Jesse Panuccio, executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, toured Bass Assassin Lures in Mayo. Pictured left to right, are: Jesse Panuccio, Robin Shiver and Teresa Shiver.

Mayo company Bass Assassin Lures Inc. was site to a tour from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (FDEO) recently. 

FDEO Executive Director Jesse Panuccio has been touring manufacturing facilities all over Florida and made a stop at Bass Assassin Dec. 9.

Bass Assassin is a family business in Mayo that makes soft plastic fishing lures for fresh and saltwater. Bass Assassin has been open since the 1970s, and Robin Shiver’s family took the business over in 1988. Robin and his wife Teresa now run the business with 28 employees, many of who are family.

During the tour, Teresa informed Panuccio that Bass Assassin lures are not only used in the United States, but are also shipped internationally. According to Teresa, the company is currently working on orders for Sweden and Russia. 

“I love coming to manufacturing facilities and seeing how things are made,” Panuccio said. 

All of the machines that Bass Assassin uses to make their lures are made in house. According to Teresa, knowing how the machine is made, makes it easier to fix when it inevitably breaks.  Along with making their own machines, they also hand package their lures. 

“It was great that he came out and showed interest in our business,” Teresa said.