LureCraft Fisherman's Shop expanding in Steuben County

She’s returning to do business very close to where her initial company first got started, at Wall Lake, where she calls home.

“Very close to home, within a mile,” she said of the new facility where her company will be located in Orland.

The LaGrange manufacturer of fishing lures and components announced plans Wednesday to expand its operations here, creating up to 91 new jobs by 2017, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. announced.

Straley and her husband, Shawn, started Poorboys Bait in their garage some 13 years ago, making such well-known, hand-poured baits as the Erie Darter and Drop Shot Goby.

For a time, Poorboys used components made by LureCraft, which has been in business since 1966, then the Straleys purchased that company in 2006.

Poorboys Bait itself has been sold, but LureCraft lives on.

With a new partnership formed with Wicked Tuna, a National Geographic reality show about tuna fishing, the company has grown to the point it needs a new facility and a much larger workforce, Straley said.

Using new injection molding equipment, Straley said the company will be 10 times larger than when it was doing hand-poured baits, and just with hand-poured baits, the company was the largest in the Midwest.

In addition to their own lines, Straley said, “We also pour for other companies.”

But the big break is coming from Wicked Tuna, which wanted to work with a small company that could provide individual attention. Work with Wicked Tuna started in June and has mushroomed.

In the new facility, which is supposed to be up and running by December, it will start slowly then grow.

“It is starting out on a slow scale then it will ramp up once they start selling wholesale,” Straley said.

In addition to tuna and other forms of saltwater fishing, the Wicked Tuna products will include freshwater fishing markets like those found in northeast Indiana.

“They are going to cover the whole realm, the whole spectrum of fishing,” Straley said.

What makes their lures special is a proprietary glow product used in the molding process.

LureCraft will invest $408,000 to purchase, renovate and equip the 22,000 square-foot facility in Orland, which will increase its operations by more than 15,000 square feet from its current LaGrange facility. The new location will allow the company to grow its fishing lure production, expand its warehouse and ship its products around the world.

“LureCraft noticed a need in the market and met it, helping fishermen build their own lures,” said Eric Doden, president of the IEDC. “After establishing itself, it sought growth opportunities and found them. These are hallmarks of Hoosier innovation and ingenuity. We are happy that after its initial Indiana success, they are adding new jobs and keeping their growth here at home.”

LureCraft is already hiring for manufacturing positions and plans to hire additional assembly, packing and managerial associates in the coming months. Interested applicants may apply at the company’s current facility in LaGrange, through any WorkOne office or online at indianacareerconnect.com.

“When looking across the Midwest for the ideal facility, we kept coming back to Indiana,” Straley said. “We found the ideal location in Orland, and when paired with the Hoosier workforce available here, Indiana stood out as the perfect location.”

Founded in 1966, LureCraft manufactures liquid soft plastic, coloring, plastic molds and aluminum molds, which fisherman and other companies use to manufacture and assemble fishing lures. Since 2006, the company has tripled its revenues from fishing lure components for national and international audiences.

LureCraft has been awarded a contract for the Wicked Glow Lures line of fishing lures featured in the National Geographic reality television series Wicked Tuna and Wicked Tuna: North vs. South. These fishing lures, which are designed by the show’s fishermen, will be available to purchase this month online through the Wicked Glow Lures website and in the coming months at sporting goods stores including Bass Pro Shop, Cabela’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered LureCraft Fisherman’s Shop, Inc. up to $350,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $100,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. Steuben County will consider additional incentives at the request of the Steuben County Economic Development Corp.

“LureCraft has an excellent opportunity through their new partnership with Wicked Tuna and the National Geographic channel,” said Rick Shipe, president of the Steuben County Council. “We are happy to assist the company and wish them great success.”

Shipe said a tax abatement proposal will be presented by LureCraft on Tuesday. He didn’t have details of their request.

“We will get our first look at the figures Tuesday,” Shipe said.

Shipe credited work by the Steuben County Economic Development Corp. for bringing LureCraft to Orland.