HEDDON BACKGROUND The story of how Jim tleddon discovered that fish would strike a piece of wood floating on the surface of the water parallels that of Julio Buel, who discovered that they would strike at a sinking piece of gyrating metal. Sitting on the bank uf the Dowagiac Creck, waiting for a fishing companion, Jim Neddon whiled away the time whittling oa a stick. Tossing the stick into the vater and watching it float away he vas startled to see an explosive spray of water as a bass spat out the stick it had so viciously struck. Inmediately, Jim Heddon's imaginative wheels began turning and there on the bank of Dowagiac Creek, the idea of a new industry was conceived. For the next few years Jim whittled his plugs by hand, painted them in a variety of colors and gave them to his fishing companfons vho expericnced imandiate success takiag bass and pike from surrounding lakes and streams Rapidly, the vord spread that a fisherman in Dowagiac had developed a new method of fishing with large wood plugs. Calls soon started coming in from distant points. Unable to keep up with the demand, Jin decided something had to be done. Sonething was done, In 1898, Jiw and his two sons, Charles and William, started Janes eddon's Sons in Nenu, tleddon's kitchen. wichin a Cey sears ic wag aecessacy to Ciad Larger quarters and he top Eloce of a dowurewn two-story buildivg ia Dowsgiac vas red. With larger quarters, more business was needed and under che giidance of Charies Heddon, a sales promotion vas started Dewonstrators traveled about the country, catching fish £ hema ponds aad steeams of jobbers whe could be couvinced ao othee vay, The demonstrations were successful and business theived, che a matter of fact, so successful was the Heddon "Dowagiac” catching fish that there was agitation in sons circles for Lagislacion to curb ita use. The following which appeared in the November (902 issue of a magazine c€ the time called "RECREATION" is of Inte "A MICHIGAN RAZORBACK "the following clipping was recently sent mo by a subscriber: aNiles, Mich.--Considerable excitement has been stirred up among fishermen of Cass County by a recent catch of large mouth black bass made in LaGrange pond, 5 miles East of Dowagiac, by James Heddon. Mr. Weddon captured 73 bass tn a few hours. One of the string weighed 6 pounds, while many of them weighed 3 and 4 pounds. The total weight of the catch was 114 pounds. This wholesale slaughtering of the bass has started an agitation which may result in presenting a petition to the Legislature at the next session asking for passage of a law that will prohibit the use of more than one hook on a bait when angling for bass.--Detroit Free Press "I vrote Mr. feddon, asking if the report was correct, and he replied: "I did catch 73 of the black beauties within a few hours. Thinking perhaps you would like to use a photograph, I am sending you one today.’ Chas. Heddon, Dowagiac, Michigan No, I do not care to use the photograph. If you had folloved the usual method of fish hogs and had stood beside the string, I should then have been glad to print the picture, in order that decent men might recognize you when they sav you ard shun you. The fish are not to te blamed for being photographed, and heing dead and hung up they are sinply like any other 73 dead bass. Lt is safe to assune that these fish vould average 2 pounds each or more; se it appears you destroyed 150 pounds of black bass, whereas no gentlemen would car to kil! more than 25 pounds in a day at the most. I ccust the cime Ray soon come when the Legislature of your State will curb the vicious appetites of such nen as you by vaacting a law limiting the number of fish auy man or boast nay take in a day.--Editor." Shortly after moving into their new quarters, th» Weddoa's, in 1907, developed the forerunner of the modern bait-casting tod. Tt was the first tine the short-butt, long iip peiactpal was used end the resultant action was so far Superior ty aaything in the rket that orders came with a rush. By 1997, the Heddon's found it necessary to build their own factory, a moderately sized building oa the site of the present plant. This building was enlarged and extended many times to its present size and in 1951, the Premier plant vas added to the company's facilities. @yDuring the years following the introduction of the “original Dowagiac", Weddon's brought out 2 numberof other balts some of which are still in the