Pflueger Buckeye Bait Casting Reel This Pflueger Buckeye Bait Casting Reel is more than 100 year old, dating to the mid teens, 1916 I believe. This antique fishing reel is a great example, and is made of a polished nickle or “Silveroid” with smooth jeweled end caps. This vintage reel was made by the Pflueger […]
Category Archives: Antique Lures
Staley Johnson Twin Min Lure The Staley Johnson Twin Min Lure was first introduced in 1947. This wooden, painted, antique lure was made to give the impression of a school of fish by having two lures attached. The fishing lure had dual wooden bodies affixed to a metal frame underneath with 3 smaller treble hooks […]
Shakespeare 1740 HE Tournament Casting Reel This is a Shakespeare Model 1740 HE Tournament Casting Reel. This reel is probably one of the nicest smooth spinning reels I’ve had the pleasure of holding and selling. The reel dates to the mid 1920’s, has whats referred to as a narrow free spinning . The end caps […]
Al Foss Bass Pop The Al Foss Bass Pop, really is a True Temper / American Fork and Hoe Company, from Geneva Ohio. The Bass Pop antique lure is often found by itself and was first produced in 1941. The wooden glass eyed hair tailed Frog Trailer turns it from boring to exceptional. We have […]
Heddon Dummy Double Lure The Heddon Dummy Double Lure is a antique lure collector favorite. This classic vintage fishing lure designed by James Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan is a model 1500. This clean and nice condition 3″ wooden lure was first introduced in 1913 and made into the 1920’s. This example has the a typical […]
Hi Yo Lure The Hi Yo lure is a lure that give a fisherman or collectors great pause. Stopping for a minute to think what in heavens were they thinking. The antique lure is Circa 1947, this was a time when we see a increase or influx of fisherman in the US. The years following the great […]
Captor Frog Antique Fishing Lure A very cool Captor Frog Antique Fishing Lure is a very neat piece. Another example is shown in Don Wheelers frog book on page 65. To my knowledge this one, and the one that sold at Lags in 2006 in Dons book, are a couple of the only known examples. […]
Heddon River Runt Go Deeper Scoop Lip This is a Heddon River Runt Go Deeper Scoop Lip Lure. This River Runt spook lure is from the Go Deeper Series, a model series D9110 having the highly collectible Scoop Lip. The scoop lip was made on this series of lures between the years 1939 and 1949. […]
Heddon 00 Lure The Heddon 00 Lure is a 5 sided or flat sided underwater minnow fishing lure. The Dowagiac 00 is a wooden, glass eye 5 hook lure which first came in around 1915, making it one of the many classic Heddon antique lures that came out of the teen years and is over […]
Keeling Surface Tom Lure The Keeling Surface Tom Lure was first introduced in 1920. This wooden antique fishing lure was 3 1/4″ in length. The lure came with forward setting glass eyes, a line tie under the chin but atop the diving lip part of the sled. The antique keeling lure is what I believe […]
Heddon Craw Shrimp Lure The Heddon Craw Shrimp Lure was a short lived antique fishing lure. The plastic or spook lure made by Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan was first introduced in 1969. This classic fishing lure was given a model series 375. It was present in the 1969 and 1970 catalog and then quietly disappeared […]
Shur Strike Small Dude Lure The Shur Strike Small Dude Lure was first released around 1941. The Creek Chub Bait Company under the Shur Strike Bait Companies name in Garrett Indiana produced this small wooden lure measuring just a hair over 1 3/4″ in length. With a name like “Small Dude” you know it has […]
Shur Strike Gar Minnow Lure This Shur Strike Gar Minnow Lure was a series GM and was first introduced in 1936, it skipped a few years and was back in production from 1939 through 1941. The Creek Chub Bait Company like the other antique lure makers branched out its normal lure line up and created […]
Heddon Midget Crab Wiggler Lure The Heddon Midget Crab Wiggler Lure was first introduced in 1921, by James Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan. This wooden, glass eyed minnow would be the smallest lure produced in the fisherman favorite Crab Wiggler line up or series of baits. While the lure was created in 1921 it would only […]
Shur Strike Bass Oreno Lure The Shur Strike Bass Oreno Lure was first introduced in 1932. This style “C” shown was the first version, which would only have a front non descript prop instead of both a front and rear that the later would adorn. Shur Strike lures as we’ve covered in the past were […]
Creek Chub Champ Lure The Creek Chub Champ Lure was first introduced in 1936. This antique metal lure was Creek Chub of Garrett Indiana model series number S30. The model number end would change to match the color of the lure for example a green scale one would be S39. This odd metal lure only […]
Creek Chub Crawdad Antique Lure The Creek Chub Crawdad Antique Lure was a model series number 300. This lure made by the Creek Chub Bait Company of Garrett Indiana was first introduced in 1917 as “The Wiggler”. Hence after 1920 the name would change to the Crawdad and would be so until the end of […]
