Our History

It was the late 1950s when Harry Ehlers, an avid fisherman and advertising executive for the maker of Totes rubber rain boots, first saw a boot mold being dipped into plastic. He'd been looking for a way to pull the big bass from weedy farm ponds, and at that moment his vision of a soft, hollow-bodied frog lure was born.

Encouraged by his fellow outdoorsmen, Harry began working at night developing the lure. After a few months (and more than a few ruined pots and pans) melting and molding rubber in his kitchen, he  perfected the design - the world's first weedless frog! Advertising in the classified section of Field & Stream soon brought in enough orders to make Snag Proof a full time business, and the company moved into its current facility outside of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Today, Harry's kids (Harry Jr. and Connie) carry on the Snag Proof tradition. They are continuously improving on this American original, offering more than 25 varieties of fish-catching weedless lures, and helping fishermen everywhere enjoy the thrill of a monster bass blowing up through the lily pads.

Continuous Innovation

New products are introduced annually and current lures are always being updated. We pride ourselves on being the leaders of lure innovations. How do we do it? We keep a close eye on the environment. As ponds, lakes and water evolve and change, new obstacles arise for fishing in them. We solve those problems as they arise, making new lures for new fishing conditions.

Here’s a list of just the 2006’s innovations:

• The Bleedin’ Frog – This lure brings frog fishing to the next level! Its custom, wide-gap, red Owner hook is proven to trigger the strike reflex in fish! The redesigned body and special weighting system makes the frog more “aqua-dynamic” and makes “walking-the-frog” easy. The Bleedin’ theme extends to threads of red in the skirt, which has fewer, thinner strands, for less resistance in the water and added movement.

• The Frog Works! – Everything you need to create your own secret weapon! It’s a customizing kit for Frogs, Rats, and other lures. Special tools, Spike-It markers, Gamakatsu EWG hooks, weights, rattles, bells and more. PLUS - Tips & techniques from top pros! Get the advantage today! Over $70 value for $29.95!

• All New Look! – Finding your favorite brand just got easier! We just updated all our packaging in eye-catching colors. Be on the lookout for your favorite frogs & “critters” in our new look at the tackle shop!
  

Fresh Water Lures

Snag Proof produces 23 different styles of fish-catching weedless lures ranging from “critters” such as Frogs, Mice, Leeches, Lizards, Worms, and Craws to Crankbaits, Buzzbaits, and Poppers. Best known for Frogs, Snag Proof offers a wide variety of them from the Original Frog, to the Skirted Frog, the very popular Tournament Frog and the biggest frog on the market -- FROGZILLA!

The basic concept; a soft hollow body with a double hook hugging the sides allows the lure to slide through weeds, moss, over lily pads and other structure without snagging. This lets the fisherman access areas on a body of water where most gamefish hide and feed and where ordinary lures can’t go. The soft, hollow body also feels more natural to the fish and the fish will actually turn the lure in his mouth and begin chewing it, giving the fisherman more time to set the hook.

The lures are very effective and, fun to use! The excitement of a big bass or pike blowing up through the weeds or lily pads to get at the frog is terrific! Tournament pros in the world of bass fishing use them to consistently up the weight in their live wells during tournaments such as the B.A.S.S. Classic. This type of lure is also good for beginners since they won’t be hanging up in the weeds and cleaning weeds from the lure--more time to fish!

Salt Water Lures

Branching out into the saltwater market under the trade name Sea Bay, offerings include the Twitchin’ Shrimp, Crippled Crab and Sea Demon. These lures sport special cad-tinned double hooks and holographic glitter bodies. Ideal for inshore and flats or pole fishing these lures attract trout, redfish, snook, and many others.

Distribution

Snag Proof and Sea Bay lures are distributed through wholesalers and dealers worldwide. About 1/4 of production is exported through agents to Japan, Italy, Spain and Russia as well as countries in South America. Snag Proof also produces private label lures.

Catalogs and brochures are available for Snag Proof and Sea Bay lures and are distributed at trade and consumer shows and seminars as well as through consumer requests.

So, if you’re planning to fish in a weed-choked lake or river, your best choice of lures is in the Snag Proof line of products. They’re 100% weedless and guaranteed to get more strikes and catch more fish -- and that makes fishing much more fun! For more info on how to get our lures, go to Where to Buy.

For recent press releases regarding Snag Proof, click here.