From the small town of Garrett, Indiana, Creek Chub Bait Company rose to become one of the largest fishing lure companies. Unofficial accounts indicate that some of the founders of the Creek Chub Bait Company were working on their ideas, experimenting and making handmade lures circa 1906, several years before the company's "official" founding, and selling them to friends and local anglers. In 1910, George Schultess, Carl Heinzerling and Henry S. Dills joined forces to establish this now famous firm, then housed in a very small factory building in Garrett, Indiana. Carl owned the local hardware and sporting goods store, George was the master businessman and Henry is known as the originator and developer of the Wiggler - the official fishing bait that started the company.
Taking most of the year to establish their business, they made their first deliveries to local shops in 1911. Their business continued to grow at a rapid rate, requiring larger quarters in 1929. This goes to show that the bait business flourishes even in times of economic downturn, as people have an increased desire to spend more time fishing. Since then, Creek Chub fishing baits have set world records for decades will soon be celebrating its 100th year.
Several innovations devised by the Creek Chub Bait Company dramatically changed the fishing tackle and lure industry. One of those inventions was the artificial appendage, or lip to attach to the lure, making it wiggle. Another significant contribution to the lure industry was their unique method of painting with the use of the netting from ladies' hats. The paint applied through this netting creates the now widely used scale patterns. Their first use of this technique can be found on lures dating back to 1917.
Creek Chub Bait Company was also one of the first in the industry to incorporate the use of glass eyes on their lures thus adding a dramatically realistic appearance. The Creek Chub Bait Company was one of the most innovative bait companies in its early years, as demonstrated by the many patents it held. Some of the earliest on record were those for a weedless fishing bait that featured a spring-loaded hooking device. It has been reported that scores of patents were granted to the company between 1920 and the early 1930's.
All of the innovations made by the company have resulted in more effective fishing lures, as attested to by the number of anglers around the world that have made world-record catches using a wide range of Creek Chub baits. The most notable is one that remains unbroken today, set by George Perry in 1932 with his catch of a giant 22-pound, 4-ounce Largemouth Bass on a Creek Chub lure from Lake Montgomery, Georgia. After four decades, and with all the sophisticated bass lures that have been created, that record still stands. Over the years Creek Chub fishing baits have been credited with establishing record catches of muskie, pike, snook and striper. Creek Chub maintains a long history of creating some of the finest fishing lures that catch trophy fish.
As long as there are Creek Chub Baits, with a long history of creating some of the finest lures, world record catches will continue to be made and broken!