Most lure manufacturers will tell you they started their companies out of a love for fishing and a desire to catch more fish. The same can be said of local brothers, Russell and Chuck Bennett, owners of LEHI Baits. They purchased LEHI Baits in 2001 from Lee Hill. Hill had established a company successfully marketing freshwater spinner baits, jigs, and plastics, but The Bennett brothers fishing interest were geared more toward the saltwater side of things and they boldly changed the focus of the company to target saltwater anglers and created the companies first offshore trolling lures.
This year the company has really begun to take off with offshore trolling lures leading the sales. A February visit to the world renowned Miami Boat show certainly did not hurt their exposure. Speaking to Russell and Chuck you can see the enthusiasm for what they are doing and they are genuinely excited to hear when someone has good luck using their products. Their commitment to continuously improving their lures and the search for new ideas is helping them to carve out their own niche in a very competitive market place.
Custom lures has been a big part of this innovation. “All of our Offshore lures are hand made.“ “We are happy to make, lures to order, for anyone that is interested”, explains Russell. “We’ve put people’s boat names or business logos in their lure heads for them and given them a truly unique fishing lure that nobody else has.” Custom lures and products are a small part of what makes this company unique.
The same passion and enthusiasm for fishing is what drives the unique lures and the creativity that has produced some unique and effective lures. The “Squitch“ is just one of many of the Bennett brothers creations that has produced many offshore catches this year including many billfish. The brothers are like two kids on Christmas morning when they share the successes people have enjoyed with products they thought up and designed and it is this excitement and passion that will keep LEHI’s pr