Moonlight Bass Seeker Lure The Moonlight Bass Seeker Lure rights were purchased from Wilson Circa mid-1920s. The Moonlight Bait and Novelty Works Company made some significant acquisitions during this decade to increase their antique fishing lure line up. The Bass Seeker was taken from the Cupped Wobbler and has the distinctive rolled or cupped grooved […]
Category Archives: Antique Lures
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Reels
Fowler Reel Ad Abbey Imbrie 1884
Fowler Reel Ad Abbey Imbrie 1884 This Fowler Reel Ad comes to us from a Abbey Imbrie antique fishing tackle catalog. The antique lure and reel catalog was published in 1884 and provides for us this great ad. Enough cant be said about vintage or antique advertising giving us glimpses into the past from which the […]
Heddon Tiny Spook Lure The Heddon Tiny Spook Lure is a model series number 310. This small spook antique fishing lure measure a mere 1 7/8″ in length. The lure only lasted for two years in Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan lure product line up starting in 1955 and gone by 1957. The lure only ever […]
Coulter Thrasher Frog Lure The Coulter Thrasher Frog Lure is a very neat antique fishing lure. This plastic frog fishing lure was first made in 1958 however was patented in 1961. This plastic frog measures 4″ in length and has two trebles to secure its catch. The patent papers below describe it best. We have […]
Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Fly Rod Lures
Jamison Coaxer Floating Trout Fly Ad May 1909
Jamison Coaxer Floating Trout Fly Ad May 1909 Here we have a Jamison Coaxer Floating Trout Fly Ad May 1909 field and Stream article. A Live Artificial Bait This is what JW Jamison of Coaxer bait fame calls the little Coaxer Floating Trout Fly in his catalog. Mr Jamison says that all trout must prefer live flies […]
1948 Creek Chub Lure Catalog The 1948 Creek Chub Lure Catalog Gives a a Waring about Fishing Lure imitations. Genuine Creek Chub lures are manufactured only by The Creek Chub Bait Co. Garrett. Ind., U. S. A. To identify these lures and distinguish them from ihe host of cheap, worthless imitations which have sprung up, […]
1941 Creek Chub Catalog The 1941 Creek Chub Catalog States “Heres Proof” Each year many thousands of testimonial letters and splendid pictures of catches ol big game fish taken on Creek Chub True to Nature Lures are received from fishermen throughout the entire United States and more than forty foreign countries!These fishermen come from all […]
1936 Creek Chub Catalog The 1936 Creek Chub Catalog Explains “Why Creek Chub Baits Catch More & Bigger Fish. MADE by fishermen – for fishermen. Creek Chub’s Famous Fish Fooling Lures are created to accurately resemble in looks, size, shape, coloration, and above all, in life-like swimming movement the natural living minnows, frogs, crawdads, mice, […]
Creek Chub Triple Jointed Pikie The Creek Chub Triple Jointed Pikie was first introduced in 1959. This antique fishing lure was made from 1959 and lasted all the way until 1978. The Creek Chub Bait Company assigned this lure a model series 2800-P. The lure while called a triple jointed pike only has technically 2 […]
Bagley Lures That New Black Magic Bagley Lures That New Black Magic was the Company’s big break. Every company needs a little magic boost at the beginning to get them in the national fishing tackle limelight. While they only mention them as being from Winterhaven it didn’t take long for the public to catch on. […]
1935 Creek Chub Catalog The 1935 Creek Chub Catalog has a great excerpt on its Fly Rod Lure offerings. FLY ROD LURES Within the last few years a brand new sport has been developed : Fishing for pan fish with small plug lures. Wonderful sport can be had with these little lures on blue gills, […]
Pike Oreno Lure The Pike Oreno Lure was first introduced as a model 975. This South Bend Bait Company lure was first introduced in 1922 and lasted 7 years in its first appearance until 1929. I would later be reintroduced in take on a different shape and size. This antique fishing lure measured 4 1/4″ […]
FC Woods Expert Lure Ad Shields 1907 This ad is a FC Woods Expert Lure Ad Shields 1907. The Shields magazine had the same editor as the previous decade Recreation magazine and has provided more then a few great ads of antique fishing lures and tackle. The ad highlights their new type 2 detachable hooks […]
South Bend Muskie Surf Oreno Lure The South Bend Muskie Surf Oreno Lure was given a model series number 964. The South Bend Bait Company, out of South Bend Indiana wanting to expound up the success of its smaller or little brother introduced this first version in 1925 and kept it until around 1929. I […]
1931 Creek Chub Catalog This 1931 Creek Chub Catalog a a great early example of the offerings avaibe that year. Remember in 1931 America was in the middle of some major happenings. We were 2 years deep into the great depression, and if that wasnt enough, we began to see man kinds negative affects on […]
