Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
Bob Sturgeon of English and his Angry Sturgeon Lures have advanced to the third round in the Coolest Thing Made in Indiana tournament.
Sturgeon makes wooden crank baits at his home in Crawford County and is in the Sweet Sixteen of the contest.
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce contest to promote unique items manufactured in Indiana kicked off Oct. 27 with 47 makers in the field. When the bracket was unveiled, there were four manufacturers from the Radius Indiana region – Kimball International in Jasper, Abbey Casket in St. Meinrad, Dishmaster in Mitchell and Angry Sturgeon Lures in English. The other three were eliminated in early rounds, leaving Angry Sturgeon Lures as the remaining contender from the Radius region.
According to the Indiana Chamber, Sturgeon manufactures hand-made, one-of-a-kind fishing lures from wood sourced from his family farm in Crawford County. Sturgeon has combined his 20 years of manufacturing and engineering experience and artistic aptitude to produce unique lures. Angry Sturgeon Lures are sold through select retailers in several states and occasionally online.
Voting concludes Nov. 30. Online voting determines which makers advance to the next round.
Voting will start at 9 a.m. on the first day of each round and end at 9 p.m. on the last day.
Round 1: Oct. 27-Nov. 1
Round 2: Nov. 2-7
Round 3: Nov. 8-13
Round 4: Nov. 14-17
Semis: Nov. 20-24
Finals: Nov. 27-30
Champion announced Dec. 13 at the 2023 Best IN Manufacturing Awards Luncheon.