Shakespeare Nu Crip Minnow The Shakespeare Nu Crip Minnow lure was first introduced around 1934. The antique fishing lure made by the Shakespeare Bait Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan was given a model series number 6510. This wooden lure tried to meld the body of a underwater minnow with that of a more tradition SOS or […]
Category Archives: Antique Lures
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Bottom Scratcher Lure Color Chart
Bottom Scratcher Lure Color Chart This Bottom Scratcher Lure Color Chart give us a cool look at the sale sheet for a uniquely named antique fishing lure. The Bottom Scratcher came out in around 1950 and helps us date the piece, as it talks about the “New” bait. Bottom Scratcher A New, Deep Diving Bait […]
Millsite Daily Double Lure The introductory variation of the Millsite Daily Double Lure is an ingenious antique fishing lure. The lure being able to be fished deep or shallow from the selection of which line tie the angler would attach affecting its depth. This example is the Floater variation of the famous lure, dated from 1941 […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing
Cornelia Fly Rod Crosby
Cornelia Fly Rod Crosby Cornelia Fly Rod Crosby was Born and raised in Philips Maine in 1854. Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby was a writer, fly fisher, hunter, and outdoor enthusiast who worked for the Maine Central Railroad promoting the sporting life in Maine at the turn of the century. She held the first Maine Guide […]
Joe Bob Crippled Critter Crawfish Lure The Joe Bob Crippled Critter Crawfish Lure was introduced around 1947. This antique fishing lure was made by the Joe Bob Manufacturing Company, out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The lure itself has been found in a few different variations. This unit is 4 1/8″ in length and is a […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Pflueger Lures
Enterprise Manufacturing Pflueger Fishing Tackle Plant
Enterprise Manufacturing Pflueger Fishing Tackle Plant This great Enterprise Manufacturing Pflueger Fishing Tackle Plant article comes to us from November 10th, 1900. The article found in the trade rag, Hardware; A Review of the American Hardware Market. The article discusses the growth and transition through acquisition of the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, Pflueger. Enterprise Manufacturing Pflueger Fishing […]
Hinkle Lizard Lure The Hinkle Lizard Lure is a neat miscellaneous antique fishing lure. Dating back to the 1940’s, some sources using 1946, others using 1949 as its date of origin. We do see that the patent was applied for in 1949 and not granted until 1952, knowing this we can easily deduce that it […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Scorpaena Volitans
Scorpaena Volitans The Scorpaena Volitans whose name is an indication of its seductive & deadly beauty. I love old color plates, and this plate is almost 2 centuries ago, published in 1833. Plates exhibit a lost art and craft akin to some of the subjects of focus itself. It’s habitat, the Coast of Ceylon, has […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Acanthurus Vittatus
Acanthurus Vittatus The Acanthurus Vittatus a name nearly as eloquent as its striped & colored beauty. This plate is almost 2 centuries ago, published in 1833. Plates exhibit a lost art and craft akin to some of the subjects of focus itself. It’s habitat, the Coast of Ceylon, has been since renamed a more familiar, […]
Heddon Tiny Punkin Spin Fishing Lure The Heddon Tiny Punkin Spin Fishing Lure was a short lived offshoot of the famous James Heddon Punkinseed line. This plastic fishing lure was first introduced in 1974 and was made through 1977 and given a model 382. This bottom fished sinking lure measures 1 5/8 inches in length […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Sparus Decussatus
Sparus Decussatus The Sparus Decussatus looks like it belongs off the movie Tron in it geometrical color-scape. I love old color plates, and this plate is almost 2 centuries ago, published in 1833. Plates exhibit a lost art and craft akin to some of the subjects of focus itself. It’s habitat, the Coast of Ceylon, […]
