Inventor of Flip in the Bird Revealed
The Story of Sam Kennedy — Inventor of Flip in the Bird Fishing Lures
Bass fishing is full of lures, but few have a story like the Flip in the Bird™ topwater lure.
Behind it is Sam Kennedy — former NFL player, bass angler, lure designer, and veteran supporter — whose journey from the football field to the fishing industry is as powerful as the strikes his lure produces.
From San Jose State Walk‑On to NFL Player
Sam Kennedy didn’t take the easy road to professional football.
He wasn’t the highly recruited high school star — he was the walk‑on from San Jose State University, grinding for every snap.
Through sheer determination, he earned his place in the NFL, proving that grit beats talent when talent doesn’t hustle.
Serving the Wounded Warriors
After his football career, Sam turned his energy toward giving back.
Through the Wounded Warriors program, he worked directly with injured veterans, helping them heal, reconnect, and find purpose beyond the battlefield.
It was service from the heart — the same kind of dedication he brought to every challenge in life.
Discovering Bass Fishing
Fishing became more than a pastime — it became therapy.
Sam fell in love with the quiet power of early mornings on the water, the thrill of a largemouth bass exploding on a topwater lure, and the strategic precision it takes to fool a predator fish.
The Pied‑Billed Grebe Moment
One day, Sam witnessed nature’s raw truth.
A pied‑billed grebe — a small diving bird — was working the surface near a shoreline.
Without warning, a trophy bass rocketed up from the depths, smashing the bird in a violent strike.
That single moment planted the seed:
“What if I could create a topwater lure that mimics a small bird?”
The First Flip in the Bird Lure
Sam grabbed a Mann’s Rattling Rat and glued on a pair of wings.
It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t lab‑engineered.
But on its very first casts, it drew savage topwater strikes and put fish in the boat.
The Flip in the Bird lure was born — a bird‑shaped topwater fishing bait designed to provoke reaction strikes from largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pike, and other aggressive gamefish.
The Hard Truth of the Fishing Industry
Breaking into the fishing tackle industry wasn’t easy.
Sam learned that some people couldn’t be trusted — deals were broken, partnerships soured, and the lure market could be cut‑throat.
The politics and back‑room games wore down his spirit, and eventually, Sam stepped away.
The Comeback — Bigger, Sleeker, More Realistic
Years later, inspiration struck again through his partner Dan — a fellow fishing entrepreneur with a creative drive to build the ultimate bird‑shaped fishing lure.
Together, they redesigned the Bird from the inside out:
More aerodynamic body for longer casts
Lifelike bird profile for realistic topwater action
Improved balance and weight distribution for better hook‑up ratios
This wasn’t just the Flip in the Bird lure reborn — it was the most advanced bird‑style topwater bait on the market.
Flip in the Bird Today
From weekend anglers to tournament bass pros, the Bird has earned a place in tackle boxes nationwide.
Its lifelike profile, unique splashing and flapping action, and irresistible noise make it a go‑to topwater fishing lure for anyone chasing big bass.
Flip in the Bird — Born from Grit, Built to Catch
The Flip in the Bird fishing lure is more than a bait.
It’s the story of a man who fought his way to the NFL, served those who served our country, battled through the harsh realities of the fishing industry, and came back to create a better, more innovative lure than ever before.
If you want a lure with heart, history, and a habit of getting monster bass blow‑ups, this is it.
