The Lazy Ike, from its handcrafted origins in the 1930s, has been one of the most storied and renowned fishing lures in the history of angling. It played a significant role in the fishing lure industry as some of the most versatile fishing lures ever created, and the most widely used lures in the world. The Lazy Ike's reputation was built from the hands of Newel Daniels of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Daniels carved the first Lazy Ike and continued to hand carve each and every Lazy Ike that hit the market from 1938 to 1940. All Lazy Ikes were handmade until lathe production began in 1945. Wood production ceased in 1960 when a plastic version was made.
While production changed, the enticing lifelike action that makes them one of the most revolutionary fishing lures remains the same. With a finish that's as accurate and close to "natural" as possible, the lazy roll of an Ike has started the fishing memories of generations and generations of anglers. After all, what really counts is how the lure works in the water. That lifelike action is what really catches the fish. Whether it is a walleye, bass or northern pike, many fishermen caught their first fish on a Lazy Ike fishing lure. In fact, it is safe to say that the Lazy Ike is one of the most often used artificial fishing lures in the history of fishing.