Pfeffer Cast Top Antique Lure The Pfeffer Cast Top Antique Lure is said it can be compared to the Shiner Lure series in overall sales. The Cast Top came in a multitude of sizes to meet the needs of most fishermen. The two sizes shown on this page are the the Rare 3 1/2″, which […]
Shakespeare Mermaid Lure The Shakespeare Mermaid Lure was first introduced around 1915. The lure was Shakespeare Bait Company of Kalamazoo series numbers 582 and 583. This wooden, no eyed fishing lure however did not start its life with the Shakespeare Bait Company. The lure was made by Thomas McCormic who just happened to also resided […]
Winchester 3 Hook Minnow Antique Lure This Winchester 3 Hook Minnow Antique Lure is a great example of a great bait from the bygone era. Dating back over a century to roughly 1919, Winchester began to sell fishing tackle for over a decade. The lures themselves, not lasting as long as the rods and reels. […]
George Fenner Weedless Automatic Bait Lure George Fenner Weedless Automatic Bait Lure was first introduced in to the market in 1925. A year later in 1926 his patent, 1571770 would be granted. This small spring hook type bait has been dubbed the WAB for short, or Weedless Automatic Bait. George Fenner and the Weedless Automatic […]
Creek Chub Midget Beetle Lure The Creek Chub Midget Beetle Lure was first produced in 1939. The classic Creek Chub made in Garrett Indiana was a model number 6000. The Baby Beetle lure is exactly the same as its bigger brother except the antique fishing lure was only 2″ in length. This wooden lure was […]
South Bend Sun Spot Spoon Lure The South Bend Sun Spot Spoon Lure was first introduced in 1941. The Sun Spot Spoon however was not a South Bend origional lure. However when brought into the lure fold it was assigned model number 525. The South Bend Sun Spot was named in part due to its […]
Heddon Top Sonic Lure The Heddon Top Sonic Lure was a Heddon Dowagiac Series number 300. This antique lure was made from 1966 to 1969, so it was a short run in comparison to some of its other sonic lure brothers. The Top Sonic fishing lure features a tail and a tiny dorsal fin the […]
Shur Strike Underwater Minnow Lure The Shur Strike Underwater Minnow Lure is Circa late 1930’s. The three hook underwater antique lure was not a cataloged option and is highly sought after. This wooden, glass eyed, antique minnow measures 3 1/8″ in length. The lure was produced with only a single floppy prop, unlike the Heddon 3 […]
Howard Jet Plug Swimmer Lure This is a Howard Jet Plug Swimmer Lure. This antique fishing lure was a creation if Howard Ladig. Ladig, was a partner in the J&H Tackle company with John Gamsby. This giant surf casting striper lure was made in Wrentham, Massachusetts. Measuring in at 6″ in length and made of […]
Curv A Lure Vintage Fishing Lure The Curv A Lure Vintage Fishing Lure is reported as being first introduced to the fishing world sometime in 1950, its patent shows it was applied for in 1946. Shown below, the patent was finally granted in January of 1951 almost 6 years later (Must have had a pretty good […]
South Bend Panetlla Minnow The South Bend Panetlla Minnow was first introduced in 1912. For three decades this lure a model series 913 was present in the South Bend Bait Company lure catalogs of South Bend, Indiana. I don’t think this lure is given the credit it deserves for its longevity and place along side […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Antique Fishing Photo Sam Wallace CDV
Antique Fishing Photo Sam Wallace CDV This a great Antique Fishing Photo Sam Wallace CDV. CDV or Carte De Viste is a photography format or medium like we a few have discussed before with Samuel Tisdale the Black bass Man. The Carte De Viste CDV was invented and patented by France by photographer André Adolphe […]
Heddon Wood River Runtie Fly Lure The Heddon Wood River Runtie Fly Lure was first introduced in 1937. Made by Heddon in Dowagiac Michigan this antique fly rod lure was given a series 750. The 1930’s was a time of transition for the America, and the fishing lure industry. In the early part of the […]
Shakespeare Fly Rod Mouse Lure Shakespeare Fly Rod Mouse Lure, or the Swimming Mouse as its referred to sometimes was introduced around the late 1930’s or early 1940’s. The Shakespeare Company of Kalamazoo Michigan labeled it as new in the 1940 antique lure catalog, but Ive learned that sometimes print doesn’t change from year to […]
Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Louis Rhead Fishing From Dreamland Pier
Louis Rhead Fishing From Dreamland Pier This News article, Louis Rhead Fishing From Dreamland Pier comes from the Brooklyn Star Circa 1908. We get a chance to see Louis Rhead’s art as well as his Penmanship. I think we as lure collectors forget that sometimes he just wasn’t the fly rod lure maker extraordinaire, but that […]
Ultra Casting Lines Lures & Reels Ultra Casting Lines Lures & Reels; The fancy cursive script font of the ULTRA CASTING brand is from the first quarter of the 20th century and is both distinctive and a highly sought after brand name by collectors of antique fishing tackle. The ULTRA CASTING brand was introduced about […]
