of classic designs and wide distribution.
