19th Century Fishing Line 19th Century Fishing Line – Fishing lines came in a variety of packaging styles in the late 1800s besides being wound on wooden spools (which were introduced in the late 1870s). It was very common to find lines sold in “HANKS” (wrapped in elongated coils with the final wraps around the […]
Category Archives: Antique Lures
Payne Humane Woggle Bug Lure The Payne Humane Woggle Bug Lure is a part hook appliance and part vintage fishing lure manufactured in Chicago, Illinois. This wooden antique lure measures 3 1/4″ in length. The lure doesn’t feature glass or tack eyes, moreover, the single forward line tie screws / anchors give the appearance of […]
Heddon Luny Frog Lure Initially the Heddon Luny Frog Lure was introduced around 1927. Changes in material would influence the way Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan would do business for decades to come. Making a switch from the standard wooden material, Heddon would evolve into a colossal giant making artificial baits with plastics. It widely known […]
Heddon Tiny Punkinseed Lure The Heddon Tiny Punkinseed Lure was given a model series 380. James Heddon expounded upon a fisherman favorite line with this little zig zagging plastic antique fishing lure. The lure measures 1 5/8″ in length and tips the scales at 3/8 ounce. Originally priced at $1.35 this classic was first introduced […]
Creek Chub Surf Popper Antique Lure The Creek Chub Surf Popper Antique Lure is a large piece of fishing lumber. Made by the Creek Chub Bait Company, out of Garrett, Indiana this antique lure was first produced in 1953 and was out of production by 1958, so only five years worth of production which makes […]
Bagley Shalr B Lure The Bagley Shalr B Lure is a very rare Vintage Bagley Balsa fishing lure. The Shall’r B 1 or SHB1 Antique Fishing Lure shown below in the gallery is in 0BR, or Black on Brown. This lure is rated a 10 of 10 in the Bagley book. The lure has only […]
Creek Chub Salt Spin Darter The Creek Chub Salt Spin Darter was a short lived or produced antique lure. The antique lure was first produced in 1955 and was out by 1958, so only was present for three years worth of production. This wooden, painted eye, antique fishing lure was given a model series number […]
SJ Meyer Manhattan Lure The SJ Meyer Manhattan Lure is one of those antique fishing lures we haven’t found too much information about. There is an estimated 10 year time frame that this lure is being attributed to 1910-1920. This antique fishing lure made of wood is typical of the rotary head style of lures […]
Wilson Six in One Wobbler Lure Ad This Wilson Six in One Wobbler Lure Ad comes from a Field and Stream January 1916. The article title the Plugger’s of 1916 give an over view of a half dozen or so lures new to market. Wilson That’s all Yes sir; here you are son a plug […]
Pflueger Red Devil Spinner Antique Lure The Pflueger Red Devil Spinner Antique Lure is another lure made by Pflueger of Akron Ohio that would evolve over time. The model before this would be a wrapped twine body where now was made of wood. The Red Devil Spinner was given a model series 2700 and was produced […]
Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Shakespeare Lures
Shakespeare Antique Lure Revolution HH Kiffe 1903
Shakespeare Antique Lure Revolution HH Kiffe 1903 In this Great Shakespeare Antique Lure Revolution HH Kiffe 1903 we see the Advertisement for not only the Worden Bucktail, but the Revolution. SHAKESPEARE BAITS The Shakespeare Revolution Spinner The Shakespeare Bucktail Spinner The Revolution Bait. A new departure in Fishing. Made entirely of Aluminum with First Quality […]
Moonlight Floating Bait Lure The Moonlight Floating Bait Lure was first introduced in 1909. Although, I imagine, since the company was purported to have been established in 1908 that the lure may have been at the corresponding time. The Moonlight Bait Company would go on to be around for a half a century, although it […]
Buel Original Spoon Bait This Buel Original Spoon Bait article comes to us from a Hardware trade book Iron Age in 1893. What you will find interesting is that it gives us a date of 1834. In discussing this with a friend, and fellow lover of old metal lures he was aware of the story, […]
