Shakespeare Lures
Shakespeare Lures and the Shakespeare lure company got its start in the 1890’s. Its first patent in 1987 was a patent for a level wind reel and not a lure. William Shakespeare Jr. was the son of a banker, who’s schooling was more rooted in finance than fishing tackle. In 1905 they acquired the rights to the Rhodes patents, which included the uncles Famous Perfect Casting minnow and his access to the Mechanical frog lure.
The early pre-teens Shakespeare lure catalogs contained very few lures a less than a dozen at most. The company would like other use different materials to make the lures. The Shakespeare Revolution, and Floating Spinner lure line would be made of metal, the Rhodes Frog, Weedless Frog Lure, and Evolution using rubber. With the Under water Minnows, Kazoo and Surface wonder being made of wood. A lot of the earliest Shakespeare lures are found in a black picture box made specifically for that Shakespeare lure.
The Teens would be predominately covered with different shapes and sizes of underwater or floating wooden minnow Shakespeare lures. They would too, supply the jobber market with their unmarked lures and or boxes to be marketed under different names other than their own. In the 20’s and 30’s we would see a refresh and expansion of the lure line up and like Pflueger concentrate more heavily on its Shakespeare Reel line up. Some of the new lures added would be a cheaper line up of its own in the Jim Dandy series and lure s like the Mouse, Kazoo, Wobbler, Tantalizer, and 7-11 Plopper Shakespeare Lures. Those years as with the other antique lure manufactures, see the end of the glass eyed lure era. With the emergence of plastics into the industry and as companies cut cost and faced product shortages and loss of revenue due to outside factors such as the great depression.
The 40s would see more of the same drastic changes up until the 50’s. The Shakespeare lure Company was purchased by the Creek Chub Bait Company in 1952. This would then end its American made production and later all lures would come from outside the United States. Over the next 30 years the great American Fishing Tackle industry would fall prey to itself and in keeping up with the times you will see a great consolidation of all the major players.
Shakespeare Lure Company Articles
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 [...]
Read MoreMar
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 [...]
Read MoreFeb
Shakespeare Jerkin Lure
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 [...]
Read MoreFeb
Shakespeare 43 Underwater Minnow Lure
Shakespeare 43 Underwater Minnow Lure The Shakespeare 43 Underwater Minnow Lure is one of my favorite Shakespeare antique lures. This lure is very similar to the Heddon 175 Heavy Casting Minnow lure. The lure is a 3T or 3 Hook underwater minnow made of wood with glass eyes to props [...]
Read MoreDec
Shakespeare Kingfish Wobbler Lure
Shakespeare Kingfish Wobbler Lure The Shakespeare Kingfish Wobbler Lure is a series model number 6535. The antique fishing lure is Circa late 1930s to 1940 for a time frame. The Kingfish Wobbler minnow is 5″ in length made of wood and has pressed painted eyes. The lure has a distinctive [...]
Read MoreDec
Rhodes Mechanical Frog in Wood Box
Rhodes Mechanical Frog The Rhodes Mechanical Frog lure in the correct wooden box combines 2 different things that antique lure collectors get excited about. First off, a wood box lure, who doesn’t like just the sound of that. This antique lure box shows the printed images clearly, and shows the [...]
Read MoreDec
Shakespeare Nu Crip Minnow
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 [...]
Read MoreDec
Shakespeare Midget Oregon Fly Lure
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 [...]
Read MoreNov
Shakespeare 7-11 Plopper Lure in Frog Spot
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 [...]
Read MoreNov
Shakespeare Floating Bait Lure Ad 1922
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 [...]
Read MoreOct
Shakespeare Kazoo Minnow Lure Ad 1907
Shakespeare Kazoo Minnow Lure Ad Here’s is Shakespeare Kazoo Minnow Lure Ad from 1907. These ads were for the Shakespeare Kazoo Minnow, an economy minnow for their line up. Very similar to fellow lure make giant Pflueger’s Competitor Minnows. Shakespeare advertises the different minnow quality variations in the 1907 catalog. [...]
Read MoreOct
Shakespeare 1740 HE Tournament Casting Reel
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 [...]
Read MoreJan
Shakespeare Mermaid Lure
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 [...]
