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