DeLong Lures Historical Archive
This archive preserves original catalogs, magazine articles, advertisements, newspaper coverage, and personal papers documenting the history of DeLong Lures from 1946 to the present. Materials have been digitized from original print sources, including publications acquired with the company, as well as third-party media coverage spanning multiple decades.
The purpose of this archive is historical documentation. It exists to preserve the written and visual record of DeLong Lures’ development, innovation, and influence within recreational fishing, particularly in the evolution of soft-plastic lures.
Section 1
Early Catalogs & Advertisements (1940s–1960s)
This section contains original DeLong Lures catalogs and printed advertisements from the company’s earliest decades, including materials produced during operations in Ohio.
Included materials document:
- Early soft-plastic worm designs
- Product naming conventions and sizing
- National retail distribution
- Customer-submitted catch photos and testimonials
- Early branding language, including “Naturalized Lures”
Content from this era is being digitized and organized.
Section 2
Innovation, Scent & Weedless Hook Patents
This section documents DeLong’s technical innovations during the mid-20th century, including scented soft plastics and patented weedless hook systems.
Materials in this archive include:
- Original printed references to scented lure formulations
- Diagrams and product explanations of weedless hook designs
- U.S. patent documentation associated with DeLong rigging concepts
These materials illustrate how DeLong addressed fishing in heavy cover decades before modern weedless systems became widespread.
Section 3
National Magazine Coverage
This section preserves independent third-party coverage of DeLong Lures in nationally recognized fishing publications.
Publications represented include:
- Sports Afield Magazine (October 1972): “Send Down a Snake—Bring Up a Hog
- Bassmaster Magazine
- In-Fisherman
- Bassin Magazine
- Fishing Facts
- The New Jersey Angler
- ESOX Angler
Articles span multiple decades and document DeLong products being used, discussed, and evaluated by outdoor writers and anglers.
Section 4
Giant Worms & Trophy Bass
This section focuses specifically on historical documentation related to oversized soft-plastic worms and trophy bass fishing.
Included materials reference:
- Large soft-plastic worms and snakes produced by DeLong
- Techniques associated with slow presentations and deep structure
- Verified accounts of double-digit bass caught on DeLong lures
- National magazine features recognizing the effectiveness of giant worms
These documents place DeLong among the earliest companies intentionally producing soft plastics designed for trophy fish.
Section 5
Muskie Lures & Esox Coverage
This section documents DeLong’s impact on muskie fishing, particularly during the company’s revival period in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Archived materials include:
- Catalog references to large soft-plastic designs
- Magazine articles discussing the Giant Witch, Flying Witch, and similar baits
- Coverage in publications focused on esox species
These records show how previously existing DeLong designs were adapted and adopted by muskie anglers nationwide.
Section 6
John McKean Papers & Articles
This section preserves articles, notes, and personal documents from outdoor writer John McKean, who wrote extensively about DeLong lures over multiple decades.
Materials include:
- Published articles referencing DeLong products
- Handwritten notes, annotations, and personal observations
- Technique insights involving soft-plastic worms and structure fishing
These papers offer historical context and firsthand insight into how DeLong lures were used and perceived by experienced anglers and writers.
Section 7
Modern Media Coverage & Revival (2000s–Present)
This section documents DeLong’s presence in modern media and coverage of the company’s revival.
Included materials reference:
- Newspaper articles
- Online publications
- Interviews and features covering the brand’s return to Ohio
- Documentation of continued hand-poured production using traditional methods
This portion of the archive connects DeLong’s early history to its modern continuation.
Contributions and insights for this guide were provided by Aaron B. Futrell, retired U.S. Army veteran, Purple Heart recipient, business partner at DeLong Lures, and lifelong hunter and angler.