Secret Moonshine Lure Shiver Minnow – Making Big Splash; Company Joins Forces with NPAA as Newest Supporting Partner
Dec 22nd, 2014 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Dec 22nd, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Forestville, WI – Tom Gudwer and his wife Beth own Moonshine Lures. The news about their successful tournament-winning Shiver Minnow propelled the Upper Peninsula couple into a non-stop, busier-than-ever, family run tackle company. “The Shiver Minnow has been a strong seller. We have even worked on Christmas painting lures to fill orders,” Gudwer said.
Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz won and placed well in tournaments, demonstrated how to fish this lure on their TV show and website, and the demand built. Prior to tournament success, most Shiver Minnows were sold from eastern Wisconsin to New York. News spread, and now sales include Montana, Wyoming, Kansas, the Dakotas, Colorado and most other walleye destinations. “From the original half-ounce size, the Shiver Minnows are now available in five sizes and 17 colors.
Interesting, and not unusual for family-run companies across the board, Gudwer said, “I made my passion my job, now I don’t have much time to fish.” He was a walleye and salmon charter captain for 21 years. He also guided ice fishermen for a number of years. The company is in its eighth year, and the extensive product line-up includes spoons and flies for the Great Lakes trout and salmon market and jigging spoons and ice lures for walleyes and panfish. He personally paints his special glow paint on every lure.
He said, “I always wanted to build a minnow lure, and didn’t copy anybody. I watched dying shiners, and saw how they rolled and righted themselves, swam upwards, stalled, and created the Shiver to imitate nature. I call it a unique rolling action all its own.”
Gudwer added, “I want our walleye lures to be as big in the walleye world as our salmon lures are in that arena. With the NPAA, I feel we can really grow. Their members are in all corners of the walleye range, and that’s where I want Moonshine Lures.” Pat Neu, NPAA executive director said, “I love to watch smaller companies that partner with us grow and become bigger companies.” A members-only discount program will soon be announced. Gudwer responds to every email at [email protected].
NPAA Supporting Partners include: Advanced Tex Screen-printing, Cabela’s National Walleye Tour, The Walleye Federation, Evinrude Outboards, Fishouflage, Plano Synergy, Great Lakes Sea Grant, Lund Boat Co, Mercury Marine, Muskie Expo Chicago & Milwaukee, Navionics, Nebulus Floatation, Optima Batteries, Outdoor First Media, Pure Fishing, Ranger Boats, Skeeter Boats, Stratos Boats, Triton Boats, U.S. Forest Service, Wildlife Forever, Worldwide Marine Underwriters, Yamaha Motor Co., Arrowhead Promotion and Fulfillment, Bait Rigs Tackle Co., DuraSafe Locks, Fish on Kids Books, G2-Gemini, Kingfisher Boats , Larson Boats, Liddle Marketing Company, Matzuo, Moonshine Lures, Motor Guide, Mutual of Omaha, National Fleet Graphics, Northland Fishing Tackle, Off Shore Tackle, Pasha Lake Cabins, Powrtran, Simms Fishing, Smooth Moves, Strike King, Target Walleye, The Next Bite, Warrior Boats, High Tech Fishing, Fishing the Wildside, and Financial Planning Services. More NPAA annual conference news, member and association news can be viewed at www.npaa.net.