Heddon Chugger Spook Lure The Heddon Chugger Spook Lure has a long history that begins in 1938. The antique lure made by Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan would take on a model number 9540. This painted eye spook lure measure right at 3″. Like many of the base model lures they would be the inspiration for […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing
Fly Fishing Oil Canvas Painting
Fly Fishing Oil Canvas Painting This Fly Fishing Oil Canvas Painting made the 10.5 hour drive each way a few weeks ago worth it. Along with seeing the many friends it had been to long and to far in between. I may not have gotten it until today but it was what I anticipated getting […]
Heddon Giant Jointed Vamp Frog Scale Lure The Heddon Giant Jointed Vamp Lure is a serious wooden lure and admittingly larger than most of the fish I catch. The model 7350 was wooden, glass eyed, antique fishing lure is 6″ in length, jointed in the middle. This antique lure crafted by Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan […]
Heddon Dowagiac Underwater Lure 1902 Ad This Heddon Dowagiac Underwater Lure 1902 Ad is one of the earliest lure articles and ads I’ve seen or have run across for Heddon and their antique fishing lures. You just wont find many items in 1902, the same year the Dowagiac Underwater Casting lure and the Dowagiac Expert […]
Jointed Husky Pikie Lure The Jointed Husky Pikie Lure was a trusted Muskie lure. The Creek Chub Bait Company of Garrett Indiana would assign the model number 3000 to it. This Giant Jointed Great Northern slayer was first introduced in 1931 and lasted until 1978. This Jointed version of the similar Husky Pikie measured in […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Chapman Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Pflueger Lures
Pflueger Flying Helgramite Vs Chapman Buel
Pflueger Flying Helgramite Vs Chapman Buel This great little ad discusses the Pflueger Flying Helgramite Vs Chapman Buel. This comes to us from 1884, 137 years ago. Early advertising for lures mentioned in here such as the Crystal Minnow, and the Flying Helgramite are hard to come by so enjoy. Pflueger Flying Helramite Vs Chapman […]
Heddon Zaragossa Lure The Heddon Zaragossa Lure was a widely popular top water fishing lure. This antique fishing lure was made and marketed by Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan. The lure was first introduced in 1920 and last for over a half a century to 1971. This wooden, glass eyed lure was given a model series […]
1794 Fishing Tackle Ad This a 1794 Fishing Tackle Ad. It proves that sometimes while we believe the roots of the American Fly Fishing or Fishing Tackle industry started in the early to mid 19th Century, it did not. While names such as TH Bate, JT Buel, WD Chapman and others like Bradford and Anthony […]
Heddon Basser Antique Lure The Heddon Basser Antique Lure was first introduced in 1922. The great wooden Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan lure was in the Heddon lure line up for over three decades. The Basser lure was given a series model 8500. This glass eyed fishing lure was 4 1/4″ in length and traditionally came […]
Heddon Baby Dowagiac Lure The Heddon Baby Dowagiac Lure made a few appearances in the Heddon antique fishing lure line up. Its first appearance was in 1909, and would run on and off up through the year 1929 when it would disappear. It would make a reappearance a quarter century later in 1951 and last […]
Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
The Thrill of the Hunt Country Living June 2016
The Thrill of the Hunt Country Living June 2016 Thrill of the Hunt speaks volumes to many of us collectors, either in spirit or in dedication. Whether its that crazed passion that wakes us up in the morning 4 hours early to get to be first in line at the estate sale or travel 5 […]
Heddon Dowagiac Spook Lure The Heddon Dowagiac Spook Lure was first introduced in 1930 and last quite some time up until the 1970’s under one of its names. The Dowagiac Spook is one of those lure where they never could seem to keep its name straight and can be found under 4 different yet similar […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Chapman Lures
