Acme Tackle acquisition takes it into crankbait category

Acme Tackle Company has added crankbait maker Reef Runner Tackle to its group of brands. The move takes Acme into the crankbaits category for the first time.

Reef Runner, based in Marblehead, Ohio, has been designing and making lures since 1988 and marketed the original banana-style crankbait. It has since added Cicadas, Ripshads, Mini-Rips and Wiglstiks to it range.

“Now we can provide our customers with one of the best fish-catching crankbaits available,” said Matt Bichanich, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Acme. “I have been using their lures for a long time and I look forward to introducing Reef Runner to more anglers.”

Robin Hancock, President of Acme, said the two companies had been talking for a long time. “This couldn’t be a better opportunity for both or our businesses and our customers,” he added. “We are eager to bring our capabilities to Reef Runner and our team is already hard at work designing new products for the brand.”

Reef Runner founder is Scott Stecher. “I’m particularly excited about the introduction of new colours and designs, as well as being part of Acme research and development,” he said.

Acme is part of Hard and Soft Fishing, based in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, which launched its first brand, Uncle Josh, in 1922. It has since grown into almost every tackle category for both ice and open water fishing with a family of brands that includes Acme, Uncle Josh, Kalin’s, Beaver Dam and Atom and Bead.

Picture: The Reef Runner Tackle Deep Little Ripper