Patented in 1909 and sold for the first year or two in a wonderful black pasteboard box, the Howes Vacuum Bass Bait made in Manchester, Indiana, is an early classic. Its unmarked body measures about 3 inches. But in the collecting world, wooden lures are the most desirable. This period of time in later years became known as the "Golden Age of Surf Fishing," it lasted until the early 1960's. It features dark glass eyes, and a dark green spatter finish back which blends to white sides and belly. Have any saltwater lures for sale or trade? Free shipping for many products! Classics include Hopkins and Acme. I amalways looking for lures or boxes manufactured by the companies and individuals listed below for thecollection. We polled our staff and reached out to some of the best fishing tackle experts in the game to create this list and you wont be disappointed with the results. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Check out our vintage saltwater fishing selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. The next time you find an old fishing lurewhether it's in a forgotten tackle box or on the bottom of your favorite lakedon't throw it away. The country was being thrown into the turmoil of World War II and saltwaterfishinghad taken a back seat. Predators all over the world, in all depths, find flutter jigs, vertical jigs, speed jigs, slow jigs and other types of metal jigs irresistible. They are typically the simplest kind of lure to make since you don't have to worry about getting them to sink to a certain depth. It also features a treble hook and original Chapman swivel. Its tall, handsome picture box is an added plus. The freshwater lures are tested on the inland waters of . In Loving Memory Tom Clayton RIP 1952-2019 How I began collecting Antique Saltwater Fishing Lures (Story written by Tom Clayton circa 2016) This 4007 Tarpon Pikie is a fantastic example of this bait despite having some minor wear to it. Next time you see a bunch of dusty old tackle boxes at the antique shop, take the time to flip through them. Sponsored. The Thoren Minnow Chaser was an elaborate bait made by A.H. Thoren of Chicago around 1940. Like most lures these days, modern Jitterbugs are hollow and made of molded plastic. For many decades, the Creek Chub Wigglefish was marketed as the bait that was used by George W. Perry to land the 22-pound, 4-ounce world record largemouth bass caught in Georgia in 1932. The Website you are about to enter is about "Striped Bass" and the, "Saltwater Lures" that were used to pursue them during the 1940's-1960's. Check back later. It is in Ex- condition. Sometimes, fishing lures that are only a few decades old can be considered antique. Wonderods came in a wide variety of lengths, weights, and eye-catching colorslike seafoam green, yellow, and orangethat wed now call retro.. Most striped bass fishermen at this time believed the fish were. These saltwater lures can be rigged with a natural bait or left bare. Get out your best bottle of cabernet, dim the lights and push that Mozart CD. The second is aluminum, and features a dark green back that blends to yellow sides, and a white belly. Whether youre fishing inshore or offshore, you want to make sure youre casting with the best saltwater fishing lures available. A new era in surf fishing had begun. The war effort also made materials such as hooks, wire, etc. From jigs to the best topwater lures for saltwater fishing, youll be hard-pressed to find a more in-depth list of top fishing lures. This simple lure is an uncatalogued serpent spinner. ~ Antique Saltwater Lures;A Brief History ~, At the turn of the century in New England, there were a very limited number of saltwater surf fishermen. Artificial shrimp lures are fish-catchers if you work the baits slowly near the bottom. It is the smallest of the three models made at the time. Poor color and/or major chipping, R (Repaint) Original paint covered in part or all. Tom Clayton fishin' Harnell Rods and catchin' Big Bass. In decades past, quality, well-made tackle was also affordable. Log in to get the full Facebook Marketplace Experience. It comes with two extraordinary minnows. Best Noisy Striper Topwater Lure: Nomad Tackle Design Chug Norris. Although Joesph passed away in 1943, the company stayed in business for many years, finally closing it's doors for good in the 1980's. The Martin Lure Co. is best known