Walleye First
Published January 29, 2008

	Castaic Softbaits founder Jason Scott (l) and Nature Vision, Inc. CEO Jeff Zernov

Brainerd, MN, January 22, 2008 - Outdoor technologies firm Nature Vision, Inc. announced today purchase of Castaic Softbaits. Throughout the fishing tackle industry, Castaic remains the recognized inventor of the swimbait category, currently the hottest lures for big bass in North America. Recognized by Field & Stream magazine as one of the top 50 all-time fishing lures, Castaic Softbaits have twice graced the cover of this prestigious publication.

The addition of Castaic provides Nature Vision with a proven fishing tackle product platform, which will immediately generate revenues during the spring and summer periods, traditionally the firm's low season. "Since our reverse merge in 2004, Nature Vision has been working to build a balanced portfolio of hunting - fishing product lines," stated Jeff Zernov, CEO of Nature Vision, Inc. "In these markets, three distinct periods define the selling calendar. Spring and summer are traditional seasons for fishing tackle. Fall is when hunting products sell, and winter is of course dominant for ice fishing product sales. The Castaic acquisition now gives us a fully balanced mix of products, completing our 3-tiered product equation."

"In recent years we have looked at a number of tackle companies, but none of them offered the growth potential of Castaic," Zernov said. "We didn't want a low end line of commodity items, rather we sought a strong brand with innovative products that we could build upon. Castaic is the perfect fit. Not only is Castaic a nationally recognized brand- even though they have never advertised-their proprietary manufacturing methods and numerous patents offer us a unique place in the market."

Castaic Softabaits founder Jason Scott will remain active within the organization, and has been hired as research and development director for Nature Vision's tackle division. The move combines into a single company the collective talents of Scott and Zernov, two of the fishing industry's sharpest innovators.

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