PRADCO Outdoor Brands today announced it has acquired War Eagle Custom Lures, bringing the longtime Arkansas-based brand under the same umbrella as Booyah, Bomber, YUM, Rebel and Bandit, among others.
War Eagle operated in Rogers, Ark., for the past 21 years under the guidance of founder Keith Brashers, who started the company in his garage and helped it grow into one of the leading makers of wire baits and jigs in the U.S. as well as a trusted brand by tournament anglers across the nation.
According to a press release announcing the purchase, Brashers will continue to be involved in War Eagle's operation.
“Thanks to successful tournament anglers across the nation, 21 years ago, an idea and a passion for fishing left the garage and became War Eagle Custom Lures,” Brashers said in the release. “I am confident with the marketing and distribution resources PRADCO Outdoor Brands has to offer we can take War Eagle to the next level. As I look back, I want to give a big thanks to my friend Gene Vandever. Without his partnership and help at the beginning, War Eagle wouldn’t be where it is today.”
War Eagle's business operations will move to PRADCO’s Fishing Division in Fort Smith, Ark, where all product development, marketing, accounting, manufacturing and purchasing functions will be managed. Brand Manager Chad Warner will have responsibility for War Eagle.
“Keith Brashers has built an amazing brand and an extremely loyal consumer following,” said Bruce Stanton, Vice President and General Manager of PRADCO Fishing. “He looks at everything through the eyes of a fisherman. And he is an outstanding fisherman. He has always wanted to solve the problems he faces as an angler and has had the ability to provide solutions through his War Eagle Custom Lures creations. We are very proud to add this dominant spinnerbait brand to our portfolio.”
According to the release, War Eagle will continue U.S. production through its current supplier base in Arkansas.
“We have long admired the way Keith Brashers has grown War Eagle Custom Lures into a premium supplier of fishing lures for serious anglers – especially their hugely popular spinnerbaits and buzzbaits,” said Robert Schoenvogel, PRADCO Outdoor Brands President. “When the opportunity arose to partner with Keith and bring War Eagle into the PRADCO family of brands, we absolutely jumped at the chance. We look forward to supporting War Eagle’s continued growth through investments in design innovations, broad distribution and customer support.”