Read MoreNov
Shakespeare Fly Rod Mouse Lure
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 [...]
Read MoreMar
Mr. Shakespeare Goes to Washington
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, [...]
Read MoreMar
Shakespeare Waukazoo Surface Lure
Shakespeare Waukazoo Surface Lure The Shakespeare Waukazoo Surface Lure was released somewhere in the late 1920’s. This unique bulbous or light bulb shaped wooden antique fishing lure was a model number 6555. Shakespeare of Kalamazoo Michigan only made this fishing lure for less than a half a dozen years and [...]
Read MoreJan
Early Shakespeare Antique Lure & Reel Rod Catalogs
Early Shakespeare Antique Lure & Reel Rod Catalogs Here is a great little glimpse back in time to the earliest Shakespeare Lure, Rod & Reel catalogs. This not only gives us an idea of the items but what the company was focused on in the early days. These are rare [...]
Read MoreAug
Shakespeare Sportcast 1973D Model FE
Shakespeare Sportcast 1973D Model FE Shown is a Shakespeare 1973D Sportcast Model FE, bait casting reel. This vintage bait caster features a direct drive and is a level wind reel. The reel is a narrow spool holds 50 yards of 12 1/2lb test. Made in a green anodized aluminum frame [...]
Read MoreSep
Shakespeare 1756 Surf Tournament Model 32
Shakespeare 1756 Surf Tournament Model 32 The beuty of a reel is a Shakespeare 1756 Surf Tournament Model 32. This is a Very Very Hard to Find reel. This is a special reel and was made with a special purpose. Taken from Reel Talk: This extra capacity tournament reel has [...]
Read MoreSep
Shakespeare Floating Bait Lure
Shakespeare Floating Bait Lure The Shakespeare Floating Bait Lure was first advertised in 1908. The lure was Shakespeare of Kalamazoo Michigan model series number 41. This wooden glass eyed antique lure measures 3 1/4″ inches in length. The Floating Bait lure shape would wide at the top rounded edge tapering [...]
Read MoreAug
Shakespeare Evolution Lure
Shakespeare Evolution Lure The Shakespeare Evolution Lure was one of Shakespeare’s earliest lures being first introduced in in 1902. There were a few versions of the lure which also corresponded to a few different length measurements. Shakespeare in their first catalog made its lures almost out of opposing or different [...]
Read MoreJan
Shakespeare Bait Company Baseball Team
Shakespeare Bait Company Baseball Team Many people are not aware of a Shakespeare Bait Company Baseball Team and a Antique Fishing Lure company relationship. Well its true, there is a tie in between Americas Favorite Past Times, Baseball and Fishing. Many years ago in doing my research for the Old [...]
Read MoreOct
Shakespeare Strike It Minnow Lure
Shakespeare Strike It The Shakespeare Strike It minnow was made in 1930. This antique lure is a wooden glass eye jointed minnow. The lure having 2 segments with 2 treble hooks one attached to each side. The rear of the Strike antique lure is usually held on with the ball [...]
Read MoreSep
Tight Lines Tuesday Shakespeare Cadillac
Tight Lines Tuesday Shakespeare Cadillac by John Etchieson 87 years ago in 1930 the Shakespeare Tackle Company introduced a very high quality enameled “Super Silk” fly line for trout fishing that they called the CADILLAC brand. This new fly line came packaged inside of an orange cardboard box with a [...]
Read MoreSep
Shakespeare Jacksmith Antique Lure
Shakespeare Jacksmith Lure The Shakespeare Jacksmith lure was Series 6561. The wooden, pressed eye lure was first introduced in the 1930’s by the Shakespeare Bait Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan. This antique fishing lure measures 4 1/8″ in length. It features 3 standard size treble hooks, the rear of which is [...]
Read MoreAug
Rhodes Perfect Casting Minnow
Rhodes Perfect Casting Minnow The Rhodes Perfect Casting Minnow is certainly a beauty to behold. It has all the qualities of a classic fishing lure. This wooden antique lure was produced in two different models a 3″, 3 Hook and a 4″ 5 Hook minnow. I was reading a 1904 [...]
