Waterbug began in 1975 as a passion project by tournament fisherman Mike Whitaker. What started as a project to offset fishing expenses quickly grew into a respected bait company as anglers discovered the effectiveness of his spinnerbait designs. Built literally at home, Waterbug baits were poured, assembled, and packaged by hand, with an intense focus on the small details that many mass-produced baits overlooked. Component quality, blade selection, hardware, and hand assembled skirts were all factors that made these bait unique during that time. 

From the beginning, Waterbug was built by a fisherman, for fishermen. Whitaker didn’t claim his baits were radically different and he openly said it combined the best features of existing designs into one refined lure. Word of mouth spread quickly, demand soon outpaced supply, and Waterbug baits earned real credibility when a State Bass Federation tournament was won using one. The company’s growth was organic, driven by performance on the water rather than advertising hype. 

As Whitaker’s reputation grew, so did recognition of his understanding of spinnerbait design. Later coverage highlighted how thoughtful design (balance, vibration, blade choice, and presentation) directly translated into effectiveness. That same design-first mindset would later influence Whitaker’s broader impact on competitive bass fishing. 

Waterbug represents a time when fishing lures were built by hand, tested in real tournaments, and proven fish by fish. It remains a classic example of craftsmanship, experience, and performance coming together, long before “custom” became a buzzword.