Jersey Hooker Lures
"Jersey Hooker" tuna lures are highly regarded, regionally famous custom offshore trolling lures born out of the Mid-Atlantic canyon fishing scene. They are deeply tied to New Jersey's big-game fishing history. [1]
The Maker: Bob "Bimbo" Koerner
While casual Northeast anglers often associate the phrase "Jersey Hooker" with the well-known Jersey Hooker Outfitters bait and tackle shop in Brick, NJ, hard-core canyon veterans know the name belongs to a specific pioneer of custom resin-headed lures: Bob "Bimbo" Koerner. [1, 2]
Operating primarily out of New Jersey, Bob Koerner hand-poured custom offshore trolling heads during the golden eras of canyon trolling. His creations earned a reputation for being deadly on yellowfin, bigeye, and bluefin tuna down in the Wilmington, Baltimore, and Hudson canyons.
Key Characteristics of His Lures
- Custom Resin Pours: Long before mass-produced plastic heads dominated the market, Koerner was known for pouring crystal-clear, durable epoxy and polyurethane resin heads.
- Unique Inserts: Similar to the West Coast and Hawaiian styles (like the Eat Me and Aqua Images lines), his heads frequently featured highly reflective foil inserts, heavy chrome tape, or colored prism elements designed to flash intensely when pulled through wake.
- Targeted Action: His head shapes—ranging from tight-tracking bullets to chuggers—were weighted specifically to handle the choppy, short-period chops of the Atlantic, ensuring they didn't constantly "blow out" of the water at tournament trolling speeds (6 to 9 knots).
Rarity & Value
Today, original "Bimbo" Koerner Jersey Hooker lures are considered vintage Northeast offshore treasure.
- Because they were produced in limited quantities relative to commercial brands, they are tightly held by classic New Jersey gear collectors and canyon captains.
- Depending on the size (schoolie tuna size vs. giant bigeye size) and the condition of the resin head, an authentic vintage piece can fetch anywhere from $50 to $100+ USD
