In the early 1930s, Anton settled in Marshfield, Wisconsin, where he began to craft fishing lures as a personal hobby. What started as a passion project soon became a second source of income, with Anton handcrafting lures in his garage. By 1932, his small operation had evolved into theLauby Bait Company, established at 806 Vine Street in Marshfield. Anton was not just a businessman—he was an innovator driven by the desire to improve fishing techniques for anglers.

Lauby’s lures were designed to mimic live bait, with features that enhanced action, buoyancy, and snag resistance, making them particularly effective in both freshwater and marshy environments. His commitment to quality was evident in each step of production, as he personally oversaw the development of new lures and created custom tools to aid in their manufacture. His garage shop was equipped with specialized lathes, band saws, paint-dipping equipment, and unique apparatuses for cutting lure bodies and concave designs.

Anton J. Lauby's ingenuity was recognized through multiple patents that highlighted his distinct approach to lure design:

1. Artificial Fish Lure (U.S. Patent 1,996,477)

• Filed: September 15, 1933

• Granted: April 2, 1935

• This was Lauby’s first patent, representing a rotating, floating spoon-type lure. The design featured a wooden spoon with a concave face mounted on a straight wire shaft, allowing the lure to rotate in the water and create a "fluttering" effect that mimicked a distressed fish. Despite its innovative approach, this lure was not widely sold, making authentic models rare among collectors today.

2. Weedless Wooden Spoon Lure (U.S. Patent 2,215,908)

• Filed: August 27, 1938

• Granted: September 24, 1940

• This patent embodied Lauby’s commitment to creating a lure that could be used in dense vegetation. The Weedless Wonder Spoon featured a spring-operated single hook that was protected within the concave lure body, preventing snags in weedy waters. The hook would only be exposed upon a strike, making this lure highly effective for fishing in marshy areas.

3. Floating/Surface Bait (U.S. Patent 2,187,475)

• Filed: August 27, 1938

• Granted: January 16, 1940

• Known as the Surface Lure or "Chunk Bait," this design was meant for topwater fishing. It incorporated a buoyant body and a streamlined shape that allowed it to float or dive with the angler’s retrieval speed. The patent illustration shows a complex

structure, including a through-wire hook hanger, which anchored the line tie, tail treble, and double belly hook, creating a versatile lure for various water conditions. While Lauby initially marketed it as the Surface Lure, it became widely known among collectors as the Chunk Bait due to its solid, chunky shape.

4. Adjustable Wood-Turning Lathe (U.S. Patent 2,341,926)

• Filed: March 22, 1943

• Granted: February 15, 1944

• This patent was a testament to Lauby’s dedication to improving lure production efficiency. The lathe was designed specifically for crafting wooden lure bodies and allowed for the precise cutting of central bores needed for through-wire construction. This innovation enabled faster, more consistent production, crucial during a period when handcrafting each lure was labor-intensive.

With a growing reputation for quality and innovation, the Lauby Bait Company expanded its product line throughout the 1930s. Anton’s lures included not just the Wonder Spoon and Weedless Wonder Spoon, but also the Special Minnow, which featured a lifelike shape that mimicked real minnows. These lures were made in a range of sizes, from small fly rod models to larger, musky-sized lures. The company also introduced a budget-friendly line called Badger Baits, designed to provide anglers with effective but simpler, less labor-intensive versions of the original designs.

By 1938, the Lauby Bait Company employed up to 35 workers, including family members who contributed to different stages of production, from shaping and painting to final assembly. The company’s rapid growth was fueled by local investors and expanding distribution across the Midwest. Advertising in popular outdoor magazines like Outdoor Life and Sports Afield helped boost sales, positioning Lauby’s lures as essential tools for anglers of all skill levels.

The Impact of World War II

Despite its early success, the Lauby Bait Company faced severe challenges as World War II led to material shortages and government restrictions on non-essential manufacturing. In 1940, Anton sold the company to Albert Bates, an executive at G. Heileman Brewing Company in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Bates continued the production of Lauby-designed lures under the newly formed Bates Bait Company, but with a shift towards tenite plastic models, which were less labor-intensive than wooden versions. The company maintained some production until the U.S. government curtailed civilian manufacturing to focus on the war effort in 1942.

Post-War Efforts and Anton’s Legacy

After the war, Anton and his family attempted to restart production in Milwaukee and later in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, but these efforts never reached full-scale commercial success. Anton continued to create and refine lures on a small scale into the 1950s, working with his sons and family members. His dedication to the craft remained strong until his passing in 1962 at the age of 78.

Anton J. Lauby left behind a legacy of innovation, creativity, and craftsmanship in fishing tackle. His lures, once tools for anglers, are now prized collectibles, celebrated for their quality, unique designs, and the ingenuity that defined early 20th-century lure manufacturing. The patents he secured not only marked technological advancements in the fishing industry but also established him as a significant figure in the evolution of American-made lures.

Today, Lauby Lures remains a symbol of a bygone era when craftsmanship, family involvement, and hands-on innovation were the cornerstones of the fishing industry. Anton’s contributions continue to inspire anglers and collectors alike, demonstrating that a well-crafted lure can indeed stand the test of time.