for their salmon plugs; they were without a doubt this countries largest producer. Top water jerk baits are tailor-made for this type of retrieve. Check out the product categories in our main menu for a full list of available saltwater fishing gear like saltwater fishing rods, striped bass, fishing tackle, and more. The tan crab lure has 8 rubber legs and 2 giant black glass eyes. and Hogy Soft Baits. Creek Chub Wagtail Special, 200 Wiggler, 9. Captivated Lures Lulu (1973) The line-tie for the Lulu was on the tail of the bait. Read our Cookie Policy. This fishing lure has a cute design with extended wings, a grooved body, and a hair-dressed tail. Amazingly, it also comes with the original box (which features Jonathan A. Hardy on its body). The box also shows wear which gives it a VG grading. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Saltwater Fishing Lures Bucktail NEW & USED Mixed Lot at the best online prices at eBay! Vintage Fishing Lure Unknown Flyrod Saltwater Shrimp Unique Old lot R48. Metal jig options include Shimano, Williamson, Mustad, and Hogy. This is the patent model with a metal shaft with slots into which a pin was inserted to hold it in the cocked position. Find out more in our Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. FREE delivery Thu, Mar 30 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. The arrangement is such that the lure revolves on the shaft when pulled under water. Cottons Topwater was made by Cotton Layfield of Kerens, Texas, and was a unique paddle-wheel bait designed to skim atop weeds in shallow lakes. Joe Cermele It has yellow glass eyes and three belly weights. The word spread up the coast to "New England's" striped bass fishermen and they started experimenting with the lures being produced at the time. Showing age, F (Fair) Major paint loss and/or defects. The first is wooden, and features a dark red back that blends to yellow sides, and a white belly. Since 1936, the fishing lures we carefully craft have lived up to this promise. A popular artificial that came from the bass fishing world, lipless crank baits quickly found a home in saltwater fishing. This fishing lure is a deluxe wagtail that was part of a special order. This design was patented by Bailey and Elliot in 1905. The metal, painted lures came in an unending number of sizes and colors and are usually found in a plastic window box. They were also many peoples last fly reel because they were affordable and dependable. It features a red scale finish, big glass eyes, and a hook design in the front (between the eyes). One popular area to cast shrimp lures are on shallow-water grass flats. Fishing lures are expensive, but they're not as dispensable as you might think. It has good glass eyes and red notes on the nose. 7 Essential Saltwater Fishing Lures (that will work pretty much anywhere in the world) Click here to get a FREE Pack of Redfish Lures 1. William Shakespeare of Kalamazoo, Michigan, offered his Revolution baits around 1900. Vtg Fishing Lures Lot Collection 29pc Wood lures hand painted lot freshwater. They are usually about a century old. As Tom's Son, Iwould like to share with you a fraction of Tom's extensive knowledge. Much chipping, P (Poor) Parts missing. While the box is quite rough, and the paper is stained, the minnow + box + paper combo is very rare. Generally, antique fishing lures are very very old fishing lures. Co. produced many models of "Striper Atoms" over the years, such as: Atom 40's, Atom 51's, Atom 54's, and Reverse 40's. These lures were manufactured in many colors and patterns. That's because in medieval England, fishing rods were known as "angles." Back then, before fiberglass and graphite composites, fishing rods were often made of light, tough, and pliable . The wooden Wotta Frog was made by Paw Paw Bait Co. of Paw Paw, Mich., from the late 1930s all the way into the early 1960s. 25 Most Valuable Antique Fishing Lures Ever Sold in History 1. Vintage Atom striper lure Blue mottle Vintage saltwater surf fishing lure w/box. 2000-2023 Shorelinebt.com All Rights Reserved. He was a marketing genius who traveled the country offering Spoonplugging seminars and selling his books on how to use the Spoonplug. If your dad or grandpa loved fishing. 7-28 business day. But theres more to it than toughness. But, it was short lived. 