Hogue Outdoor Customs

04/10/2026

🤔

Ahh hell why not.

04/10/2026

Fresh from the tumbler and ready to become finished crankbaits!

03/28/2026

Great multi species day yesterday on the Illinois river. Jigging with our river jig and The Morph! Things are still rolling hot out there if you're trying to get in on the spring run!

Thank you for letting me jump in the boat David Hall!

03/15/2026

Good luck and safe day to all my friends and customers fishing the IWT stop #1 for the year on the Illinois River out of Spring Valley! Weather's gonna be sporty today so hope everybody stays safe!

03/13/2026

I had to take a few days to decompress. Get over a sinus infection. I know a lot of small lure manufacturers do alot more shows than what we took on this year but this was by far my most ambitious show season and I am really happy that I decided to take a leap and dive in further than I had the last couple years. Here is the latest blog post on HogueOutdoorCustoms.com talking about the adventure this winter.

That being said it's time to get back to the grind. The first shipment of Balsa wood just hit the shops door step and is already being prepped to become wood baits.

It's also time to Fish! The IWT's opening event is this weekend and I wish I could be there but I need to go be the cheering dad for my daughters state swim meet. But to everybody who is competing this weeking I wish you a safe tournament and hope everybody is able to get on fish.

If you've thought about jumping into one of these tournaments my advise is to do it. The Spring Valley Walleye Club puts on a heck of an event and this first one of the year is always the most fun and has the most boats.

Don't be like me in the past and get intimidated by the big glass deep V's and thinking you can't compete. This time of year there's fish from the dam in starved rock all the way down to Peoria. You don't need a big boat with a 400hp outboard to get to fish. You can show up with a bass tracker, a spinning rod with a pocket full of lead head jigs and a bucket of minnows and you are in the running. Grab a couple buddies and split the cost you won't regret it!

Hopefully the river stays decent for a couple weeks and I can have the Bedford Sales & Outdoors YarCraft out there chasing fish soon.

Tight Lines!

What a journey this winter has been. As we pack up the displays and pull the trailer back to Ottawa for the final time this spring, I find myself looking back at the last few months with a lot of gratitude. The 2026 show season has officially come to a close, and it has been our most rewarding year....

03/08/2026

Final day in Morris! 🎣🚤

​We are soaking up the last few hours of the Bedford Sales & Outdoors Open House. If you’re in the area, stop by and say hello before we pack it up!

​A huge thank you:

Before the show season officially ends for us, I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported the tackle show for St. Jude in Tremont. Because of your generosity, they were able to reach their donation goal for the kids! It’s an honor to be part of a community that steps up like that.

​What’s next for Hogue Outdoor Customs:

It has been a long, rewarding show season, but the workbench is calling. I’m excited to get back into the shop and start building again for next year.

​Website Inventory Update:

For those asking about restocks, I’ll be back at the CNC and the paint booth starting tomorrow. Website inventory will be restocked as soon as possible, so keep an eye on the site!

​📍 Where: Bedford Sales & Outdoors – Morris, IL
⏰ When: 9am - 2pm

​Thank you all for an incredible spring. Now, let’s go fishing. 🤜🤛

​

03/06/2026

Doors are open in Morris! 🎣🚤

​We’re officially set up at Bedford Sales & Outdoors for their annual Open House. The energy is high, the boats look great, and our table is fully stocked with handcrafted tools for the upcoming season.

​What we brought to the shop:

✅​Valley Dancers: Our specialized stick baits are here and ready for the spring Walleye run.

✅​River Hunter 2.0 & 2.5: Freshly tuned balsa squarebills built for grinding through heavy cover.
​.
✅​River Jigs: A wide variety of colors available to pair with your favorite plastics.

​Everything we sell is handcrafted and hand-tuned right here in the area. Come support a local shop and get your tackle box ready for the first cast of the year.

​📍 Where: Bedford Sales & Outdoors – Morris, IL
⏰ When: We’re here all weekend!

​See you at the open house! 🤜🤛

​

03/02/2026

03/01/2026

Final day in Madison at the Wisconsin Fishing Expo! 🎣🚀

We’re down to the wire at the Wisconsin Fishing Expo. If you haven't made it to Booth 714 yet, today is your last shot.

The Spring Run is almost here—stock up now:

✅River Jigs: Full color selection still available to get you through the walleye run.

✅Soft Plastics: Perfect pairings for our jigs to trigger those spring strikes.

✅Valley Dancers: These stick baits are going fast! Grab a few before the bins are empty.

✅Balsa Crankbaits: Last chance to pick up hand-tuned River Hunters and Steady Eddys.

Everything is handcrafted and tuned in Ottawa, IL. Let's finish the weekend strong!

📍 Booth 714
🗓️ Sunday: 9am - 3pm
See you at the show! 🤜🤛

02/28/2026

Day 1 was a blur—Day 2 is officially rolling! ☕🎣

​We’re back at the Alliant Energy Center for the Wisconsin Fishing Expo.
If you’re coming through the doors today, make sure to stop by Booth 714!

​The Valley Dancers have been selling hot since the doors opened yesterday. These have been a show favorite for the guys prepping for the spring Walleye runs, so be sure to stop by and grab yours before the hooks are empty!

​What else is on the table:

✅​River Hunter 2.0 & 2.5: The ultimate balsa tools for grinding through heavy river cover.

​✅​River Jigs: We have a full spread of colors on the table ready for the river.

✅​Custom CNC Molds: I’m here all day to talk shop about your custom lure ideas and prototyping needs.

​Everything here is handcrafted and hand-tuned in Ottawa, IL. Come see the difference balsa makes.

​📍 Booth 714

🗓️ Saturday: 9am - 6pm

​See you at the booth! 🤜🤛

​

02/27/2026

Madison, we’re live! 🎣

Hogue Outdoor Customs is officially set up for the Wisconsin Fishing Expo. Come find us at Booth 714 to talk shop and see what’s fresh off the bench.

We're going to be live on Facebook at 5pm on the Wisconsin Fishing Expo page talking about our baits!

What’s at the booth:

Custom Balsa: Full stock of River Hunters, Steady Eddys, and the Valley Dancer.

River Essentials: Our 60° Standup Jigs are ready for the spring run. Were stocked up on River Jigs tuned perfect for vertical jigging.

CNC Services: See our aluminum mold work in person and get a quote for your custom project.

Everything we bring is designed, cut, and hand-tuned in
our shop in Ottawa, IL.

📍 Find us: Alliant Energy Center – Booth 714
🗓️ When: Friday – Sunday

Stop by and say hello!