From Garage Startup to Premier Offshore Tackle Manufacturer

Fathom Offshore, headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, represents a remarkable 16-year journey from garage experiments to becoming a leading name in saltwater trolling lures and big-game sportfishing products. With operations across multiple states and a dealer network spanning both the U.S. and international markets, this North Carolina-based company has revolutionized the offshore tackle industry.

Founding Story: Three Partners, One Vision

Fathom offshore trolling lures began in 2009 when Andy Holcomb and Brandon Carter, both in their early-20s, started building trolling lures out of a garage in Wilmington, North Carolina. From the start, the two worked side by side designing, building, and marketing their quality tackle products, driven by a shared passion for sportfishing.

Two years later, they brought on a third partner, Keith English, whose extensive experience chasing Blue Marlin aboard his boat the “Click Through” added a wealth of on-the-water knowledge. Together, the three partners have continued to fish at a tournament level and grow Fathom Offshore into a leading name in the industry.

Industry Revolution: Bridging the Quality Gap

At the time of Fathom’s founding, the offshore tackle industry was largely split between mass-produced imports with poor rigging and inconsistent quality, or high-end gear available only to those with significant resources or full-time crews. Fathom Offshore set out to change that.

The vision was to blend hand-poured, artisan lure-building techniques of the past with modern advancements like:

• UV+ additives
• Keel weighting
• Jewelry-quality shell
• Durable soft plastic skirts
• Professional-grade rigging

The goal was simple: deliver tournament-level tackle built to perform under the toughest conditions, offer it at a fair price, and never sacrifice quality for profit.

Comprehensive Product Evolution

Fathom offshore trolling lures product line has grown from its original resin-style marlin lures to a comprehensive lineup of offshore tackle. From innovative dredges and chain squids to terminal tackle and lure skirts, Fathom Offshore now produces thousands of premium products – most of them made in-house in North Carolina.

Target Market: Serious Offshore Anglers

Primary customers are serious offshore anglers who care about the quality of the products they are using. They value Fathom products because the company knows what is on the line – whether it’s a full-time traveling Blue Marlin boat, or a weekend warrior, their products have to work.

“For one, it may be a $4 million dollar first-place Blue Marlin. For the other, it may be their kid’s very first Mahi, or one of only a handful of days they get offshore all year,” explains the company. “Either way, the stakes are high, and the value of those moments is the same to us – which is why our gear is built to perform every single time, without fail.”

What Sets Fathom Apart: Control, Commitment, Consistency

Fathom offshore trolling lures distinguishes itself through three key principles:

100% Manufacturing Control

They manufacture 100% of their resin style trolling lures by hand, one at a time, in their North Carolina facility. That means 100% attention to detail from start to finish. From insert to skirt, they control the entire process.

Professional Tournament Rigging

They professionally rig all products to the same quality and standards used in tournaments. Quality components, proper crimping, even down to small details like burnt leader ends.

Angler-First Philosophy

“We’re anglers first – so we know where and why tackle fails, and we build accordingly,” the company states. Unlike mass-produced imports, every lure is made by hand, rigged to tournament standards, and backed by a team that answers the phone and stands behind the product.

Overcoming Challenges Through Expertise

Like many small businesses, Fathom started with limited resources and lots of trial and error. The challenge was scaling from garage builds to an industry presence without sacrificing quality.

The company works closely with some of the best captains and mates in the world, who put their products to the test in real conditions every day. Their expertise, feedback, and trust are invaluable – helping refine designs and ensure that every product released has been tested and proven where it matters most: offshore.

Team Culture: Fishermen Building for Fishermen

Fathom offshore trolling lures maintains a tight-knit crew of fishermen, hunters, and outdoorsmen (and women). Keith brings decades of big-game experience, Andy and Brandon drive design and operations, and the warehouse team handles the hands-on craftsmanship.

“They’re the ones pouring lures, building dredges, packing orders, and making sure every product that leaves our building meets the standard our customers expect,” the company explains. “Their craftsmanship and attention to detail are the backbone of Fathom Offshore.”

The culture is described as equal parts hard work and passion – “we fish hard, work hard, and take pride in what we make. We may be the only company in the world that employees don’t have to lie about taking off work to go fish.”

Future Vision: Expanding Excellence

Fathom offshore trolling lures continues to innovate in lure design, dredge technology, and premium terminal tackle systems. Every year they roll out new products, but equally important is continually pushing to make existing products better, whether through small refinements or major upgrades.

Long-term goals include:

• Expanding the Fathom brand offering
• Developing new products in-house
• Strategic growth opportunities aligned with their values
• Increasing market share over the next 5-10 years
• Bringing complementary businesses under the Fathom umbrella
• Strengthening leadership in offshore sportfishing
• Keeping core production proudly in the U.S.A.

Company Philosophy: Fathom offshore trolling lures Wilmington North Carolina

“At the end of the day, we’re anglers building products for anglers,” Fathom states. “We know offshore fishing is expensive, time is limited, and tackle failure isn’t an option. Our promise is simple: when you run Fathom Offshore products you’re running something we’d trust ourselves when it matters most.”

Industry Recognition and Trust

What began as garage experiments and a love of offshore fishing has grown into an industry-recognized brand, trusted by tournament crews worldwide for more than 16 years. The company’s commitment to hand-poured quality, tournament-grade rigging, and angler-first philosophy has established them as a premier manufacturer in the competitive offshore tackle market.

Manufacturing Excellence

Key manufacturing advantages:

• Hand-poured resin lures one at a time
• In-house North Carolina production
• Tournament-standard rigging on all products
• Quality control from insert to skirt
• Attention to detail in every component
• Professional-grade materials and hardware

For more information about Fathom Offshore products and their complete tackle lineup, visit their website or contact their Wilmington, North Carolina headquarters.

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External Resources:

• Fathom Offshore Website – Complete product catalog

This business profile showcases Fathom Offshore’s commitment to tournament-grade offshore fishing tackle manufactured in North Carolina.

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