Who, in fact, designed the first crankbait is a matter of debate
In Euro-speak it’s known as a “wobbler,” a diving lure that purports to replicate baitfish, and one of the first of its genre was constructed by Finnish angler Lauri Rapala in 1936. According to Mark Fisher, director of Rapala field promotions, it was born rather by necessity than desire. “They needed to catch fish to eat but couldn’t afford live bait,” Fisher said.
The Original Floating Minnow emulated a minnow in look and deed, but due to its featherweight cork composition and the fact that existing rods, reels and line were so rigid, the bait couldn’t be cast far. Therefore, trolling was the predominant means of operation.
As Lauri’s sons learned the craft, and demand for the lures burgeoned, a cottage industry was hatched. But local demand was eclipsed in 1959 when American Ron Weber began importing the revolutionary lures. Eventually, Weber and longtime friend Ray Ostrom formed Normark Corporation, the international distributor of Rapala products, and the rest is history.
But even before whittling was underway in Scandinavia, Joseph K. Rush developed the first “diving bait” in 1915. His design was later acquired by legendary lure maker Heddon. Around the same time, Creek Chub, another historic lure manufacturer, put the first metal bill on a bait, affecting it to dive.
Each of these innovations contributed to the subsequent creation of the deep-diving crankbait. Lure makers, such as Rapala and Creek Chub, spent much of the 1950s developing and then bettering designs.
And now, decades later, anglers are privy to crankbaits unimaginable. There isn’t a depth that can’t be covered or pattern or shape that isn’t produced.
Crankbaits have come a long way in a century’s time.