Read MoreJun
Shakespeare Tarpalunge Lure
Shakespeare Tarpalunge Lure This Shakespeare Tarpalunge antique fishing lure is a model #6640. This jointed, wooden antique Shakespeare lure is circa 1930 and has two very large single hooks. This antique Shakespeare salt water fishing lure measures in at 5 3/4 inches in length. The lure was touted to hold over [...]
Read MoreApr
Shakespeare Antique Lure Ad 1906
Shakespeare Antique Lure Ad 1906 This Shakespeare Antique lure Ad 1906 was taken from “The Evening Star” newspaper and shows us the New addition of the Rhodes Mechanical Swimming Frog to its Artificial bait arsenal. The ad illustrates the Shakespeare Revolution, The Shakespeare Wooden Minnow and the Rhodes Mechanical Swimming Frog. [...]
Read MoreOct
Shakespeare Sure Lure
Shakespeare Sure Lure The Shakespeare Sure Lure was one of the companies first and primary baits. The Sure lure was introduced in 1902. This antique fishing lure was comprised of a molded rubber composite. The antique lure made by the Shakespeare Bait Company from Kalamazoo, Michigan measures 2 3/4 in [...]
Read MoreSep
Shakespeare Bait Company Service Ring
Shakespeare Bait Company Service Ring This Shakespeare Bait Company Service Ring is a great example of one of those add on pieces we can all add to our collection. The fringe pieces that say have no reel (bad Pun) place on any shelf but can add depth and novelty to [...]
Read MoreAug
Shakespeare Rhodes Torpedo Lure
Shakespeare Rhodes Torpedo Lure This Shakespeare Rhodes Torpedo Lure was first introduced in 1934. This antique fishing lure made by the Shakespeare Bait Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan. They assigned it a model series number 6540. This wooden pressed eye lure is essentially as Shakespeare 33 underwater minnow lure. This wooden [...]
Read MoreAug
Shakespeare Musky Trolling Minnow Lure
Shakespeare Musky Trolling Minnow Lure The Shakespeare Musky Trolling Minnow Lure was first introduced around 1924. This model 972 made by the Shakespeare Bait Company, of Kalamazoo, Michigan measures 5″ in length. This antique spinning lure came with a front fluted spinner attached to the shaft of the rig. The [...]
Read MoreAug
Shakespeare Worden Bucktail Yellow Spot
Shakespeare Worden Bucktail Yellow Spot The Shakespeare Worden Bucktail Yellow Spot lure is quite a beauty. I did a post prior on the earliest version of Worden Bucktail Spinner lures, however I thought Id add this asa well to show a different version. This version of the antique lure is a later [...]
Read MoreAug
Shakespeare Sardinia Salt Water Minnow
Shakespeare Sardinia Salt Water Minnow Lure The Shakespeare Sardinia Salt Water Minnow Lure was first introduced in 1925. This antique fishing lure made by the Shakespeare Bait Company of Kalamazoo Michigan was a series number 721. This wooden minnow was another in Shakespeare’s attempts to create a Salt Water bait [...]
Read MoreJul
Shakespeare Kazoo Minnow Lure
Shakespeare Kazoo Minnow Lure The Shakespeare Kazoo Minnow Lure was introduced around the mid 00’s. The lure appears in the 1907 Shakespeare Antique Fishing Lure catalog. The lure was given a series number 33 as it was for most of its standard 3 hook minnow lures. The Kazoo, is one [...]
Read MoreJul
Shakespeare Musky Revolution Lure
Shakespeare Musky Revolution Lure The Shakespeare Musky Revolution Lure is part of the foundation of the antique fishing lure company. This lure was available in 1902 and was advertised in the early Shakespeare of Kalamazoo catalogs such as “The Art of Bait Casting”, “How to Catch Bass”, and “Finer Points [...]
Read MoreJul
Shakespeare Jim Dandy Spoonbill Wobbler Lure
Shakespeare Jim Dandy Spoonbill Wobbler Lure The Shakespeare Jim Dandy Spoonbill Wobbler Lure was introduced around 1930. This antique fishing lure was Shakespeare’s lower end line up which was labeled under the Jim Dandy name. The Spoonbill Wobbler fishing lure used a large wooden lip instead of a traditional metal [...]