line where they have been Cor more than thirty-five years. Lacluded auong them are the “Lucky 13", “Meadow Mouse", and "Vamp Spook". In 1929, Heddon introduced a bait which was destined to become the best and most widely known bait of all time ~ the River Runt. Originally in one series, a small slow sinking bait, by 1933 it was offered in three additional series; sinking, floating, and joiated. Today, still popular with fishermen, it remains in the Heddon catalog in several different series. Up to 1930, all casting plugs were made of wood. In that year, Heddon introduced the first plastic bait. Made of lWeddyline (like pyralin) they were transparent, had a "Fish Flesh" appear- ance and were called "Spook". Others had attempted to make Plastic baits but no-one had found a way to add coloration or to paint them. Tt remained for teddon to discover a special chemical process, whereby the colors and finish became a part of the body itself. Heddon has always been known for the excellent finishes on its baits. Today, practically all the baits formerly made of wood are now nade of plastic, however, a nuch improved type of plastic is used. Agein with a first ia ishes vas Heddon in 1935. An entirely new design was introduced - the "Shore Minnow", It duplicated the appearance of certain transparent “Shore Ninnows", the back~ bone and ribs of which showed when held to the light. This re- mains a popular finish in baits even today. For a number of years, Weddon was an important producer of fly red lures. Among the best known were the “Wilder Dilg” fly lures perfected by B. F. Wilder, of New York, and Will HN. Ditg and christened after twelve of the country's foremost anglers. Included were such well known personages ss Irvin Cobb, Zane Grey, and Gifford Pinchot. Equally well known was the Heddon Bass Bug. Following World War TZ, the market for these lures was p demoralized by the influx of extremely low priced imports from Japan. They were dropped from the Weddon line in 1954. The history of Heddon has been replete with "firsts" in the industry! @First to commercially produce wooden casting plugs. First to use air brushes in painting baits. First to make baits out of plastic. First to introduce the "Shore Minnow" finish. First to produce a bait capitalizing on sound to attract fish - the Sonic. Firse to introduce the modern casting rod. First to sell over a million each of 14 different lures. Jim Heddon was the first man in the fishing tackle industry to be name to the Hall of Fame in sports by the National Sporting Goods Association. Perhaps the most illustrious first of all for leddon is its qecogaition both by the industry and by fishermen that anong all the companies, Heddon stands "firse". It ts regarded as the world's largest manufacturer of artifical baits. This in an industry in which more than 161 companies are engaged is a notable achievement. HEDDON TODAY... LURES Fanous Heddon lures like the River Runt, Crazy Cravler, Zara Spook, Sonic, and Sonar, are still going strong. While many new lures have been introduced by other companies, rarely NL1L they out-fish Heddon lures. Some authorities have staced that leddon has discontinued more good lures thun everyone else combined, has introduced; perhaps that is an overstatement, but it does speak well for our baits. Yet, as new fishing areas develop, Weddon has introduced new baits: BIG HEDD An ideal alphabet baie that cuns deep and tzus; it even bas a rattle, considercd ideal by most. And for 1977, Heddon will have a'3/8-ounce size, requested by our wany frients, field testing staff, and Advisory Council. one of the hottest new lures going, this baby can be chucked right {ato the pads and stick-ups aud cranked back oul. Tts Special "VW" shape comes through Lily pads and bonnets, and eee ides up and over logs. ‘the upward facing hook is hinged so Lt won't leverage and break 1£ fe hits a cock during the cast. the propeller provides for sound as well ag helping to Nake ft weedless; still more sound is provided by a rattle, & $/R-ounce lure, a 3/8-ounce version was just Lutroduced. (a)UI-JACKER A shad batt giving outstanding performance. Tt goes town fo tae pig ones and makes them make mistakes they wish they hadn't. WE ZARA IL years ago, Weddon's original Zara Spook performed amazing reer sstching techniques like “walking the dos", and the sien cetep'. This bait was so good that among the nany species of fish it caught were