Big baits and big wallets best describe the 2016 MUSKIE EXPO Chicago held last weekend at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. 

The second annual Muskie Expo Chicago drew large crowds and fought inclement weather from Friday January 8th to Sunday the 10th. The 2017 expo will be moved to Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, IL to accommodate more exhibitor space, and what also includes a floor plan for boats and marine, and adjoining hotel.

Over the weekend, Fishing-Headquarters was on hand to assist its partners, Llungen Lures, Toothy’s Tackle, and visit with its other partners, Bigtooth Tackle Company. We’ve been helping each of these brands in advisory and developmental roles with their marketing/advertising and web development in varying capacities.

Each brands introduced new product at this year’s show.

The new .22 Short by Llungen Lures (originally by Chad Harmon) experienced terrific sales during its unveiling weekend.

Llungen Lures released its newest addition to the Llungen lineup; the .22 Short Crankbait that’s currently available in 15 colors to choose from. In addition, they’ve added an unbelievable custom bucktail line for the 2016 show season comprised of maribou, hackle tail, and silicone. Of course, Llungen also had dozens of custom colors in its booth (soon to be sold online) along with new airbrushed blade styles.

According to the team of Chris Piha and Matthew Gunkel, the new .22 shorts experienced high sales during days-1 and 2 of the show, and will be available at all other upcoming winter 2015 sport shows. This week, the .22 short has been made available online, and those of you who will not make it to any other winter shows can purchase the hottest little crankbait in musky fishing here.

With Jeff Andersen of Bigtooth Tackle Company. Visit Jeff on the web at http://www.andersenbrothersoutdoors.com and http://www.rawfish-media.com

Across the arena was Bigtooth Tackle Company, owned by Clam Outdoors and whose blade products are managed and designed by Jeff Andersen. The all new Straight-Wire Spinnerbaits made their show debut, sold thru Thorne Brothers.

The Bigtooth Tackle Straight-Wire spinnerbait brings a new design to the world of large spinnerbaits. With the unique design the “Straight-Wire” keeps and supports the second hook to stay inline. The “Straight-Wire” is armed with two giant 9/0 treble hooks but remains weedless with the inline stationary design.The weedless body design first cut through thick cover, coupled with the short arm, the Straight-Wire fishes clean which means more efficiency for the angler casting. Hand picked quality skirt along with a giant soft-plastic tail makes the bait come to life.

With attention to detail and topping off the features the “Straight-Wire” is built with the best willow blade on the market, quality swivel, and shrink tube around the wire wrap to eliminate the blade from fouling and insures maximum rotation.

Last but not least, Stephen Wesoloski, of Toothy’s Tackle LLC, brought his products to Chicago for a second straight year. A resident of Green Bay Wisconsin, Wesoloski has designed, refined, and developed all of his lures on Green Bay’s world class muskie fishery.

On display for Chicago was his entire product line, but in new eye-catching colors. Items experiencing the most sales were his cookie cutters, the new #8 ticklers, and saber series bucktails.

His signature item, The Tickler, excels at power fishing with its unique triple tail action to trigger monster muskies, and is now available in a downsized size-8 bladed version. Its rotating 3-single-hook system prevents fish from throwing the bait and gaining leverage, and it features 3 Kalin’s grub curly tail trailers.

Toothy’s Tackle manufactures their own engineered blades that start and spin faster, thus requiring less strength and cranking torque for retrieving. They also use their own skirts that creates improved flash in all water clarity and conditions. An architectural designer by trade, Wesoloski has created his lures using top shelf components and craftsmanship which is now being enjoyed by Midwest, Great Lakes, and Canadian muskie anglers.

Catch these three companies during the next few months at the remaining sport shows, and other muskie shows.

Toothy’s Tackle – pictured Andrew Ragas, Ryan Grant, Steve Peterson, Stephen Wesoloski.