Limited Edition Jitterbug Lures To Raise Funds and Commemorate Fred Arbogast’s Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Induction

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Kurt Mazurek | Last updated Sep 15, 2024 6:35 AM ET

Own a Piece of History

Here's an opportunity to own a little piece of history while helping raise funds to support our sport's number one organization dedicated to the celebration, promotion and preservation of bass fishing.

PRADCO, owner of the iconic Arbogast brand, has produce a limited-edition version of the Arbogast Jitterbug, with proceeds from their sale to benefit the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. Only 1,200 lures will be produced in four custom colors. Each model features the signature and personal stylings of all time greats such as everyone's favorite angler, Bill Dance, 2022 Bassmaster Classic Champ, Jason Christie, the greatest angler of all time, Kevin Vandam, and even the lure’s inventor, 2024 Hall of Famer, Fred Arbogast.

Where Can You Buy One?

The majority of the lures will be sold through PRADCO's online store at lurenet.com, while several sets will be auctioned off as part of “Celebrate Bass Fishing Week” in September, which culminates with the annual Bass Fishing Hall of Fame induction banquet on Sept. 26 at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Aquarium and Wildlife Museum in Springfield, Missouri.

For the Good of the Fishing Industry

It’s interesting to note this initiative also features a rare, but encouraging occurrence - cooperation between two fierce competitors in the fishing tackle industry. Even though VanDam has long been sponsored by Strike King lures, he was given special permission to lend his name and support to this effort to honor Arbogast's memory and contributions to the sport.

Fred Arbogast Limited Edition Jitterbug

Anyone who has ever caught a bass on a spinnerbait, buzzbait or skirted jig owes a special thanks to Fred Arbogast, one of the most creative innovators of fishing lures in the history of sportfishing. Released in 1939, the Jitterbug is unquestionably one of the most popular fishing lures of all-time, a testament to Arbogast's creative vision. By attaching the cupped portion of two kitchen spoons to the end of a piece of a wooden broomstick, then placing hooks along the bottom, he was able to fashion one of the ultimate topwater baits, renowned for its bass catching, wobbling and plopping action.

Bill Dance Limited Edition Jitterbug

The legend himself Bill Dance is known to many fans by one key piece of clothing, his Tennessee Volunteers ball cap! We decided to paint his Jitterbug to give ode to his home state with a beautiful pearl white base coat and added orange netting spray on the sides with a solid orange line. It was then capped off with his iconic signature on the back to complete this gorgeous color. If you're a fan of the funniest angler to ever step foot on a bass boat you will have to have this piece for your collection!

Jason Christie Limited Edition Jitterbug

Jason Christie isn't shy about speaking on his favorite hobby ahead of bass fishing which is how we came up with his iconic custom Jitterbug. Christie is a world renowned hunter and would live in a tree stand if his wife would allow it! Because of this we created a top-notch camo pattern for this lure blending tones of green, brown, black and finished off with his signature on top of its back. Jason has captured many titles in the bass fishing circuits including a 2022 Bassmaster Classic victory and we are sure that he will continue collecting trophies for years to come!

Kevin VanDam Limited Edition Jitterbug

The all time leading money winner in bass fishing history designed his Jitterbug to represent colors that have been with him throughout his career! If you watch tournaments featuring Mr. Vandam he valued his blacks and reds but also always had a hint of yellow featured on his jerseys and boat wraps. We blended each of these together by painting a glossy black base coat with a section of red dots on the sides of the lure, and capped it off with a bright yellow signature on the back.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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