Rapala

Rapala is the world's largest manufacturer of fishing lures and other fishing related products. It was established in Finland. Their most popular product is a balsa wood minnow imitation lure named the Original Floating Rapala. 
Rapala sells over 20 million lures each year, in 140 different countries. Two-hundred forty-two all-time world-record fish were set on Rapala lures, and 15 new records in 2005. It is also the only fishing lure manufacturer that mass produces balsa wood lures.
== Company timeline ==
1936- First lure carved out of cork by Lauri Rapala<BR>
1959- Normark established, begins distributing Rapala lures in U.S.<BR>
1962- Life magazine publishes article on Rapala<BR>
1964- Fish 'N Fillet Knife introduced<BR>
1974- Jointed Floater put on market<BR>
1982- Shad Rap brought to market<BR>
1998- Normark Corporation goes public
== Lures and products ==
Some top-running lures (3 feet or shallower) that they make include Skitter Pop, Skitter Prop, Skitter Walk, Jigging Shad Rap and Jigging Rap. 
Some Medium diving (about 3-10 feet) lures include Original Floater, Twitchin' Rap, Long Cast Minnow, CountDown, X-Rap, Shallow Shad Rap, Husky Jerk, X-Rap Jointed Shad, X-Rap 14, Rattlin' Rapala, Jointed Shad Rap, Shad Rap, Dives-to Series, Sure Set Series, Super Shad Rap, Glass Fat Rap, Dives-to Flat, and Fat Rap.
Some Deep diving Lures (10 feet or deeper) include Magnums, Down Deep Husky Jerk, Saltwater Sliver, X-Rap Magnum 30, and Deep Tail Dancer.
Other Rapala products include crankbaits, jigging lures, lipless crankbaits, surface poppers, fillet knives, fishing rods, reels, and various fishing tool
==External links==
*Rapala Web Site for North America
*Rapala Web Site Outside North America