Read MoreJun
Shakespeare Striped Bass Wobbler Lure
Shakespeare Striped Bass Wobbler Lure The Shakespeare Striped Bass Wobbler Lure was first introduced in 1940. The lure was very short lived, and from what I can see never was actually in the Shakespeare Reel and Fishing Lure Catalog. This wooden antique fishing lure measures in at 6″ in length. [...]
Read MoreJun
Shakespeare Tantalizer Jr Lure
Shakespeare Tantalizer Jr Lure The Shakespeare Tantalizer Jr Lure was first introduced in 1940. The Shakespeare Bait Company From Kalamazoo, Michigan assigned it, Model series number 6638. This antique fishing lure is wooden, only ever came with painted pressed eyes and measures in at 3 5/8″ inches in length. This [...]
Read MoreJun
Shakespeare Sea Witch Lure
Shakespeare Sea Witch Lure The Shakespeare Sea Witch Lure was introduced in the antique lure catalogs in 1928. This lure made by the Shakespeare bait company of Kalamazoo Michigan was a model series number 133. This wooden fishing lure measures 3 3/4″ inches in length. If you will notice this [...]
Read MoreJun
Shakespeare Fisher Bait Lure
Shakespeare Fisher Bait Lure The Shakespeare Fisher Bait Lure was first introduced in 1940. The Shakespeare Bait Company from Kalamazoo Michigan gave this lure the model series number 6509. This wooden fishing fishing lure measures in at 3 3/4″ in length. This lure kinda stays within the same theme we [...]
Read MoreJun
Shakespeare Darting Shrimp Lure
Shakespeare Darting Shrimp Lure The Shakespeare Darting Shrimp Lure is a series 6535. This antique wooden lure was first introduced by the Shakespeare Bait Company of Kalamazoo around 1925. This antique fishing lure was a multi segmented wooden fishing lure that measured 4 1/4″ in length. The lure had some [...]
Read MoreMay
Shakespeare Floating Spinner Lure
Shakespeare Floating Spinner Lure The Shakespeare Floating Spinner Lure came along in the Shakespeare lure catalog in around 1910. The antique lure was given a model series number 35 and 45 by the Shakespeare Bait Company of Kalamazoo Michigan. The model numbers were based on size of the lure, the smaller being [...]
Read MoreMay
Shakespeare Kazoo Wobbler Lure
Shakespeare Kazoo Wobbler Lure The Shakespeare Kazoo Wobbler Lure is seen first around 1928. This wooden, glass eyed, antique lure is Shakespeare’s series number 6637. This Kalamazoo Michigan lure is 4″ in length and features a curved or slanted face. The lure has two belly hooks one off center and [...]
Read MoreApr
Shakespeare Hydroplane Jr Lure
Shakespeare Hydroplane Jr Lure The Shakespeare Hydroplane Jr Lure was a short lived lure by most standards, only haven been offered for roughly 5 years. The antique lure was a series 709, and was thought first appeared in 1920. I have recently uncovered an article talking about it from Recreation [...]
Read MoreApr
Shakespeare Barnacle Bill Lure
Shakespeare Barnacle Bill Lure The Shakespeare Barnacle Bill Lure is a really cool lure. This lure is a series model 6529, and was first introduced in 1931. The antique lure is made for salt water fishing, thus having a heavy duty forward line tie that runs the length of the [...]
Read MoreApr
Shakespeare Worden Bucktail Revolution Lure
Shakespeare Worden Bucktail Revolution This item the Shakespeare Worden Bucktail Revolution lure is part of one of the sets of metal lures that are iconic foundation Shakespeare lures. The Revolution lures in line symbolizes early Shakespeare. Circa 1903, this is the earlier model. You can tell by the rounded aft [...]
Read MoreMar
Shakespeare Pop I Lure
Shakespeare Pop I Lure The Shakespeare Pop I lure was a series model number 6574, and created by the Shakespeare Bait Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan. This painted eye, wooden lure, was Shakespeare’s answer to a segment of fisherman wanting to emulate one of natures greatest food supplies for sports fish, [...]
Read MoreMar
New Winner Wood Minnow Lure
New Winner Wood Minnow The New Winner Wood Minnow was a product offered by Sears Roebuck and Company. This beautiful example is housed in a standard wood box with a railed or channeled slide type. Through out the fishing industry we see once again wholesalers, and jobbers, taking the product [...]
Read MoreMar