Bender & Flynn Fishing Tackle - Bender Bait Company

Bender & Flynn Fishing Tackle Mfg Company
Pinellas Park, Florida

Albert Bender and his friend E.C. Flynn were making fishing lures in Pinellas Park, Florida in the mid 1940's. They called their company The Bender and Flynn Fishing Tackle Manufacturing Company. The partnership lasted only a couple of years before Flynn left and the Bender Fishing Tackle Company was formed. Some of the collaborative work of Bender and Flynn, as well as that of Bender alone, is seen here.

The lures shown here are part of our collection. Click on the thumbnail pictures to see a larger image

	Bender & Flynn Darters

Bender & Flynn made darters in some very unique paint patterns

They also made jointed and straight darters in more traditional paint patterns

Lures were sometimes supplied to stores with no hooks attached. This lure is as found in an old North Carolina hardware store.There were several more in different colors. Notice that the tag tied to the rear hook hanger has the lure model and color code. It is likely that this was a saleman's sample and not intended for sale.

One of my favorite Bender baits is the tarpon size model of the Bender Potbelly. The body shape is similar to the smaller Bender Potbelly lure, but much larger. At 5 1/2" in length, this would be a Potbelly lure on steroids. This lure has also been found in a red and white paint pattern as well as a spotted yellow pattern.

	Bender & Flynn Boxes

The first Bender & Flynn box says Bender & Flynn on the top and Bender & Flynn Fishing Tackle Mfg Co on the side panels	The second Bender & Flynn box says B & F on the top and Bender Fishing Tackle Mfg Co on the side panels	The last box was cardboard with a plastic top. It was printed Bender Fishing Tackle Co. on the side panels.

A twelve pack dealer carton of Bender baits.
Individual lures are in plastic top cardboard boxes.

	Bender Fishing Tackle Company Lures

Bender Potbelly Large Size	Bender Potbelly Small Size	Bender Smarty	Bender Zaragossa Type

We are always interested in adding to this collection. Please send an email if you have any old Bender & Flynn baits or boxes for sale or trade.
Visit my page about Antique Florida Lures to see other lure makers from Florida.