WD Chapman Brockville Ontario Lure Ad 1883
WD Chapman Brockville Ontario Lure Ad This great WD Chapman Brockville Ontario Lure Ad comes to us from 1883. While this antique lure ad shows the WD Chapman Allure bait. The ad also gives us some other clues to putting together another of the Antique Fishing Lure Puzzles. We see that it uses the name […]
Heddon Bass Bug Spook The Heddon Bass Bug Spook was first introduced in 1939 and lasted until 1953. This antique fly fishing lure was made by Heddon of Dowagiac, Michigan. Coming in two different distinct sizes, the fly lures were given model 974 for the Trout size and 975 for the larger Bass size. The […]
1931 Heddon Lure Catalog This 1931 Heddon Lure Catalog has some new great lures presented like the New Dowagiac spook. We even get a great synopsis of the Rod with the Fighting Heart. Heddon, – the Rod with the Fighting Heart! Or, as Mr. V. A. Hart of Greenville, California, so expressively puts it: “Heddon […]
Jamison Nemo Antique Lure The Jamison Nemo Antique Lure is one of my favorite lures made by smiling Bill. Circa 1910 this rotary head antique lure made by the William Jamison Company of Chicago, Illinois. This wooden fishing lure measured 2 3/8″ in length, and was also available in a musky sized version. The lure […]
Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Shakespeare Lures
Shakespeare Hydroplane Antique Lure Article 1916
Shakespeare Hydroplane Antique Lure Article 1916 Magazines containing things like this Shakespeare Hydroplane Antique Lure Article from Recreation Vol 54-55 magazine in 1916 are great. Being able to uncover history’s shroud as it pertains to Antique Fishing lures and their makers is great. It was prior though by many reference materials and books that the […]
PK Bright Eyes Lure The PK Bright Eyes Lure is a lot easier of a mouthful than saying Pachner & Koller. This antique lure company got its start in 1933 in Chicago Illinois. The stories early beginnings are neat and filled with lore as the two traveled the country pulling a horse trailer selling hooks. […]
1933 Creek Chub Catalog This 1933 Creek Chub Catalog has a great piece about the rare and coveted & illusive Creek Chub Line Spool CREEK CHUB LINES Next to good lures a good line is the most important part of a bait caster’s equipment, for on the smoothness. flexibility and strength of the line depend […]
Outing Du Getum Lure The Outing Du Getum Lure was first introduced in the late teens. The Outing Manufacturing Company of Elk Hart Indiana among its release of a series of hollow metal antique fishing lures. The Du Getum resembled a bug or a beetle even a floating frog. The lure came in two different […]
Creek Chub 1953 Catalog The Creek Chub 1953 Catalog brings out a neat bit of American fishing history along side the Creek Chub Bait Company line up. An Old American Custom Modernized through Creek Chub Creations Stepping backward through the pages of American history, we find the stalwart Indian before Columbus and even before the […]
Heddon Zig Wag Lure The Heddon Zig Wag Lure is a fisherman and antique lure collector favorite. The lure was stated to have been released in 1926, however it would not make its debut on paper until Heddon 1928 antique lure catalog. This wooden articulated lure resembles the Basser in shape but where it differs […]
Heddon Wiggler Lure Paperwork The Heddon Wiggler Lure Paperwork is a scarce desirable vintage lure Paperwork. The paperwork shows both the Deep Diving Wiggler Model 1600 and the Near Surface Wiggler, Model 1700. The paper dates to Circa 1915 and explains the features functions and benefits of the classic collectible lures. The Latest from Dowagiac Heddon’s […]
Heddon Surface Spook Lure The Heddon Surface Spook Lure was a model series 210. This version was released in 1974 and was sold through 1983. While it was being sold it did not make the catalog each year and was sporadically shown. This Heddon of Dowagiac lure was made of plastic unlike the early versions […]
The First Kingfisher Lines by John Etchieson Its Tight Lines Tuesday The First Kingfisher Lines ; Between 1890 and 1905 the E J Martin Company Kingfisher brand was granted a registered trade mark by the U S Patent Office for each of three slightly different variations to the artwork that was used on their first […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Chapman Lures
