Du Quoin Workers Cast 640,000 Fishing Lures Out Onto the Waters of the World

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The sport of fishing could no doubt be argued as America's second favorite pastime, coming in closely behind baseball of course. Here in Illinois, Lunker Lure is taking fishing, and the economy, to a whole new level.

Lunker Lure began production in late 1960 in Carterville Illinois. After the retirement of Lunker Lure founder Mr. Gentry in 2005, 5-Star industries in DuQuoin looked to add another production line to its already booming facility and Lunker Lure seemed to be the perfect fit.

This story, however, is much deeper than an ordinary success story. It is a story about a product made in Illinois by individuals with only one wish. That simple wish is to accomplish a goal and to be proud of the product that they create. Lunker Lure and 5-Star employ 65 mentally and physically challenged adults from Perry County to manufacture and assemble the Lunker Lures in an assembly line type of environment. According to Industrial Operations Manager, Greg Herrin, the employees "love working here." "It's prestigious for the employees to get to work in the lure department" claims Herrin.

With the DuQuoin plant as the only Lunker Lure production facility in the country, the employees are busy producing approximately 640,000 lures annually. Herrin reports that about 70,000 spinner baits, 70,000 buzz baits and about 500,000 jigs will be marketed this year.

"When the economy trailed off we were a little scared but then things picked up" says Herrin. "This could be our best year in the last three or four years."

With sales across the country to stores like Bass Pro and Academy Sports to small locally owned fishing and bait shops as well and some international buyers such as Canada, Africa and Japan, Lunker Lure is a fishing tackle powerhouse all thanks to the employees that dedicate themselves to this product.

"It makes the employees feel proud when they see someone using their product" states Herrin.

Due to the exceptional quality and effectiveness of the Lunker Lure line, several Pro Anglers have secured sponsorship with the locally made product. Chad Morgenthaler of Coulterville, Randy Howell, a native of Alabama and Duke Jenkle from Pinckneyville have all partnered with Lunker and have had great success.

Morgenthaler has even helped designed the newest Lunker Lure series. The Limit Series is a two jig series. The first jig is a "Ball Head" design to be used in situations with hard bottom and rock bottom covered lakes.

"This jig is effective in clear water situations. It stands up better and mimics a crawdad" explains Morgenthaler. The second jig of the Limit Series is a shovelhead design used for heavy cover situations. Morgenthaler has had sponsorship with Lunker for the last four years but "have always used Lunker Lures, even when I was a kid" says Morganthaler.

As for the employees of Lunker Lure, Morgenthaler is quick to add "It's an absolutely wonderful situation with 5-Star and Lunker. Those employees have the ability and want to produce this product. It's just a great feeling to know that this company (Lunker) is doing things for the mentally and physically challenged that other companies wouldn't even consider. It makes it special for me to be associated with Lunker."

Two of the most popular baits from Lunker are the Ultimate Jig, which, as Greg Herrin claims, is a local favorite and the Original Rattleback. The Triple Rattleback is also a popular bait according to Rend Lake Lunker Buster angler Brian Beaty. "It's the only jig to use" claims Beaty of the Triple Rattleback. As for Morgenthaler, his favorite baits from Lunker are the Hawg Caller original buzzbait, Shaky Head, and the Limit Series Finesse jig. Greg Herrin also wants to remind anglers that Lunker will custom build baits for your fishing needs but to "expect delays this time of year."

With Lunker Lure and its employees leading the charge on local, national, and international fishing bait markets, Lunker Lure is certainly a force to be reckoned with right here in Southern Illinois. 5-Star, Lunker and the 65 mentally and physically challenged employees are taking fishing and the economy by storm and are on track to be the world wide leader in fishing baits. Well done Lunker Lure and 5-Star, well done indeed.