Gene Larew Acquires Crappie Pro

Posted by editor on July 2, 2015

(July 1, 2015) - Gene Larew Lures has acquired Crappie Pro, a popular crappie fishing brand known for its quality jig heads featuring horizontal balancing, super sharp hooks and durable color finishes. 

Larew purchased the Crappie Pro trademark and related assets from Janice Russell, who decided to sell the business in the months following the death of co-owner and husband Larry Russell. They were a well-known couple in crappie fishing circles, having started Crappie Pro nearly 20 years. 

"The passing of Larry left the kind of void in our industry that's hard to fill because he was tuned in to crappie fishing and passionate about the people who enjoyed the sport," said Larew President Chris Lindenberg. "We're grateful to Janice for allowing us this opportunity to continue the Crappie Pro legacy in his honor and we promise to make her and the crappie community proud in how we do it."

Both headquartered in Oklahoma, Larew (Tulsa) and Crappie Pro (Eufaula) had an existing relationship that began soon after Larew purchased the Bobby Garland crappie bait brand in early 2007. The Mo' Glo glow-in-the-dark jighead series has been a Crappie Pro exclusive within the Garland product lineup ever since.

Crappie Pro products will be incorporated into the Gene Larew Lures booth and alongside the company's Larew and Garland brands at the annual fishing tackle industry tradeshow called ICAST, scheduled for July 15 - 17, 2015, in Orlando.

"The panfish category has been a shining star for the industry in recent years and Larew's expansion into the crappie market has been a great move for us. Larry and Janice Russell had a wonderful vision many years ago and we'll keep it going," added Lindenberg.