Luhr-Jensen

A Legacy Born in the Great Depression

Few fishing tackle brands can claim a heritage as authentic as Luhr-Jensen. Founded in 1932 by Luhr Jensen, an enterprising Hood River millworker who began hand-stamping metal spinners during the Depression using dies made from old truck parts in a backyard chicken coop, the brand emerged from genuine angling passion and resourceful craftsmanship. What started as lures crafted for personal use and fishing buddies quickly gained recognition among Northwest anglers who appreciated the quality and fish-catching ability of these handmade designs.

Over the decades, Luhr Jensen & Sons grew into one of the leading lure manufacturers in the country by acquiring smaller luremakers and developing a strong following among salmon, trout and steelhead fishermen. The brand's reputation was built particularly strong in the Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes regions, where generations of anglers have relied on Luhr-Jensen tackle to pursue their favorite gamefish species.

Innovation That Defines Techniques

Luhr-Jensen hasn't simply made fishing lures—they've created products that have defined entire fishing techniques and become legendary among serious anglers. The Dipsy Diver is an essential trolling accessory that allows precision depth control for targeting various species like salmon, trout, and walleye. This innovative design revolutionized how anglers approach trolling by giving them unprecedented control over presentation depth.

The brand's product lineup showcases decades of angling knowledge translated into effective designs. The realistic Crippled Herring lure mimics an injured baitfish, utilizing a wounded-fish action that triggers predatory responses in gamefish. The Krocodile Spoon features a distinctive shape and vibrant colors that anglers rely on to attract big predators like muskie and pike. Whether casting the Super Duper's unique U-shaped design or trolling the hyper-active Needlefish spoon for trout and kokanee, Luhr-Jensen lures demonstrate thoughtful engineering informed by real-world fishing experience.

Built to Last, Designed to Catch

What separates Luhr-Jensen tackle from competitors is the brand's commitment to durability and fish-catching action. Premium plating and genuine copper used in many of their spoons and lures ensure they withstand harsh elements season after season. This attention to materials and construction quality means Luhr-Jensen products remain productive year after year, becoming trusted favorites in anglers' tackle boxes.

The Luhr-Jensen brand has been a staple of fishing in the Northwest and Great Lakes for over 80 years, with trout, kokanee, salmon, steelhead, bass and walleye fishing lures that include decades of earned knowledge in every design. From trolling and casting spoons to spinners, crankbaits, and specialized trolling accessories, the comprehensive Luhr-Jensen lineup addresses virtually every freshwater angling situation with time-tested, field-proven solutions.

A Brand That Understands Anglers

The Luhr-Jensen story embodies the spirit of American fishing tackle innovation—born from an angler's desire to create better tools for the pursuit. While the brand is now part of the Rapala family of fishing brands, the commitment to producing lures that help anglers succeed remains unchanged. Whether you're a veteran Northwest salmon troller, a Great Lakes walleye specialist, or a trout angler exploring new waters, Luhr-Jensen tackle represents a proven choice backed by more than nine decades of fishing heritage and continuous refinement.