The Bomber Lure Story

Whatever the conditions, you need to reach the fish where they're most likely to strike. That means getting your fishing lure in close with a risky chance of getting snagged in moss beds, weeds, rocky reefs, ledges, brush or stumpy bottoms. No one understood that problem better than avid anglers Ike Walker and C.S. Turbeville, two "fishin' buddies" who spent most of their fishing time on North Texas impoundments filled with trees and brush. In the mid-thirties and early forties, there was no lure on the market at that time that could get down deep without always "hangin'-up."

In search of a deep-running bass lure, these enterprising anglers began to create and field test lure shapes they carved from discarded cedar power poles, given to them by the local power company. Walker and Turbeville crafted their lures' metal parts from discarded tobacco cans. Hooks were taken from old fishing lures, sharpened and mounted on their latest models. During WWII such materials were not readily available, thus they had to be creative in their pursuit of the "perfect lure."

By 1946, these anglers-turned-lure-designers founded the Bomber Bait Company. Their modest production facility was headquartered in Turbeville's garage. During those early years, the only fishing lures made and sold were the now famous Bomber. In the early 1960's, they began to design and produce other styles of lures. It was then they met, and later employed, a noted local angler, Floyd Mabry. Mabry traveled throughout the country fishing with leading outdoor writers, distributors and tackle shop owners, demonstrating the virtues of fishing with Bomber baits. Mabry became a true fishing legend when he was inducted into the "Fishing Hall of Fame." Until his death in 1991, Mabry could be found almost every day, living his legend…fishing on his favorite lake, using his favorite lure…a Bomber.

With a full range of fishing lures to meet almost every condition, Bomber fishing lures have become the favorite of anglers all over the world. Bomber lures run straight and true with enticing life-like action upon retrieval, fast or slow. And their design helps you float clear and away to prevent hooks from getting entangled in underwater obstructions, meaning you can fish as near to their protective cover as possible with a minimum of lost lures or excessive hang-ups. Even in the hottest summer months when live bait seems the only solution, Bomber fishing lures have the versatility that puts them in a class all by themselves.