About Us

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This image is of a wordmark. The wordmark PANFISHPRO is a federally registered trademark, signifying its official protection under United States law. A key visual element of this registration is the presence of the circle R (®) symbol, which is strategically positioned at the top right of the wordmark. Under the provisions of the Lanham Act, this symbol is reserved exclusively for marks currently maintained on the Principal or Supplemental Register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Panfishpro, LLC, based in Elgin, Illinois, asserts exclusive proprietary rights to this design by virtue of its use in commerce and formal federal registration. The company has not granted any other entity permission, whether explicit or implicit, to utilize this mark. Consequently, any unauthorized use of the PANFISHPRO trademark constitutes a violation of federal law. This legal standing is particularly significant in the fishing tackle industry, where Panfishpro has maintained a continuous online retail presence for twenty-five years, since January 1, 2001.
This is our current website header image. This image is a clean, professional product graphic featuring NEXTALGX brand fishing jigs. The layout is split between a product demonstration on the left and brand messaging on the right. Product Display: On the left side, there are five small, clear plastic tubes. Four of these tubes contain a single pink jig, while one tube stands empty with its cap sitting nearby on the surface. The Jigs: These are "mini" style jigs consisting of a bright hot pink round lead head and a matching hot pink ribbed soft plastic body that tapers into the cone the inventor made famous over forty years ago! Branding and Text: NEXTALGX®: The brand name is displayed in a bold, slightly stylized black font. A jagged, brush-stroke-style red line underlines the logo, adding a sense of energy or "strike" action. Tagline: Below the logo, it reads: "From the inventors of the Cubby Mini-Mite Jig." This provides historical context and suggests a legacy of quality in the panfish lure market. Visual Style: The entire composition is set against a seamless white background, which is typical for e-commerce or catalog listings. The lighting is soft and even, highlighting the translucent nature of the plastic tubes and the vibrant color of the lures.
The word "NEXTALGX" is presented in a stylized font with a registered trademark symbol (®) positioned at its upper right. An intense, bright red brush stroke is featured directly beneath the text.

The authentic 1980’s design from the original inventors of the Cubby® Mini-Mite® Jig.

The Legacy of the Mini-Mite: The Panfishpro Story

Our Origins on Henderson Street

Over four decades ago, in the early 1980s, the first Mini-Mite Jig came to life right inside the childhood home of our founder on Henderson Street in Chicago, Illinois. Born out of a real passion for fishing and a deep understanding of how panfish behave, it was the start of something special.

MiniMight Replacement Tails, as sold in the 80’s

The Neptune Lures Era

While a lot of folks today know the Mini-Mite as a staple of the Cubby Lures lineup, its true roots go all the way back to those early days. Before Panfishpro, the Mini-Mite was originally produced and marketed under the Neptune Lures banner. It was the original launching pad for this innovation. Today, the journey has come full circle, bringing decades of history and hands-on expertise back home to the modern Panfishpro brand.

A composite photograph of Franks Live Bait & Tackle
A composite photograph of Frank’s Live Bait & Tackle

Local Legends and Regional Expansion

Our very first sales strategy was all about building genuine friendships with the owners of neighborhood bait and tackle shops. Chicago staples like Frank’s Live Bait & Tackle, Captain’s Quarters, Superior Sports, and Park Bait Shop were some of the first to see the magic in these locally made jigs.

As the Mini-Mite’s reputation as a true “panfish getter” took off, some great friends stepped in to help. Scott “Scooter” Gresham jumped in to help make the lures, while Carl Vizzone and Ken “Lip of the Lake” Schneider hit the road to help sell them. Together, we traveled all around the southern tip of Lake Michigan, building a massive distribution network across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Fun fact: back then, replacement tails retailed for just 79 to 99 cents a pack!

Photo courtesy of Mr. Frank Wilhelm of Onalaska, Wisconsin.

Pioneering the Digital Frontier

On January 1, 2001, we took a leap into the early days of the internet, launching an online shop to bring our high-quality gear to anglers all across the country. Our very first online customer was Mr. Frank Wilhelm of Onalaska, Wisconsin, who placed his order on January 2, 2001. We will always be grateful for his early trust and were deeply saddened by his passing. We kept growing over the years, officially becoming an LLC in 2016. By 2018, we launched a fully database-driven website that made backorders practically a thing of the past.

“This is my second year using jigabites. They are my go to/bread and butter panfish plastics. This week I’ve caught over 50 hand sized bluegills and several crappies, including this 14 1/2″ slab. My biggest crappie ever.  I’ve been tipping the jigabites with wax worms and the fish are killing it. Great product.”

Jeff, from Perrysville, Ohio
Photo courtesy of Jeff, from Perrysville, Ohio.
Photo courtesy of Jeff, of Perrysville, Ohio.

Continued Innovation and Commitment

Today, our family has grown into a massive community of dedicated anglers across the nation! Our lineup now features the NEXTALGX Rigged Jigs, Nailz’M Jig Tails, INSTINCTRIX Jigs, Jigabite Jigs, and other products as well. We love hearing how well they work like when Jeff from Perrysville, Ohio, told us he used Jigabites to haul in over 50 bluegills and his personal best 14.5 inch crappie.

We are still sticking to the same promises we made on day one:

  • Fast Shipping: We keep a large inventory on hand so your order ships out immediately.
  • Quality Control: Every package is packed with care so it arrives looking perfect.
  • Satisfaction Guarantee: We back our gear with a 100% “no questions asked” return policy.
  • Privacy Protection: We promise we will never share your personal information.

Come say hi and follow us on Facebook and MeWe for the latest gear, special promos, and fishing stories from folks just like you!

Our baits are designed to catch fish, and they do it well. Whether you’ve been with us since the Neptune Lures days or just discovered us through our database-driven site launched in 2018, we thank you for being part of our history.

This is an animated cartoon of our mascot, Bubbles McSmiley.

Blah, blah, blah. Let’s go fishing now!

“PANFISHPRO” and “MILLIONS OF FISH, COUNTLESS MEMORIES.” are federally registered trademarks of Panfishpro, LLC.

Disclaimer: Please be advised that Cubby® and Mini-Mite® are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Panfishpro® and NEXTALGX® are also registered trademarks; however, they are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the current owners of the Cubby Lures brand. Any reference to these marks is made exclusively for the purpose of providing a truthful historical account regarding the development, origin, and inventor of the Mini-Mite Jig.