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