snook. The snook, as you seee, is a pretty hefty fish and they did a pretly good job saews itag up the Zara Spooks. For this reason lleddoy vent in tedteferent construction and a beefed-up version which E{ened quite well and still caught plenty of bass and snook, fished degame more difficult to "walk the dog” and do the Mesif step". This displeased a good many fishoruen. While eaten has made a change or two in the Zara Spook over the years to get it back at least somevhat closer te the configu- yeston that allowed for "walking the dog", there vas still ration feeman who felt we hadn't done it, towever, nol te give up, Heddon kept working on it and has tow alnost iden- 1p duplicated the original Zara Spook in the new Zara U She dara If has met with @ great deal of acclaim. SURFACE when Eished in a jerking fast-retrieve watter, the 7240 can eee steep ica i temepotpot at honvetet nycumcantiuae = be made plds and right over logs. This tremendous aotion $s dynamite in attracting bass- deddon has made so many baits for so many years and is now eeeetaiy the only old Line tackle company left tn business vireuarth a wide variety of lures, It sets us up as che juys to copy aud this has been done quite profusely Japanese imports are patterned after nore Hedien baits, for ecaas (eienaniiny)cnertge titer ie teehee toeony distinc Seantia My cadicicamienyscgtaok ob hel Gey sovenre cum anes fone Tike Cordeli’s Hot Spot, for example, you will see & veettkable resemblance of the tried and true lleddon Soule» teuly an amazing bait. A number of the other 60 called new Rote ceuruciasrker ta! -o aveleyete(eineaccreat eras omaaey voiden baits. This is understandable, and it ts the nate of Sed geencea eae qt) tay ucecect ing) tomecelEnacyCescen ete: cee aay everyone looka to when it is time to introduce = seu bait. : @)DEEP DIVING RIVER RUNT one of the current trends is back to deep diving baits, and fn August Heddon will reintroduce its Deep Diving River peeve this has been one of the most successful Tures of all eyee! the deep diving version has been by far one of the cine’ successful deep diving lures ever invented. It holds setstanding records for any species of fish from bass to walleye. NEW COLORS tn August of 1976, Heddon will introduce a whole series of re eeeey bright phosphorescent and fluorescent modern colors into its line. SPINNER BAITS teddon has been in and out of spinner baits several times in weedeat sixty years and now that they have reestablished RHenesTecatasi ener) (popularsbaits Weddent ni tep asso Oe reee er chemo eee in August of 1976. Me have rescarched approxinately whet iIneemen who specialize in the use of spinner baits and they range from people in the South, Southeast, Southwest Norch and the East and West Coast. Amazingly, almost everyone pouen yma auce lamas «thet ractactuapiunerpbaltanasyyecttolue cSeated. And to the man, they agreed exactly what the per- fect spinner bait should be. (There was one small area of disagreement.) According to this distinguished group, che Gerfece spinner bait should have a medium heavy spr io8y wire perrerside its position, the blade should be attached with a bait bearing swivel; a ball bearing so that the blade rovare easily on a very slow retrieve or gyrates on the sink: The Snap swivel is so that different blades can be interchanged ner ime tie should not be the safety pin type, as the line gets caught in behind it, gets pinched, and then breaks. The Bees seeticher che twist. type or the one that comes up and bends around. The one area of disagreement was in skirts; you preferred the vinyl skirt as ic lasts longer, 30% pre) RGeat ee veuribber mkire Bacscse(otetneluetteumact {ona mua cam tiil introduce the spinner bait with the vinyl skirt, as ff vitld cost 15¢ more at the retail level to put on the rubber weire, and we feel that most fishermen would not appreciate SKIES) fowever, we probably will make rubber skirts available as an attachment. (6)RODS Going back approximately 12 years, Heddon was probably the leader in introducing new actions and special purpose type rods. Our Mark series, the Muskie, the Walleye, and Bass Worm rod type actions were widely accepted by fishermen. Heddon rode with this and many of the competitive companies followed on our heels. For 1976 and 1977, Heddon will ba introducing a serfes of new rods with greatly improved ac- tions and appearance. The leader in this series was already introduced and we