Detroit Bass Caller Lure The Detroit Bass Caller Lure was first introduced in 1939. Made by the Detroit Bait Company out of Detroit Michigan kind of looks like an airplane at first glance. This antique wooden lure measure 3 1/2″ inches in length. The lure has a scooped popper type mouth with the front line […]
Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Paw Paw Moonlight Lures
Moonlight Floating Bait Lure Ad 1910
Moonlight Floating Bait Lure Ad 1910 This Moonlight Floating Bait Lure Ad is from 1910 and sourced from the Outdoorsman’s Handbook. We see here a new lure just the year before produced by the Moonlight Bait Company from Paw Paw Michigan. You will notice however that the collar is the second version collar on the […]
Reissue Punkinseed Spook Lure The Reissue Punkinseed Spook Lure came with a sheet explaining its purpose etc. I’m not a fan of re-issue lures, not that I dont appreciate them or consider them collectable, or cool or enjoyable. My issue with them stems from when newer or younger collectors get fooled into thinking they are […]
Welch Graves Minnow Tube Article 1893 This Welch Graves Minnow Tube Article comes from an American Angler magazine, specifically the March 1893 issue. This obscure little ad shows us the Welch and Graves antique lure Minnow Tube the year it wast introduced. I grew up not far from Natural Bridge and really wished I had […]
2006 NFLCC Magazine Article Index This NFLCC Magazine Article Index 2006 contain the below Mentioned Articles. These and other Issues can be purchased by following the link below. National Fishing Luce Collectors Club Magazines June 2006 Volume 16 Issue Number 1 Cover Photo includes a amazing Collection of Antique Lures Reels Tackle & Flea Market Items Cover […]
Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Omer Immell Inventor of the Chippewa Lure
Omer Immell Inventor of the Chippewa Lure This Omer Immell Inventor of the Chippewa Lure historical excerpt is about Omer Immell, the inventor of the Chippewa antique fishing lure. HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY Omer F Immell hustling agent for the New York Life Insurance company was born on a farm three miles east of Blair, April 22, […]
Gee Wiz Frog Lure The Gee Wiz Frog Lure was first introduced in 1930. This great frog was made by the All Star Bait Company, out of Chicago Illinois. This is the regular sized from measuring in at 4 3/8″ in length. The frog antique fishing lure can be found in a musky size or […]
NFLCC Magazine Article Index 2010 This NFLCC Magazine Article Index 2010 contain the below Mentioned Articles. These and other Issues can be purchased by following the link below. National Fishing Luce Collectors Club Magazines Summer 20010 Volume 20 Issue Number 1 Cover Photo includes a amazing Collection of Contemporary Made Fishing Lures. From the Editor by […]
Heddon Hi Tail Antique Lure The Heddon Hi Tail Antique Lure was first introduced into Heddon’s Line up in 1960. This plastic spook lure is 2″ in length and tops the charts at 1/3 oz. The antique lure a model series #305 can be found in both white painted eyes, or with gold. The lure […]
NFLCC Magazine Article Index 2008 This NFLCC Magazine Article Index 2008 contain the below Mentioned Articles. These and other Issues can be purchased by following the link below. National Fishing Luce Collectors Club Magazines June 2008 Volume 18 Issue Number 1 Cover Photo includes a amazing Collection of Antique Lures Rod & Reel. From the Editor by […]
Heddon Sonic Lure The Heddon Sonic Lure was first introduced to the public in the 1957 Catalog. Heddon of Dowagiac, Michigan continued to move forward with a long standing tradition of innovation, research and of course master marketing. The antique fishing lure was given a model series 385, and was the middle size Sonic produced […]
Heddon Baby Vamp The Heddon Baby Vamp Minnow was a logical and pragmatic continuation to the Heddon Vamp family. Made in the silhouette of of its larger older brother, the Baby Vamp was given a model series 7400 by the antique tackle colossus James Heddon & Sons of Dowagiac Michigan. This fishing lure was first […]
Heddon Widget Fly Lure This Heddon Widget Fly Lure was first introduced in 1952. This antique fly lure was given model series number 300. This fly lure measures 1 1/4″ in length and has a #10 size treble hook. The lure has a small split shot ring attached to the front line tie on the […]
South Bend Two Oreno Lure The South Bend Two Oreno Lure was a series model number 975, and for some reason, shared a model number with a King Andy and a Pike Oreno, south bend had quite a few lures that shared numbers over time. That actually would explain the Two Oreno as its actually […]
Heddon Vamp Lure The Heddon Vamp Lure is a series 7500 and measures 4 1/2″ in length. This antique lure was first produced in 1920, and from then on was a regular staple in the James Heddon and Son fishing lure lineup for over 50 years. This antique fishing lure was made in a wide […]
Chapman Fancy Allure Ad This Chapman Fancy Allure Ad was published June 23rd, 1889.
