Nifty Minne Lure Minnow Tube
The Nifty Minne lure, Circa 1913 falls into the minnow tube lure category. I’ve always spelled the name of this antique lure wrong for years Ill admit it. Minnow lure constraint devices vary from tubes to cages to hooks and pins to hold in place the pray to provide the prey fish in theory the utmost realistic view of a bait fish lure, itself. They were made of materials ranging from leather, to wire to plastic and to glass. Each medium having their own setback or weak point. Take for instance the Detroit Minnow Tube lure, a favorite among antique lure collectors. This Detroit minnow tube lure was made of glass, great for viewing, horrible in practice, especially on the rocks or even in a tackle box, glass is never a good thing.
Joseph Ness of Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1913 created what he thought would be an excellent contribution and improvement for a minnow tube, and used a celluloid center. The lure had 5 trailing treble hooks akin to most underwater casting minnow lures and marked front props. The lure came in whats called a picture box, showing a rendering of the antique lure. The lure itself never really took off as far as bass or musky fisherman were concerned, I’m guessing due to the unstable celluloid after it had faced hot and cold environments would crack and break as well. In saying that this lure was never popular with fisherman, it is a very popular lure with antique fishing lure collectors.
A very rare seldom seen paper insert states “Caution! Be Sure to see that tail cap is closed reasonably tight after placing Live Minnow. There is no Danger in the tail cap coming loose if this suggestion is complied with as the rear spinner revolves with connecting thread. Note Hooks are interchangeable by unfastening nuts in the upper end of the bait thus permitting rods to slip out and replacing any hook desired. For any further information or details don’t hesitate to communicate with the undersigned and they will be cheerfully furnished. Jos M Ness Co.” Here is a collection of Nifty Minnow ads.
Nifty Minne Minnow Tube Lure Gallery