Paul "Coot" Williams

Paul “Coot” Williams began his lure-making journey in 2004, launching Coot’s Lures with a blend of innovation, creativity, and a genuine passion for helping anglers catch more fish. His first creations, the Coot 1 and Coot 2 kits, revolutionized the fishing world. Each compact kit included 23 pieces—bead assemblies, treble hooks, hook harnesses, spinner blades in sizes #3 and #5, and flutter spoons in two sizes. Coot’s design philosophy was simple but groundbreaking: Every component should be interchangeable. This allowed anglers to create over 1,000 bait combinations right on their boat, supported by a schematic for endless presentations. 2006 — Innovation Takes the Stage In 2006, Coot introduced what he believes to be the first Rattle Worm Harness, featuring a quick-change clevis and a rattle chamber filled with BBs for sound and attraction. That year, his close friend Keith Kavajecz used the system to achieve a 4th-place finish in the PWT in Escanaba, MI, showcasing that Coot’s innovations could compete at the highest level. 2008 — The Spoon De Ville Era Coot continued to push boundaries with a flutter spoon paired with a slow-death hook system. Marketed by Tommy Harris as the Spoon De Ville, the lure quickly gained recognition and remains one of Coot’s favorite designs to this day. 2015 — FireFly Planer Board Lights In 2015, Coot introduced the FireFly Planer Board Lights — a bright, durable lighting system designed to help anglers track their planer boards at night or in low-visibility conditions. The lights quickly caught on with night-time walleye anglers and became another example of Coot’s commitment to making fishing easier, safer, and more effective. 2012–2016 — The Birth of the Rattlin' Wasp In 2012, Coot focused on crankbaits, leading to the creation of the Rattlin’ Wasp—a lure crafted with rattles, custom color patterns, and powerful vibration. Produced in sizes #4 and #5, it became a versatile tool for walleye, bass, crappies, and even pike and musky. The Rattlin’ Wasp debuted in 2016 and stands as one of Coot’s hallmark achievements. 2018 — The Coot’s Lures Trolling Rod ( Trollmaster SLX) 🎯 Trollmaster SLX Rod Sizes Coot’s Trollmaster SLX lineup includes six different size/power-configurations: 8′6″ — telescopic, medium power 8′ — telescopic, medium power 7′6″ — telescopic, medium power 7′ — one-piece, medium-light power 7′ — one-piece, medium power 7′ — two-piece, medium power In 2018, Coot collaborated with Ken Grahl of HT Enterprises to design his ideal trolling rod. Together, they engineered a rod with: A handle shortened by 3 inches for better control Dual metal reel seats for maximum durability A forward-threading rear reel seat A comfortable triangular forearm grip No trigger (because trolling rods don’t need one!) A secure hook saver for safe travel on the lake This rod embodies Coot’s lifetime of experience, crafted into gear that anglers can rely on. 2019 — Mag Net Go In 2019, Coot launched the Mag Net Go, a magnetic net control system with a 4-pound pull magnet. This innovation solves the classic angler’s frustration of nets dropping, tangling, and snagging hooks. It quickly became a favorite for serious anglers looking for efficiency on the water. 2023 — Entering the Ice Fishing World In 2023, Coot expanded into the realm of ice fishing, introducing his first ice fishing product called the Rattlin' Wind Jigger. This product is still being tested and developed. A Life of Innovation, Family, and Fishing Coot’s journey would not have been possible without the unwavering love and support of his wife, Kathy, and his children, Jessica and Aaron, who were always ready to fish alongside him. He is also proud to have a grandson Ashton and a granddaughter Summer. A heartfelt thank-you goes to Aaron of Watch Williams Media for his dedication in bringing the Coot’s Lures story to thousands of fans across social media platforms. Coot’s Lures now boasts a combined following of over 375,000+ across all major platforms: Facebook: 246,000+ followers TikTok: 110.6K followers Instagram: 7,904+ followers YouTube: 12,000+ subscribers