myBaitShop.com: CATCH ALL BAIT COMPANY

Catch-All Inc. Hiles, Wisconsin

The Catch-All Bait company was a short lived Wisconsin company that was only in production from 1955 to mid-1957. During their production years, they manufactured over 50,000 baits in four sizes and six or more color patterns. The company was started in an out of use school house in Hiles, Wisconsin by "Bud" Gramath and close friend, Ted Roberts. The baits were distributed out of their Milwaukee location at 2028 N. Third St. , Milwaukee 12, Wisconsin (See pictures of the building now Pic1, Pic2, Pic3). The baits came packaged in a one piece, plastic top, cardboard box. These boxes were white with a red spider web design (see above) that covered the entire box. The company only produced the one lure in 4 sizes.

The Catch All sizes were:

Flyrod -   #100 - 1 3/4"

Spinning-  #200 - 2 1/4"

Regular-   #300 - 2 5/8"  (although I have lures that measure 2 1/2" and 2 5/8")

Muskie-    #400 - 4 1/2"

The 4 1/2" muskie size is quite rare. This lure did not prove to be very popular with most muskie fisherman due the the fact that the hooks had a reputation for pulling out when a large fish was hooked.

The color patterns were:

Green frog-     #0
Red / White-    #1
Black-          #2
Yellow frog-    #3
Black / Orange- #4
Scale Pattern-  #5

It should be noted that when the company reordered paint, they got a slightly different shade or tone. Consequently, some yellow are lime and there are two different greens. The yellow / brown scale pattern is the toughest color to find. A seventh uncataloged color of brown with yellow spots has been found on some models. The lip of the lure is adjustable and can be fished in a "spoon up" or "spoon down" position. The lip is marked "Pat Pend" although I'm unsure if a patent was ever granted as I could not locate anything in the Patent Archives. Except for the central Wisconsin area, the entire line of baits is considered to be quite rare. A box catalog shows a nice case which holds all twelve lures. I have never seen one these and would love to know if one even exists. The Catch All is a tough lure to place a value on as not many exist, but there are few collectors of the bait. I have seen the lure sell for anywhere from $10-$60 depending on condition and inclusion of box.

In the future I will add more information as I can discover it. If you have any questions please email me here.

01/03/02- I just received a Catch All in Frog color. It has no eyes or front hook and no holes drilled for it. Late production company getting rid of stock????? Any ideas, let me know. You can see the lure in my collection image.

08/09/02-Paul Mortenson has discovered what may be orignal Bud Gramath hand carved Catch All prototypes. See the pictures. Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3.

A special thanks to Robert Slade for the use of his information and research on this company. Without his book almost no information is available on this company. You can find more information in Bob's book "Fishing Tackle of Wisconsin". Thank you to Paul Mortenson for sharing his finds and his resources.

Catch All

Box Catalog

My Collection Pic

My Collection Chart

If you can help add to my collection, please email me.

Other Catch All Links
Paul Mortenson's Catch All Site