Heddon Chugger Jr Lure Before we talk about the Heddon Chugger Jr Lure let me tell you about my friend Andy Tindale. What does one thing have to do with the other, well a lot.Let start with a brief intro; Andy was born November 14, 1949 in Chicago to the former Harriette Ramsey and Thomas […]
Byron Chapman Photo This Byron Chapman Photo has been recently identified by the Historical arm of the Town of Theresa NY, specifically the Theresa Free Library. From its originally finding decades ago, this picture or photo was misidentified as antique fishing lure maker WD Chapman and his muskie catch off Indian River, in upstate NY. […]
Chapman Fishing Lure Bazaar This Chapman Fishing Lure Bazaar photo is truly a gem. A bazaar is a interesting name to use and is one of those words that been usurped and replaced by more familiar references of the American marketplace. If you asked what a Bazaar is technically many would actually draw towards its […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Chapman Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Chapman Lure Trading Cards
Chapman Lure Trading Cards Chapman Lure Trading Cards are some of my favorite things that go along with Antique Fishing Lures. I’ve got quite a collection of 19th Century Lure trading cards from other makers such as Henry Loftie, L&B Bait Company and John Mann. Back in the 1800’s companies used these as an early […]
Shakespeare Midget Oregon Fly Lure The Shakespeare Midget Oregon Fly lure was first introduced in the 1934 Shakespeare. A copy of the lure catalog ad by the Shakespeare Bait Company from Kalamazoo Michigan is shown below. I apologize for the quality but it was the best I could present. This small wooden antique fly lure […]
Shakespeare 7-11 Plopper Lure This Shakespeare 7-11 Plopper antique fishing lure has always been one of my favorite Shakespeare antique lures of its period. The antique lure itself was first introduced into the Shakespeare antique lure line up around 1927. The Plopper would become Shakespeare of Kalamazoo Michigan’s model series number 6511. This wooden, glass […]
Pflueger Mustang Minnow Heavy Duty Lure The Pflueger Mustang Minnow Heavy Duty Lure is the largest of the Mustang Minnow Lure series. This Pflueger of Akron Ohio antique fishing lure is a series model number 9500, and the color code is 46. This wooden, pressed eye, antique lure is 5″ in length. It dates from […]
Bagley Balsa Shiner Lure The Bagley Balsa Shiner Lure has always been a favorite of mine. Not exactly sure why, possibly because there were quite a few in my dads hoard of fishing tackle he left me when he passed. The Balsa Shiner would end up with two different names over its lifespan in the […]
Keeling Musky Expert Minnow Lure The Keeling Musky Expert Minnow Lure is a nice big lure and is Circa 1915. This large wooden Keeling antique lure measure 5″ in length. The Musky Expert minnow has 2 extra large type 2 double hooks on the sides and a single treble hook hanging from the rear screw […]
Leo Wise Jointed Wobbler Lure This is a Leo Wise Jointed Wobbler lure. This a product was made by Leo Wise out of Detroit, Michigan. This antique Leo Wise Lure is a multi segmented fishing lure measuring 4 5/8″ in length. The composition is wood, with the a typical Wise fine Splatter enamel paint finish. […]
Winnie Stump Dodger Lure The Winnie Stump Dodger Lure was born in Traverse City, Michigan. Albert Winnie received his patent for the Stump Dodger Lure in 1915. While the patent dates to 1915 his lures were being created earlier. It is no surprise that Traverse City would be home to a great lure maker. The […]
Shur Strike Injured Minnow Lure The Shur Strike Injured Minnow Lure was introduced in the early 1930’s. The antique fishing lure was given a series code IM. Unlike the Creek Chub of Garrett Indiana Injured Minnows, the Shur Strike antique fishing lure was produced with two treble hooks. The lure hooks used a standard type of […]
Fishing Tackle Consignments Fishing Tackle Consignments Service. Have lures, reels, rods or sporting items to sell? Let us help you. Yes we directly buy items for our collection too, but if you’d rather enlist our help to make sure you receive current market value, let me help by selling it for you. Have a collection […]