Chapman Gut Fishing Leader This Chapman Gut Fishing Leader ad was published May 28th, 1889 and is features in the Chapman in the News Section. This article shows in part the breadth that Chapman played in the Fishing Tackle Industry. From the line, to the lure, the reels, rods and even the swivels, WD was […]
Froglegs Fishing Lure The Froglegs Fishing Lure was first introduced in 1940. This classic antique fishing lure was made by the Modern Sporting Goods Company of Austin, Texas. This fly eater was first made out of wood and would later transition to plastic after the company itself would change names as well. The lure measures […]
Chapman Baits Skiff Boats This Chapman Baits Skiff Boats ad was published June 17th, 1888. I’ve also included an interesting article from March 5th, 1889 about the Company Bain Boats adding a new DBA the ST Lawrence River Skiff Canoe and steam Launch Company. This is the company we see WD Chapman advertising in the […]
Heddon Baby Torpedo The Heddon Baby Torpedo Spook was first introduced in 1969, by Heddon of Dowagiac, Michigan. This classic antique fishing lure and ran all the way through 1984 and was given a model series number 361. This plastic fishing lure weighs roughly 3/8oz and measures in at 2 1/2″ in length and has […]
Chapman Letter to Huntsmen This Chapman Letter to Huntsmen was published October 6th, 1889 and is featured in Chapman In the News Headquarters For Sporting Goods in Rochester An Open Letter to Huntsmen This season we have made special purchases for your benefit in the way of Hunting Outfits nd accoutrements. We are handling the Stevens, […]
Heddon Punkie Spook Lure The Heddon Punkie Spook Fly lure was made no doubt due to the popularity of the now famous Heddon Punkinseed lure. This antique fly lure was a series 980, and shown in Heddon’s White Shore Finish Color Code XS and XRW. The lure was made in the in roughly a half […]
WD Chapman Christmas Questions WD Chapman Christmas Questions was published December 19th, 1892, and is part of the Chapman in the News Series. What Shall I get My Husband? What Shall I Get My Son? What Shall I get My Brother? What Shall I Get My Lover? These are the Questions Which Will Be Asked […]
Judas Frog Lure The Judas Frog Lure was made in 1947. We see a lot of lures especially novelty type antique fishing lures being made after WWII, as all the men return from the war wanting to spend time doing recreational things. This also is the beginning of the Baby Boom era and generation, and […]
Chapman Electric Bait Ad This WD Chapman & Son & Company Electric Bait Ad was published June 16th, 1889 and is part of our Chapman in the News Page. W.D. Chapman, Son & Co. 121 State Street The Weather is warm: Our Business is Hot! But we are loaded with goods which you want for […]
Moonlight Little Wonder Lure The Moonlight Little Wonder Lure was first introduced in 1925 & 1926 by the Moonlight Bait Company of Paw Paw, Michigan. The wooden antique fishing lure was produced in 3 different cataloged sizes, a 4th has been found but wasn’t listed as a cataloged lure. Physically the Little Wonder can be […]
Chapman Do You Fish WD Chapman & Son Do You Fish was published June 27th 1891. DO YOUFISH? CHAPMAN’S New Metal Phantom Bait is the greatest in the world. It is just out this season. Patent applied for. Old Ike Walton’s say it is the greatest bait ever made. The fish fight for it. We […]
Heddon Scissortail Fishing Lure The Heddon Scissortail Fishing Lure Model 9830 derives its function from its namesake. The lure was created by Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan in 1952 and only lasted for 4 years and was gone from catalogs by 1956. This antique lure is made of plastic (Tenite) in the shape of a snake […]
WD Chapman Good Reading for Anglers WD Chapman Good Reading for Anglers was published April 25th, 1891. A Good Reading For Anglers, A Truthful Fish Story with a Large Moral Hooked on to it. “Line upon Line, and precept upon precept. ” You can tackle this advertisement with every confidence in the world THE STORY […]
Heddon 9630 Punkinseed Lure The Heddon 9630 Punkinseed Lure was first introduced in roughly 1950. In 47 and 48 we see the new 730 and that is what the spook transitioned from and they even used the same printers block from the 730 in the early 1950s catalogs shown below. This antique fishing lure made […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures
WD Chapman Minnow Propeller Definition
WD Chapman Minnow Propeller Definition This WD Chapman Minnow Propeller Definition is a pretty unique advertisement. It lends itself or proves that life was simpler back then in the 19th century. In a day and age where everything seems to be complicated from our fishing boats to the equipment installed upon them, we have come […]
Chapman Cyclone Bait Ad This Chapman Cyclone Bait Ad was published June 30th, 1893. Suggestions for the Glorious Fourth We Let Others Do the Blowing While We Do the Business! Celebrate the Forth of July by going Fishing. Do credit to your own good judgement by getting your tackle from us. We have never had […]
WD Chapman Quiet Observations WD Chapman Quiet Observations was published December 17th 1890. QUIET OBSERVATIONS for the CHRISTMAS SEASON Have you a friend who is a fisherman ? You could not delight him more on the 25th of this month than by giving him one of our Split Bamboo or other fine rod. Is he […]
Heddon Little Luny Frog Lure The Heddon Little Luny Frog Lure is the smallest size in this collector favorite series. The lure a model 3400 was first introduced by Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan in 1927 and only lasted through 1931. The lure is made of a plastic, or pyralin substance and measures 3 3/4″ in […]
Chapman Charlottes Chief Attraction Chapman Charlottes Chief Attraction was published June 30th 1889. Charlottes Chief Attraction —————————- If you are going to Charlotte to-day, make a bee line for the BAIN B OATS, which we have in livery and at a small rental. There is nothing so delightful connected with Rochester’s chief summer resort as […]