Beetle Bug Bait Lure
The evolution of the Beetle Bug Bait Lure starts with these Rare Weighted Prototype Vintage Lures. The first two pictures feature one with White Buck-tail Red Feather. Both examples have identical measurements to an actual Beetle Bug Bait Company Beetle Bug. They were acquired at an NFLCC lure meet many years ago and nothing like them has been seen since that time. Since they are so much like the finished product in size and with the connection hinge being the same, the side connectors for the pork tails or imitation pork tails seem a likely 1st try at development before the lure was finally introduced in 1934. When will you ever see another like this? A photograph of M36 can be seen on page 13 of Lumpkin’s book on Millsite Fishing Tackle
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Next is a Rare Introductory Beetle Bug Bait Lure in almost unheard of Checkerboard Box. The checkerboard box has been altered by someone who cut the top from the box and inserted a cellophane window. However, even though it was altered, it is the introductory box for the original Beetle Bug Bait and the only known example of a box for a Weighted Beetle Bug antique lure. The carded example of the #5 color pattern matches the #5 box label. The unmarked prop in the non-removable configuration is typical to the 1934 introductory models and was only manufactured by the Beetle Bug Bait Company for two years. It is the only model on a card or in a box that is known. (see Steve Lumpkin’s book on Millsite Fishing Tackle for the whole story) A photo of the package can be seen on page 69 in Lumpkin’s book on Millsite Fishing Tackle
Beetle Bug Bait Lure in 1st Version Intro Box Gallery
The second model Weighted Beetle Bug manufactured by the Beetle Bug Bait Company was introduced in 1936. It was packaged in a new style box showing a jumping fish with the Beetle Bug in its mouth and illustrations of small Beetle Bugs surrounding all of the edges of the box. The reason for the change in the box design was due to a major change in the prop design that allowed the fisherman to remove the prop when needed. The propeller also had the Beetle Bug Bait Co. name stamped on the blade. The Beetle Bug Bait Company continued to manufacture this 2nd model lure into 1937 before selling the company to the Millsite Steel & Wire Works about mid-1937. The lure is a color pattern #5 on a color pattern #5 card and it comes in the 2nd variation box labeled for a color pattern #6 lure.
The jumping fish box is the only example of this box known to exist and was only manufactured for one and one-half year. The illustration of the jumping fish was purchased by Millsite Steel & Wire Works when they bought the company in 1937 and then reused the fish/Beetle Bait design on their first red/white/black jumping fish boxes they introduced in 1938. (see Steve Lumpkin’s book on Millsite Fishing Tackle for the whole story including the story of the Beetle Bug Bait Company) A photo of the package can be seen on page 69 in Lumpkin’s book on Millsite Fishing Tackle
Beetle Bug Bait Lure in 2nd Version Box Photo Gallery
This is a very rare 1934 Beetle Bug Bait Company Lure Catalog. This is the Only Known Example and measures 3 1/4″ closed and 6×9″ half open.
Beetle Bug Bait Lure 1934 Catalog
Next is a rare 1936 Beetle Bug Bait Company Lure Catalog. The only known example of the 1936-mid 1937 Beetle Bug Bait Company’s catalog. A photo of the catalog can be seen on page 68 of Lumpkin’s book on Millsite Fishing Tackle.
