Jim Bagley became famous in the mid 1950s for his first invention - the "New Black Magic Eel" - and his innovative plastic worms were top sellers for years. Bagley subsequently invented and produced over 143 different fishing lures in 75 different colors, including the well-known "Bang-o-Lure," "Balsa B," "Diving B," "Kill'r B," "007," "Mighty Minnow," and "Salty Dog" lures.

Bagley is also credited with starting the "Super Line" craze when he brought "Bagley's Silverthread Fishing Line" to market in the 1980s. His Florida-based company employed 170 people by the time he retired in 1992.