Eufaula in Barbour County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
William Thomas "Tom" Mann / Eufaula, Alabama
1932-2005 / Fishing Lure Capital of the World
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 3, 2018
1. William Thomas "Tom" Mann Marker
Inscription.
William Thomas "Tom" Mann, also, Eufaula, Alabama. 1932-2005, also, Fishing Lure Capital of the World.
William Thomas "Tom" Mann 1932-2005. Family man, entrepreneur and bass angler legend, Tom Mann, achieved fame as a fishing lure designer/manufacturer and helped put Lake Eufaula on the map with his popular television shows. With an investment of $5, he and his wife, Ann, started Mann's Bait Company in 1958. Later, he would launch Humminbird Industries and Southern Plastics. Because of his business acumen, he made Eufaula the hub of the fishing lure industry. Mann developed the Junior Fisherman Program, was the owner of the Fish World fresh water aquarium, and made Leroy Brown the most famous bass in the country. Mann helped his lifetime friend and fellow industry pioneer Ray Scott start Bass Anglers Sportsman Society. Mann qualified for seven BASS Master Classics with four top-five finishes. He was inducted into the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2003 and was named by the Alabama Tourism Department as one of Alabama's "most unforgettable faces." To recognize his achievements, U.S. 431, between mile markers 72 and 73 has been declared the Tom Mann Memorial Highway.,
Eufaula, Alabama Fishing Lure Capital of the World. Tom Mann's pioneering vision in the fishing industry helped establish Eufaula as the "fishing lure capital of the world. In his 2002 autobiography, "Think Like a Fish he describes how he started a small home-based business that eventually generated auxiliary industries with a multimillion-dollar annual cash flow. The Jellyworm and the "Little George," named after Alabama Governor George Wallace, were among his most noteworthy products. Today, more fishing lures are manufactured in the Eufaula area than in any other part of the world. Companies that Mann started include Mann's Bait Co. and Southern Plastics. This inspired other entrepreneurs who started Eufaula Manufacturing, D and J Plastics, Big Bite Baits and Strikezone Lures. Together, these six companies, create millions of fishing lures annually, establishing Eufaula as the "Fishing Lure Capital of the World."
William Thomas "Tom" Mann
1932-2005
Family man, entrepreneur and bass angler legend, Tom Mann, achieved fame as a fishing lure designer/manufacturer and helped put Lake Eufaula on the map with his popular television shows. With an investment of $5, he and his wife, Ann, started Mann's Bait Company in 1958. Later, he would launch Humminbird Industries and Southern Plastics. Because of his business acumen, he made Eufaula the hub of the fishing lure industry. Mann developed the Junior Fisherman Program, was the owner of the Fish World fresh water aquarium, and made Leroy Brown the most famous bass in the country. Mann helped his lifetime friend and fellow industry pioneer Ray Scott start Bass Anglers Sportsman Society. Mann qualified for seven BASS Master Classics with four top-five finishes. He was inducted into the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2003 and was named by the Alabama Tourism Department as one of Alabama's "most unforgettable faces." To recognize his achievements, U.S. 431, between mile markers 72 & 73 has been declared the Tom Mann Memorial Highway.
Eufaula, Alabama
Fishing Lure Capital of the World
Tom Mann's pioneering vision in the fishing industry helped establish Eufaula as the "fishing lure capital of the world. In his 2002 autobiography,
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"Think Like a Fish he describes how he started a small home-based business that eventually generated auxiliary industries with a multimillion-dollar annual cash flow. The Jellyworm and the "Little George," named after Alabama Governor George Wallace, were among his most noteworthy products. Today, more fishing lures are manufactured in the Eufaula area than in any other part of the world. Companies that Mann started include Mann's Bait Co. and Southern Plastics. This inspired other entrepreneurs who started Eufaula Manufacturing, D & J Plastics, Big Bite Baits and Strikezone Lures. Together, these six companies, create millions of fishing lures annually, establishing Eufaula as the "Fishing Lure Capital of the World."
Erected 2018 by the City of Eufaula and the Alabama Tourism Department.
Location. 31° 53.586′ N, 85° 8.373′ W. Marker is in Eufaula, Alabama, in Barbour County. Marker is on East Broad Street east of North Livingston Avenue, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 404 East Broad Street, Eufaula AL 36027, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Central Railroad of Georgia Freight Depot (within shouting distance of this
More about this marker. Marker is dated 2017 but unveiled in 2018.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 3, 2018
3. Nearby Big Bass Capital of the World bass replica.
A 12-foot-tall replica of a largemouth bass was dedicated on January 23rd, 2018 in downtown Eufaula and has been named "Manny" after Thomas Mann. It is located just yards from this marker.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 3, 2018
4. Eufaula, Alabama Marker with Big Bass in background.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 3, 2018
5. William Thomas "Tom" Mann marker located in median of East Broad Street.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,509 times since then and 184 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 3, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
