History
I’m Captain Curtis Rissberger. I started Berger Ops. Fishing® as a lure building hobby in 2019. With the help and support of my friends and family, Berger Ops. Fishing® become a small business in 2020. I originally focused on building and selling my own custom baits. However I soon realized that the competition was steep in the lure making industry as many manufacturers have already mastered mass production processes and are producing huge quantities of absolutely stunning lures. So in 2023, after a multi year hiatus as I finished a doctoral degree in physical therapy, I decided that my best contribution to the fishing community would be through providing on water fishing education and guiding services while continuing to build custom ‘one-off’ lures for retail.
Why try our baits?
Berger Ops. Fishing® is a company on a mission to create and sell a few of America’s toughest fishing lures. As as result, I expect my baits to be used and abused by both anglers and the monsters they chase. Crank ‘em, yank ‘em, smash ‘em, bash ‘em, I expect the lures I offer to stand up to the brutal demands of both salt and fresh water fishing. To top that, I consistently prioritize the use of American made and environmentally friendly materials, finishing methods, and components when building my baits. My focus is to create and sell baits that will stand up to the natural power of the largest and most aggressive species of fish. When you finally set the hook on the monster you’ve been chasing, you can trust Berger Ops. Fishing® baits to hold up to the fight of a lifetime!
Supporting Anglers
On top of my quest to build some of the toughest custom hard baits in the game, I strive to provide support anglers through small sponsorships, scholarships, on water education, captain services, and following all DEC and EPA laws and regulations to protect wild resources for generations to come.
Why call it Berger Ops. Fishing®?
Well, to make long story short, "Berger", from is German origin, refers to a person who lives in the mountains. "Ops." is an abbreviation for operations. Curtis Rissberger, founder and owner of Berger Ops. Fishing®, grew up and learned to fish in the many small lakes and rivers located in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.