Chapman Combination Minnow Lure Ad
Chapman Combination Minnow Lure Ad This WD Chapman Combination Minnow Lure Ad is out of Forrest and Stream from January 25th, 1885. Chapman’s Bait Still Ahead The “New Combination,” Just Out. See Cut In Three Sizes for Pike, Pickerel, Bass, Trout & Muskellunge Read the Testimonials: W.D. Chapman and Son, Theresa, New York: As an […]
Jointed Vamp Spook Lure The Jointed Vamp Spook Lure was a short lived lure by Heddon standards. Originally released in 1932 this Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan made antique fishing lure was cataloged through 1943 lasting only a decade. This classic bait was given a model series 9730, akin to its wooden brother the Jointed Swimming […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Pflueger Lures
Pflueger Antique Fly Lure 1888
Pflueger Antique Fly Lure 1888 This Pflueger Antique Fly Lure 1888 ad is one of those that I found off the beaten path. Recording media has been done since the beginning of time, its just the mode, methods and the medium for transmission have change. I found this great old Pflueger Antique Fly Fishing lure […]
South Bend Pike Oreno Lure The South Bend Pike Oreno Lure was given a model number 957, by the South Bend Bait Company of South Bend, Indiana. The wooden antique lure went through a host of changes in its 21 years. The lure was first introduced in 1931 and lasted all the way until 1952. […]
FC Woods Expert Lure Detachable Hook Ad This FC Woods Expert Lure Detachable Hook Ad comes to us from January 1907 Shields Magazine. Messrs FC Woods & Co Alliance Ohio manufacturers of the Expert wooden minnows have placed on the market a new hook. It is double and is instantly detachable without the use of […]
Paw Paw Plenty Sparkle Lure The Paw Paw Plenty Sparkle Lure is created in the late 1950’s early 1960’s. This antique fishing lure made by Paw Paw Bait Company of Paw Paw Michigan and was a lure model series number 5500. This wooden lure measured in at 4″ inches in length and was a top […]
Heddon Dummy Double Ad 1917 This ad is a Heddon Dummy Double Ad 1917 copy. Believe it of not this ad came out of all things a Shakespeare Lure Catalog. I’ve got a bunch of ads to share out of there and I’ve always found it funny that The Shakespeare lure company would advertise its […]
Shakespeare Jerkin Lure The Shakespeare Jerkin Lure was first introduced in 1940. The antique lure is Shakespeare of Kalamazoo Michigan lure model series number 6567. The lure is defiantly try to piggy back or recreate the success of the Creek Chub Darter and Heddon Zara fishing lure. This wooden pressed eye lure is 4″ in […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures
Grover Cleveland Fisherman President
Grover Cleveland Fisherman President What do Grover Cleveland Fisherman President and Joseph Decatur, Dr Kassen Gibson and the small town I grew up in in Upstate NY have in common? Grover Cleveland, who in my opinion was one of our best presidents was arguably one of the better fisherman and outdoors sportsmen presidents of all time. […]
Edgren Spinning Minnow Lure The Edgren Spinning Minnow Lure was first introduced in 1904. The lure was made by the Edgren Manufacturing Company our of Chicago Illinois. This smallish metal fish shaped antique fishing lure was available in three different models and sizes. Sizes 1-3 were offered for sale, with Size 1 the largest, measuring […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Pflueger Lures
Pflueger May Bug Lure Ad 1904
Pflueger May Bug Lure Ad This Pflueger May Bug Lure Ad comes to us from a vintage 1904 Enterprise Manufacturing Company; Pflueger Lure and Reel Catalog. The May Bug spoon itself dates back into the 1800’s and can be fished bait casting as well as skittering. The May Bug has always been a favorite among […]
South Bend Underwater Minnow 905 The South Bend Underwater Minnow 905 series is Circa 1912. This 905 series wooden, glass eyed minnow lure was made for over 20 years. The lure was South Bends 5 Hook Underwater minnow lure was the companies industry standard 5 hook lure at the time. The lure had a front […]