Gary Miralles: Mack's Lure Ambassador

Master Angler and Tackle Inventor

Gary Miralles embodies a fusion of angling expertise, innovative spirit, and passionate educator. His innovative mind is behind some of the most successful kokanee and trout lures ever created, Gary represents the gold standard of what it means to truly understand fish, water, and the physics of attraction that make great tackle work.

“A lure will always sell if it works!” This philosophy, born from decades of hands-on experience, has guided Gary’s approach to both fishing and lure development throughout his remarkable career.

From Bathtub Prototypes to World Records

Gary’s journey began at age 16 with nothing more than a soda pop can and a pair of tin snips. It was a boyhood dream and an insatiable love of fishing that inspired him to begin inventing fishing lures in his family bathtub, testing prototypes first in the tub and later in a neighbor’s pool until the shape was perfect and the action was right. That first creation, the now-legendary Cripplure, caught his limit on its very first outing at Shasta Lake. It was a sign of things to come.

But life had other plans first. Gary served his community as a firefighter until an injury in 1988 forced him to retire and find a new profession. Starting in his garage in Redding, California, with a hand-built press, Gary began bending metal and selling his lures to local tackle shops under the Shasta Tackle Company banner.

The Cripplure’s ability to catch fish when other lures didn’t quickly made it the most popular lure on Shasta Lake. Articles in The Fish Sniffer, Salmon Trout and Steelheader, California Game and Fish, and Outdoor Life propelled it to household-name status throughout Northern California. Success forced Gary out of his garage to a new facility on the shores of Shasta Lake, where he continued developing revolutionary products including the Hum Dinger, Sling Blade, Koke-A-Nut, and Shuttle Hawk.

The Physics of Fish Attraction

What sets Gary apart from other lure inventors is his deep understanding of the science behind fish behavior. “There are several reasons why a fish hits a lure,” Gary explains. “One, of course, is vibration, second is its appearance and flash, and third of course is the scent, with scent probably being one of the strongest of their senses.” This knowledge drives every design decision in his tackle innovations.

Gary’s understanding of water physics, light penetration, thermoclines, and fish sensory systems has led to breakthrough products that consistently outperform traditional tackle. The Sling Blade dodger, for instance, wasn’t just another attractor—it was engineered to create precise vibration patterns that trigger aggressive responses from kokanee and trout. The result? Products that have held numerous world kokanee records and continue to dominate tournament standings across North America.

The Educator’s Heart

 Perhaps what makes Gary remarkable isn’t just his ability to catch fish or invent tackle—it’s his genuine passion for teaching others. “It’s a tough life, but someone has to do it!” he jokes about his role as a fishing educator, but his enthusiasm for sharing knowledge is infectious and genuine.

In 1995, Gary started a guide service specifically so he could fish more while sharing his deep-water trolling techniques with anglers from around the world. His seminars at sport shows throughout the West have become legendary for their combination of technical precision, practical application, and Gary’s natural ability to entertain while educating. Whether he’s demonstrating the “Miralles two-step” while singing his version of “Put the Lime in the Koke-A-Nut,” or breaking down the complex physics of thermocline fishing, Gary brings an energy and enthusiasm that transforms learning into pure enjoyment.

His instructional video “Kokanee Trolling” has become the gold standard for kokanee fishing education, providing both beginners and experienced anglers with the knowledge they need to succeed on the water. Gary doesn’t just teach techniques—he explains the “why” behind every decision, creating anglers who can adapt and succeed in any conditions.

The Mack’s Lure Acquisition 

When Mack’s Lure purchased Shasta Tackle Company in 2016, it represented a significant strategic move that brought Gary’s innovative products into the Mack’s Lure catalog. The complete acquisition allowed Mack’s Lure to expand their product offerings with proven, tournament-winning designs while providing Gary the opportunity to still be involved as a brand ambassador focusing on what he does best: field testing, product evaluation, and angling education.

“For 28 years, we built a strong company, but as business evolves, it became apparent that we needed a strategic partner to continue growth,” Gary explained at the time. Since fully acquiring Shasta Tackle, Mack’s Lure has launched Gary’s designs into stores like Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart, Fish USA, Fisherman’s Warehouse, and countless other tackle shops throughout the United States and Canada. 

As Mack's Lure Ambassador, Gary serves in a promotional capacity, testing products, providing field reports, and educating anglers about effective techniques. His role involves traveling to fishing destinations, conducting seminars, and sharing his expertise through various media channels—all while representing the quality and innovation that Mack’s Lure brings to the angling community. 

Field Testing and Product Evaluation Excellence

Gary’s approach to product evaluation is methodical and scientific. As an expert angler, he rigorously tests Mack’s Lure products across diverse fishing conditions, often developing new applications and techniques that maximize their effectiveness. His deep understanding of fish behavior and water dynamics allows him to provide valuable feedback about product performance while identifying the best applications for any given situation.

This testing role makes Gary an invaluable resource for both Mack’s Lure’s product development team and the angling community. His field reports help validate product performance while his seminars and educational content help anglers understand how to use these products most effectively. 

Current Adventures and Continued Innovation 

Today, Gary continues to push boundaries both geographically and technically in his role as a Mack’s Lure Ambassador. Now based in North Carolina, he’s expanding his expertise into new species and waters. His recent ventures targeting walleye represent the same methodical, scientific approach that made him legendary in the kokanee world. “I’m applying the same attention to detail and systematic approach to walleye that I’ve used with kokanee and trout since I was 16,” Gary explains. “Every species has its patterns and preferences—you just need to take the time to understand them.”

This expansion into new species and techniques showcases Gary’s value as a pro angler who brings fresh perspectives and applications to established products. His recent social media posts show him consistently putting Mack’s Lure products through their paces on diverse waters, from traditional kokanee strongholds to emerging walleye fisheries.

The Innovator’s Perspective

What makes Gary exceptional in his role is his continued belief that there’s always a better way to catch fish and better ways to use existing products. His experience as a lure inventor gives him unique insights into how products work and how they can be applied in different situations. “My desire to build a better mousetrap lives on today and tomorrow,” he says, and this innovative mindset benefits both his pro staff work and the anglers who learn from his techniques.