I’ve had the pleasure of knowing John Murray for about the last 30 years. Back then I worked for Ranger Boats. John worked for the nation’s largest dealership in Phoenix.
We both shared a laugh when it came time to interview him for the Lures of the Top 12 story gallery.
This lure is about as old as my friendship with John.
“I have five of these old school Smithwick Rogues,” he said. “I keep them in a box and brought it here with me.”
Ironically, the Rogue traces its history back to Toledo Bend, where it first gained notoriety. Jack K. Smithwick, from nearby Shreveport, La., made the first Rogue in his garage. He then expanded to a larger factory.
“There is nothing like the action and rattle of this bait,” he said.
For sure. Murray guesses this Rogue to be about 25-30 years old. Earlier this week he lost one of the treasures. Now he’s down to 4. Could this one be the lucky lure?