35 Steps to Quality 35 Steps to Quality, that was the Bagley difference. Difference in many things, good and bad some might suppose. While the Balsa Revolution had given way to plastic extrusion for some, the Bagley Lure Company double down on what made them what they were and would still be decades later, a […]
Heddon Crab Spook Lure The Heddon Crab spook was a short lived antique lure. This plastic crab shaped lure was first introduced in 1935 and was produced all the way through 1943. The Crab Spook was given a model series number 9900 & 9909. This classic vintage lure used 2 bead eyes, and flap rig […]
Heddon Gamefisher Lure This is a vintage Heddon Gamefisher antique fishing lure minnow, a model series 5500. This triple segmented, wooden, no eyed lure measures 4 3/4″, and weighs in at 3/4oz. The lure was first introduced in 1923 and made through 1933 just at a decade. The lure has L Rig Hook hangers and […]
VIM Insured Antique Fishing Line Spool From the John Etchieson Collection: Starting in the late 1920s the VIM company (est 1896) of Chicago Illinois, doing business as the United States Athletic Company, began selling their VIM brand “insured silk line” that was guaranteed to be replaced if it failed within a year of purchase. These […]
Vintage Mermaid Brand Antique Fishing Line Spool From the John Etchieson Collection: The MERMAID BRAND braided fishing lines, introduced about 100 years ago, were manufactured by the Newton Line Company of Homer New York (est. 1909) who advertised these high grade silk casting lines with the simple marketing slogan – “Mermaid bought – big ones […]
Shakespeare Floating Bait Lure Ad This Shakespeare Floating Bait Lure Ad comes to us from what I believe is a 1922 Shakespeare Lure Catalog. I say what I believe is, as it says Catalog #20 in it, and knowing Shakespeare printed its first catalog in 1902 Im just making the assumption. However, the lures in […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing
Brook Trout Fishing Currier and Ives
Brook Trout Fishing Currier and Ives This Brook Trout Fishing Currier and Ives is part of a series of lithographs I’ve always enjoyed. Currier and Ives created over 7500 different titled lithographs. They were made between 1834 to 1907. Some of their fly fishing and fishing series even appearing on calendars. The annals of American […]
Pepper 20th Century Minnow Lure The Pepper 20th Century Minnow Lure is really and neat minnow. Made by John Pepper of Rome New York. The early classic fishing lure is not given the credit its due this lure is its namesake and is the 20th Century, Circa 1900. This version is has the crude paint […]
Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Chapman Lures, Miscellaneous Lure Makers
WD Chapman 1888 Lure Maker Rochester NY
WD Chapman 1888 Lure Maker Rochester NY The WD Chapman 1888 Lure Maker Rochester NY business description below gives us great insight into WD Chapman the antique lure maker. Giving insight into its business structure and partners of the era ,and some of the relational Chapman antique lure stamping you may find. It also isn’t […]
South Bend Combination Minnow The South Bend Combination Minnow was an early lure and was first produced in 1912 and was given a model series number 931 / 932. Only three years after the legal formation of the company, the South Bend Bait Co released this a model series 1932. This fishing lure would last […]
Chippewa Lure Ad Field and Stream February 1913 This is a Chippewa Lure Ad Field and Stream February 1913. Field and Stream magazine never fails to provide great advertising for antique lures. The “CHIPPEWA” Bait The “CHIPPEWA” Bait is a combination of an artificial minnow with the most attractive of all lures the old SPOON […]
Jim Pfeffer King Shiner Lure The Jim Pfeffer King Shiner Lure is a beauty to hold and admire. This huge big game fish wooden lure, has painted eyes, a large single red hand painted sweeping gill mark. The Shiner series lures were known far and wide, and was certainly one of, if not the lure […]
Wilcox Wiggler Antique Lure Patent In this Wilcox Wiggler Antique Lure Patent we see what Charles M Wilcox of New Paris Ohio intended with his Wilcox Wiggler lure. Produced in 1907 filed for patent 1908. The Wilcox Wiggler has always been a tough lure to find, and a treasure to own for antique lure collectors. 923,095 […]
