| It was the late 1950s and Harry Ehlers, an avid | | | | the very popular Tournament Frog and the |
| fisherman and advertising executive at Solo Marx | | | | biggest frog on the market-- FROGZILLA!The |
| (better known as Totes, makers of rubber rain | | | | basic concept; a soft hollow body with a double |
| boots) observed a boot mold being dipped into | | | | hook hugging the sides allows the lure to slide |
| plastic. He had the idea to create a fishing lure | | | | through weeds, moss, over lilypads and other |
| using the same method. As with many fishing lure | | | | structure without snagging. This lets the fisherman |
| businesses, Snag Proof started over the kitchen | | | | access areas on a body of water where most |
| stove. Mr. Ehlers combined his knowledge gleaned | | | | gamefish hide and feed and where ordinary lures |
| from working at Totes Rubber Company with his | | | | can't go. The soft, hollow body also feels more |
| love for fishing and created a soft, hollow-bodied | | | | natural to the fish and the fish will actually turn |
| frog lure for catching big bass from weedy farm | | | | the lure in his mouth and begin chewing it, giving |
| ponds.Encouraged by fellow outdoorsmen at Solo | | | | the fisherman more time to set the hook.The |
| Marx, Harry began working at night developing the | | | | lures are very effective and, fun to use! The |
| lure and a machine that could produce a number | | | | excitement of a big bass or pike blowing up |
| of lures at once. Advertising in the classified | | | | through the weeds or lilypads to get at the frog |
| section of Field & Stream and Fur Fish & Game | | | | is terrific! Tournament pros in the world of bass |
| soon brought in the orders to make Snag Proof a | | | | fishing use them to consistently up the weight in |
| full-time business. Harry hired Richard Patmann to | | | | their live wells during tournaments such as the |
| help in the production while Harry's wife Vivian | | | | B.A.S.S. Classic. This type of lure is also good for |
| assembled the lures and kept the books. Soon | | | | beginners since they won't be hanging up in the |
| the company outgrew the Ehlers' home and | | | | weeds and cleaning weeds from the lure--more |
| moved for a short time to a little "hole-in-the-wall" | | | | time to fish!Branching out into the saltwater |
| site before moving to the present 7000 square | | | | market under the trade name Sea Bay, offerings |
| foot location in the northeast suburbs of Cincinnati, | | | | include the Twitchin' Shrimp, Crippled Crab and |
| Ohio. At the time Harry wondered how they | | | | Sea Demon. These lures sport special cad-tinned |
| would ever fill the building. Snag Proof is now | | | | double hooks and holographic glitter bodies. Ideal |
| busting at the seams!Employing 13 people on site | | | | for inshore and flats or pole fishing these lures |
| with 7 in production, 1 in shipping, 4 in packaging, | | | | attract trout, redfish, snook, and many |
| 10 who assemble the lures in their homes and | | | | others.New products are introduced annually and |
| Richard Patmann as plant manager. The core | | | | current lures are updated as the market changes. |
| employees--Lynda Sturgill, Lexie Branham, Peggy | | | | Snag Proof also produces private label lures.Snag |
| Simpson and Darlene Martin have all been loyal | | | | Proof and Sea Bay lures are distributed through |
| Snag Proof employees for at least 12 years and | | | | wholesalers and dealers worldwide. About 1/4 of |
| Richard for about 40 years! Harry's son & | | | | production is exported through agents to Japan, |
| daughter, Harry Ehlers Jr. and Connie Ehlers Fuller | | | | Italy, Spain and Russia as well as countries in |
| are co-owners, and with Mom, Vivian, and the | | | | South America.Catalogs and brochures are |
| team effort of all employees, are growing Snag | | | | available for Snag Proof and Sea Bay lures and |
| Proof and producing over 1 million lures annually. | | | | are distributed at trade and consumer shows and |
| Harry Sr., probably wouldn't recognize the place! | | | | seminars as well as through consumer |
| (Sadly, Harry Sr. passed away in 1984.)Snag Proof | | | | requests.So, if you're planning to fish in a |
| produces 23 different styles of fish-catching | | | | weed-choked lake or river, your best choice of |
| weedless lures ranging from "critters" such as | | | | lures is in the Snag Proof line of products. They're |
| Frogs, Mice, Leeches, Lizards, Worms, and Craws | | | | 100% weedless and guaranteed to get more |
| to Crankbaits, Buzzbaits,and Poppers. Best known | | | | strikes and catch more fish, --and that makes |
| for Frogs, Snag Proof offers a wide variety of | | | | fishing much more fun! |
| them from the Original Frog, to the Skirted Frog, | | | | |