Fred Arbogast: A Biography of Akron's Greatest Angler Hardcover – March 7, 2026

Fred Arbogast is world-renowned for success in the fishing tackle industry. Although many know his name connected with the fishing lure called the Jitterbug, Fred Arbogast is much more than a fishing tackle legend. Born in Akron, Ohio on February 16,1894, Frederick Allen Arbogast grew up with three sisters during a period of rapid growth in the "Rubber Capital of the World." At a young age, Fred learned to fish and cast lures, was active in church activities, and making his own fishing tackle hobby baits. He additionally learned the art of taxidermy. During his young adult years, he was a successful high school football player and briefly went to college at the Buchtel-University of Akron before beginning a career in the rubber industry. As a fisherman, he advocated for conservation within the outdoor industry and participated in the angling sport of tournament casting where he became a founding member of the Portage Akron Casting Club. As a tournament caster he cast locally, regionally, and nationally. He became a national tournament casting champion with the National Association of Scientific Angling Clubs before retiring from the casting club circuit. With his newfound fame, Fred Arbogast started his business with his own wildly successful fishing tackle inventions. He received some help from his father and friends but was extremely successful because of his determination and fish catching creations. Throughout this book, you will learn about his family, hobbies, early career and development, and his venture to become one of the most successful small-time fishing tackle manufacturers in the United States. You will also learn more about his infamous fishing lure inventions, including his infamous fishing tackle lure, the Jitterbug and its origins. I hope you enjoy this look into fishing tackle legend: Fred Arbogast! Read more