History
Southern Outdoors America was founded in May of 2003, however, the concept behind The Longshank Spinnerbait began several decades earlier. Frank E. Smith was a devoted husband and father of three sons.
As a little kid, I remember pulling a chair up next to him and was just in awe of how he could take some wire, lead, paint, and a few hooks to create, in my opinion, what was literally a piece of art! He would always let me sit and watch him make the baits, showing me the little "secrets" along the way. It was about 50 years ago, in a little bait shack up on the hill behind his house, that Frank E. Smith redesigned one of his homemade spinnerbaits. By doing so, he created one of the simplest, yet incredibly effective changes, that I have ever seen on a spinnerbait. After several years of strictly making them for the family, word started getting around about "Daddy Frank's" spinnerbaits and, by the early 1970's, he started getting calls from tournament fishermen, local bait shops and even the casual weekend angler.
It was during a trip to Daddy Frank's old home place in 2001 that the tradition was reborn. Walking back into that little bait shack up on the hill, it became clear to me that it was time to share "Daddy Frank's" creation with the rest of the world. The Longshank Spinnerbaits are built just like he used to make them and even he would have been proud of their quality. Things have changed a lot since those days, but our dedication to carry on the tradition that began over five decades ago remains the same. We appreciate the opportunity to share "Daddy Frank's" legacy with you
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Testimonials
Kevin Cullpepper, Hattiesburg, MS
"Today was the first time I used the Longshank spinnerbait. As you can see, it paid off. I have tried a bunch of spinnerbaits in my life and have not had this type of luck before."
Pam Weldy Piqua, Ohio
"My husband and I were recently on a fishing trip down on Lake Okeechobee. Our guide quickly introduced us to your spinnerbaits. In no time at all we were catching fish as quickly as we could cast! This being only my second fishing experience ever, I must say between your incredible spinnerbaits our great guide, and the patience of my wonderful husband you guys have created a hard core fisherman! Never having fished like this for bass, I couldn’t believe how easy it was to catch fish on your bait. We caught them all day long, but I’m proud to say that this 4 pound largemouth bass I caught was the biggest between my husband and I!"
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