Heddon Ice Decoy Antique Lure This version of the Heddon Ice Decoy Antique Lure is distinguished by its 4 point fin shape. Not all antique lures are technically lures, but they are all attractants of some type. This wooden 4 point Heddon Decoy was given a series model 400. This Ice fishing decoy would be […]
Heddon Dowagiac Expert Lure Ad 1903 The is a Heddon Dowagiac Expert Lure Ad from 1903. Telling folks that finding any advertisements for early Heddon antique Lures is tough is an understatement. This has always been one of my favorite catalogs of mine to look through. Heddon having just begun to produce commercially in 1902 […]
Detroit Minnow Tube Antique Lure The Detroit Minnow Tube Antique Lure is a classic staple to most advanced lure collections. Circa 1914 this antique fishing lure used the premises to save from having to replace minnows all day long. I’ve never quite understood the thinking with a glass fishing lure. As even the earliest of tackle boxes […]
Michigan Life Like Minnow Ad This Michigan Life Like Minnow Ad was in the Field and Stream May 1909 magazine. “We here illustrate the Michigan life like minnow which during the brief time it has been in use has proven a killer for all sorts of game fish. The distinctive features are the jointed tail […]
Heddon Black Sucker Lure The Heddon Black Sucker Lure seem to be on most collectors want list and is often reffed to as the quintessential antique Heddon lure. This antique fishing lure is first seen around 1911, so its another over the century mark. Personally I can only hope to look this good after 100 […]
Heddon Antique Lure Ad 1904 This Heddon Antique Lure Ad was found in a 1904 VL&A Fishing Tackle Catalog showing the following antique lures. The Dowagiac Expert No. 1 The Dowagiac Minnow No. 1 1/2 The Dowagiac Underwater Expert No. 3 The Dowagiac Killer No. 5 What a great find early Heddon Adds are few […]
Heddon Midget Digit Spook Lure The Heddon Midget Digit Spook Lure was first introduced in 1948 and made all the way until 1976. Interesting tidbit, you will find this lure spelled both ways in catalogs, both Midgit & Midget are used. The lure was a continuation of Heddon’s very popular wooden line, and was given […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Holzwarth Expert Minnow Lure Ad 1901
Holzwarth Expert Minnow Lure This Holzwarth Expert Minnow Lure Ad dates to 1901 and was found in a Wisconsin Naturalist Magazine. Really a strange place to advertise the ad for his Expert Minnow lure so far away from Ohio. I say this as there is not much information out there about Holzwarth in general and […]
Schoonies Skooter Lure Ad This Schoonies Skooter Lure Ad was found in a 1916 Shakespeare antique lure catalog. The Skooter is a really neat antique lure. The lure itself is rather hard to come by so its neat we get to at see it in an ad. Schoonie’s “Skooter” A Surface Bait and a Perfect […]
Reuben Wood Forrest Stream In this Reuben Wood Forrest Stream article from 1896 Vol. 47 we see an account from Mr Fred Mather about fishing with Reuben Wood. One of my favorite pieces that Ill share from later is a 1897 catalog from his fishing tackle company, its a bit worse for wear on the […]
Thoren Minnow Chaser Lure The Thoren Minnow Chaser Lure was produced by its namesake A.H. Thoren. The antique lure was made in Chicago Illinois at 7407 Rhodes Ave. I’m not sure if they’ve ever pinned down a true start date. Some resources state 1928 and made by another manufacturer, Blake, of Casper, Wyoming. While others […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Pflueger Lures
Pflueger Muskellunge Minnow Ad 1904
Pflueger Muskellunge Minnow Ad This Pflueger Muskellunge Minnow Ad is brought to you from 1904. The Ad itself is out of the 1904 Pflueger or Enterprise manufacturing Company from Akron Ohio. I’ve always loved this giant lure and had wished I had kept my example of this giant rubber minnow. The ad is a really […]
Orchard Industries Bottom Scratcher Lure The Orchard Industries Bottom Scratcher Lure was first introduced in 1950. Orchard Industries of Detroit, Michigan made a small handful of Antique lures in the 1950. With a name that invokes a smile and is catchy it’s hard not to like this small lure. While it’s intent is to make […]