Dunks Chipmunk Antique Lure The Dunks Chipmunk Antique Lure comes from a company whose lure history dates back into the early 1920’s. The Dunks Chipmunk lure lands on the opposite side of the time line dating to the late 1930’s early 1940’s. We’ve seen many lure makers over time try to mimic that what nature […]
Heddon Waltonian No31 AB Reel The Heddon Waltonian No31 AB Reel was first introduced around 1927. Made in Dowagiac Michigan by James Heddons Sons, the Heddon NO.31 AB “WALTONIAN” Casting reel was produced. The level wind reel themselves made are of lightweight aluminum. The casting reels were first introduced by James Heddon’s Sons in their […]
Shur Strike Pike Lure This version Shur Strike Pike Lure was first introduced around 1933 – 1936. This antique lure creation a extension of the Creek Chub Bait Company under the Shur Strike name. The Pike was essentially a similar design of the Creek Chub Pikie minnow that had gained worldwide popularity by this point. […]
Creek Chub Castrola Lure The Creek Chub Castrola Lure is a lure that I’ve always wondered its namesake origin. The lure was given a model series number 3100 by the Creek Chub Bait Company of Garrett Indiana. I’ve never figured out why and when looking it up it appears it may be a surname or […]
South Bend Callmac Fly Bug The South Bend Callmac Fly Bug was a series model number 860. The South Bend Bait Company of South Bend Indiana made this Antique Fly Rod Lure was made for over two decades. The lure was first produced beginning in 1921 and ending in or around 1942, you’ll note that […]
Heddon Water Wave River Runt Lure The Heddon Water Wave River Runt Lure was introduced in 1938. This antique Heddon lure made in Dowagiac, Michigan was given a Model E9400 for the Floater and a E9110 for the Sinker. Sown below are both version of the iconic Heddon lure. This lure was born of an […]
Clinton Little Wonder Lure The Clinton Little Wonder Lure is one of my favorites. This “Barber Pole” style lure was made by The Clinton Wilt Manufacturing Company out of Springfield Missouri. While patented in 1913, I believe the antique lure to have been around a few years preceding it based on the magazine articles available. […]
Tempter Frog Antique Lure The Tempter Frog Antique Lure is always a fun lure to find. The antique fly eater was made around 1930 and comes from a place we don’t see a lot of lure manufacturers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its namesake being the name of the company, The Tempter Bait Company located at 707 Forbes […]
Donaly Redfin Minnow Lure The Donaly Redfin Minnow Lure is one of those pre 1920’s lures that’s a treasure to hold or own. The lure was made in 1911 with some indications that it may have been earlier. That makes this wooden glass eyed antique lure over a century old. I only hope I can […]
Creek Chub Giant Jointed Pikie Lure The Creek Chub Giant Jointed Pikie Lure was first introduced in 1957. This giant behemoth of a fishing lure was Creek Chub, of Garrett, Indiana’s largest production fishing lure. The antique fishing lure was assign a model series 800. Truth be told this thing is larger than most fish […]
Heddon Giant River Runt Lure The Heddon Giant River Runt Lure was made for Salmon, Musky and Pike. The shape is what appears to have been just the front end of Giant Vamp is now a Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan Series number 7510. The antique lure was first found around 1939, as Heddon seemed to […]
Pflueger May Bug Lure The Pflueger May Bug Lure was introduced in the late 1880’s. The May Bug is one of the early quintessential Pflueger, or Enterprise Manufacturing Company Lure made in Akron Ohio. The lure was produced for around 3 decades or thirty years until 1916. The May Bug was made to be fished […]
Mr. Shakespeare Goes to Washington Mr. Shakespeare Goes to Washington; When your name is William Shakespeare, you are definitely in for a lot of grief. Certainly this was true for William Shakespeare Jr. of Kalamazoo, Michigan—if he had a nickel for every time someone made a pun using his name, it is certain he would […]
Donaly Redfin Weedless Lure This Donaly Redfin Weedless Lure dates to the mid to early teens. Jim Donaly would bestow his creations on the American fishing tackle company through the 1920’s. While he would cease to produce lures in the 1930’s his antique lures would live on through James Heddon for decades to come.The weedless […]
Muk-Choc-Ko-Frog Antique Lure The Muk-Choc-Ko-Frog Antique Lure has always garnered the eye of lots of collectors. Shown below is a group lot or set of 5 Muk-Choc-Ko-Frog antique lures. The lures were a series of wooden, frog shaped, painted eye, weedless lineup made by the Hub Bait Company of Beaverdam, Wisconsin. The lure could be […]
Creek Chub Midget Darter The Creek Chub Midget Darter was given a model series 8000. This Jr version of the widely popular full size Creek Chub Bait Company Darter, the model series 2000, was first introduced in 1938. The lure like its top water brethren would span decades and last until 1978. This painted eye […]
Tuway Bait Company Wobbler The Tuway Bait Company Wobbler antique fishing lure dates to the late 1940’s early 1950’s. The Tuway fishing tackle company was located in Berkeley California at 1479 10th Street. Applying for a trademark application for the Tuway name in 1949, they claim to have been in business or doing business since […]