Crankbait Corp — Vintage American Crankbaits

The origins of Crankbait Corporation trace back to the late 1960s in Beachwood, Ohio. Following its initial years, the manufacturing operations were relocated to Sheffield, Pennsylvania. As the name suggests, the company’s production was centered on crankbaits, with an emphasis on realistic aesthetics and detailed finishes.

The manufacturer’s catalog included several distinct series designed to imitate various types of forage. Among these were the Fingerling Series, comprised of compact lures, and the Yearling Series, which featured larger models. The company also produced lures with specialized body shapes, such as the Mad Tom and the Bullcat, developed to replicate specific prey species.

The independent history of the brand concluded in 1987. During that year, the company was acquired by Luhr-Jensen. The lineage of these lures shifted again in 2006 when Luhr-Jensen was incorporated into the Rapala VMC Corporation. Today, specimens from the original Crankbait Corp. production are sought by tackle collectors due to their rarity and the specific era of American manufacturing they represent.