Lonnie Stanley’s brainstorm has rewarded anglers worldwide
Story from Stanley Jigs
On December 9, Stanley Jigs will celebrate 40 years of bringing success and happiness to anglers around the country and around the world. Five-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier and BASS Mega Bucks Champion Lonnie Stanley established the Stanley Jigs company in College Station, and his lures have produced multiple championships and fishing records.
Today, he remains at the company along with members of the Hale family.
“I feel like I’m living the American dream,” Stanley said. One night while we were lying in bed, I told my wife Patsy that I wanted to quit my job and build baits. She told me that was OK and blessed my wish with a kiss. The first building for the business was a used portable that I bought for $200 at a construction site. I was only able to pay for my first order of supplies because I’d won a tournament the weekend before.
He initially started off building high-quality jigs with hand-tied skirts. A few years later added spinnerbaits. In 1984, Stanley introduced the famous Wedge Blade, which almost immediately became a huge success and remains an enduring staple today.
Forty years later the company remains an American icon, headquartered in the All-American, one light town of Huntington, Texas. With the added brainpower and ingenuity of Robert and John Hale, also former Classic qualifiers, and inventors of the Hale Craw Worm, the company will continue to flourish. A Stanley Jig with a Hale Craw Worm produced Ethel, the largest bass ever caught on an artificial lure in Texas . It was the first of numerous Texas ShareLunkers caught on Stanley Jig and Hale Lure products.
Stay tuned for more announcements from the Stanley Jigs team over the next few months as we find creative ways to celebrate this big anniversary.