call it the Slickstick. [It is a worm rod action with aluminum oxide guides and a modern low profile handle, The line will be expanded to other actions, spinning rods, spin-casting, and fly rods; there will be other new lines as well. In other actions, our #9912 Salmon and Coho rod is catching on like gang busters, wherever this type of fish are caught. The rod gives super action, is light and sensitive enough to enjoy 2 and 3 pound Coho in the beginning of the season and yet it has all the heft to handle a 40 pound chinook in the fall. Because of its action, the rod actually allows you to land more fish. Its sensitivity allows you to hook more also. Heddon has so many rods it is hard sometimes to really zero in on specific ones, but lately we have gotten outstanding comments on our Mark IV, #6305, as being a super walleye rod. We have had several stories from people who have been out-fished by friends that have owned that $6305, and they consider it their secret weapon when it cones ro walleye. GRAPHITE RODS. The state of art is changing literally daily. Exon, 2M, and other major companies involved in the rod in- ustry are all working on graphite. Their actions and manu~ facturing techniques, are continually changing. One of the big problems is that the properties of the material are not readily transferable into an actual fishing rod. Thus, most of the current rods are very stiff and fishermen have not yet learned how to use them, For example, you can exert as much pressure against a fish or in breaking a lure loose by putting a very slight bend in a graphite rod, whereas you vould have to put a much bigger bend in a fiberglass rod. Fishermen are trying che same thing with graphite and when they do they break ic. In addition, maay fishermen find the sti ss ina araphite rod unacceptable. fleddon does have a position and does have a number of graphite rods. We feel, hovever, that the Line should not be expanded at the time because things are changing so rapidly that the rods that were made as carly as just a few months ago, have already been obsoleted by new developments. In addition, as the state of the art develops and better rods are made, the price will come down. Heddon maintains a very substantial knowledge of graphite and as cach new development comes along, we can immediately put them into our rods and if necessary, continue to lower the price, as the price of the material to us is reduced Q)ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENTS HEDDON COUNCIL his group was started almost two years ago to provide expert input on rods, recls, lures, and what is happening in fishing, conservation, and new fisheries development. The people are outstanding and include every- one from the Chairman of the Board of Rockwell International Chief Legal Counsel for Continental Can, Bobby Knight, coach of Indiana University's Basketball Team and Coach of the Year businessmen, sales executives, charter captains, and guides They have one thing in common, and I call them Fish-o-holics They, like those of us at Heddon, love fishing and love to talk to people about it. Their input has been outstanding and from this we have gotten excellent suggestions for lures colors, rods, and recls. Tt was from this group that the ideal spinner bait has been designed. AEDDON FIELD TESTERS. This group of approximately 50 people is now being formed. Primary emphasis will be on lures, and the continued development and testing of current Heddon lures and new introductions. Rods and reels, however, will be available for test purposes and for use in tournaments, etc. JACK DAVIS. Jack Davis, Heddon's master lure designer, lives in Florida. He is continually fishing and experimenting with new Lures, and fs personally responsible for the Hi-Jacker and the brush Popper, as well as the Prowler and other lures in the Heddon line. Jack will be featured in the July issue of SPORTS AFIELD, probably under the title of "The Man Who Think Like A Bass”. His creativity and his innate sense of knowing what make fish strike, allows him to create some of the world’ most outstanding lures Heddon is probably the only major tackle company that has a strong position in hard lures, spinner baits, spinners, jigs, and rods and reels. With new products, new people, new developments, one of the finest and oldest names in the tackle business will become an even more important factor in the fisherman's tackle box. (8)