Interesting

[SlabLapper4sure]

Was just reading about the invention of the tru-turn hook! John W. Campbell was born the son of an Alabama sharecropper, 1914.
He often fished near his grandfather’s gristmill as a child. After getting his hook hung in the mill; he carefully bent the hook back. Even though this hook had a kink in it, it was his favorite.
Years later; stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base, he worked with the then infant computers. These computers used IBM punch cards that had to be sorted and John devised a bent paperclip to sort them faster.
You tend to “fiddle” with things on your desk and John noticed the bent clips rotated towards pressure. It was these bent paperclips that led to the invention of the Tru-Turn hook.
In spring of 1959; while fishing a south Montgomery pond he hooked a nice Bass. As the fish neared the boat, the Bass made a final effort and got away. John began to think and the idea struck him. So he bent his hook with a bend that was perpendicular to the point. It rotated towards pressure, just like his paperclips and that favorite hook he used as a young boy. After more extensive testing on Lake Martin, John knew he had a great hook.
He began bending hooks for Air Force Generals, Majors, and Corporals. Then a local tackle shop wanted them, then two, then a distributor wanted the “bent” hook and the Tru-Turn hook was born. “Tru-Turn Hooks” was incorporated in 1960.
John left this world for better fishing waters in 1991. But millions of his hooks are catching fish the world over.
In addition to Tru-Turn; John’s sons Wes and Steve added the Daiichi, XPoint, StandOUT, Mr Crappie, Team Catfish hook brands. The Blakemore Lure Company was purchased in 2004 adding the famous Road Runner and Real Magic products to the line up.
Today; the TTI-Blakemore Fishing Group is still a family business that ships great fishing products all over the world. The Campbell’s haven’t forgotten where they started.
The “TTI” portion of the name stands for “Tru-Turn Incorporated”.
John’s dreams came true because he helped angler’s dreams come true.
“I think dad would be proud…we’ve shipped millions of hooks for children’s charities and fishing events…it wouldn’t be possible without his efforts and the support of our angling friends.” –Wes Campbell, President, TTI-Blakemore Fishing Group

[CrappieFlopper]

Nice read! thanks for posting.

[BAMA S]

Good read, that a local boy for us. We installed some units for Wes About 15 years ago on west side of Martin .

[jimfish]

Thats a good story and has been a good hook for years.

[Billbob]

love the hook

[BigRiverMarine]

Good read and post!! Thx for sharing.

[Slab]

Great company. And there are some great people that work for them like our buddy TJ. Here's TJ's signature line he uses in his emails, below, as an FYI. He used to have something in there about being in charge of "crazy ideas". I thought that was funny. I see he took that out. Must be getting serious. Oh no, I know I did not just say that about TJ. Did I say he's a funny guy. Have lunch with him some time and you'll see what I mean! lol

TJ Stallings
TTI Division: Tru-Turn, Daiichi, Mr Crappie, Team Catfish, StandOut, XPoint,
& HitchHikers
Blakemore Division: Road Runners, Mr Crappie Slab Daddy's & Spin Daddy's,
Real Magic, Rod Floaters, & Brush Grippers Red Eagle Technologies Division:
Gun Protect - Tactical and Sporting Grade
Co-publisher, Crappie NOW Magazine Proud member of AGLOW, FOWA, POMA, SEOPA,
and TOWA.

[GitDaGrease]

Those hooks are bad to the bone.