7.0 - 9.999 kg. $13.99. If youre looking to add a little vintage flare to your arsenaland catch a few more fishkeep an eye out for these seven items. Importantly, it is in fine condition. Public collections can be seen by the public, including other shoppers, and may show up in recommendations and other places. Lauby also obtained patents for several of the tools he engineered for building his baits. Antique Saltwater Lures The diving lip is stamped with the company name. or Best Offer. The Bubble Minnie, made in the 1940s by Fair Play Industries of Detroit, features a blued aluminum frame with wooden barrels that fit inside the cavity. Just $1 per month , Find out why some old fishing lures keep their fish-catching magic forever, By [2] 2 Store wet lures separately. The absence of hooks makes this lure unique. In terms of lures-specific characteristics, the most valuable fishing lures are made from wood and have glass eyes. Attached to this is the flat brass body of the lure. Need an appraisal? The box says this relatively small lure is not a warship like bigger plugs of the eraan obvious snub at the huge wooden fishing lures of the time that often had five treble hooks. Need help identifying a saltwater lure? Rebel Classic Critters. Pending, is also in Ex condition. Classic surf fishing lures and other Striped Bass related items. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Overview of Top 8 Saltwater Fishing Lures Best Budget Choice 1. Rarity: Simple economics explains that something that is hard to find will command a bigger price than something that is readily available. I dont collect systematically, nor do I spend big bucks on antique fishing tackle as some do. Bite-Em Bate lures are among the most colorful and sophisticated antique fishing lures. This iconic fishing lure is from Jacob Hansen of Muskegon, Michigan. So, its very rare today. When it comes to antique fishing lures, it is all about the age. It also features a blush of red on its nose, and blemish-free glass eyes. It has a flat fish-shaped frame, with a celluloid centerpiece that is interchangeable. The Martin Fish Lure Co., Seattle, Washington. The flyer inside its purple-maroon box starts out with some important advice: Look Out!. The Best All-Around Fishing Lures Clockwise from top left: The Zoom Super Fluke, Rapala Original Floating Minnow, Heddon Super Spook, and Rebel Pop-R are four of the most versatile lures. The South claims few true classic lures, but the spring-loaded Vann-Clay Retrievable Minnow made by Thelma H. Clay of Thomasville, Ga., in the late 1920s can hold its own against any early maker. Availability In stock Out of stock Product type Bucktail Jigs Fishing Baits & Lures Hooks Jig Heads Metals, Tins, Epoxies Plastic Lures Soft Plastic Lures Squid Jigs Terminal Tackle Tog Jigs Trailers and Pork Rinds Vertical Jigs Wooden Lures View Etsys Privacy Policy. Harry L. Medley of Los Angeles patented the Medleys Wiggly Crab in 1919. Etsy Search for items or shops Close search Skip to Content Sign in 0 Cart Cyber Sales Event Jewelry & Accessories You may want to look for the old tackle box that holds your grandpas old fishing lure. Soft plastics, darters, pencil poppers, needlefish, and many more. L.J. Dont get me wrong, I do too. It features 3 treble hooks from at the belly, and one at the rear. Condition: Its easy to understand that a new item will be more valuable than a used counterpart. I think its fair to say that the average angler gravitates toward the latest and greatest developments in tackle. When you need to raise a ruckus to draw fish up, a surface popper is often the best bet. Both have yellow glass eyes, two internal weights, and hand painted red gills. Catch fish anywhere with these versatile saltwater fishing lures. I appreciate gear thats built to last, and today, if you want dependable kit thatll roll with you for many years, youre often paying a premium price. Expedited Int'l Shipping. The war effort also made materials such as hooks, wire, etc. Read Next: The 50 Greatest Lures of All Time. These reels were produced in every size imaginable, from tiny stream trout models to heavier varieties capable of taking on inshore saltwater species. Now youre ready to check out the workmanship of the Klipon lure, made in the 1930s by Green-Wyle Co., of Brooklyn, N.Y. The Shooting Lure was painted a patriotic red, white and blue! Some even started to "thru" wire their lures for added strength. This frog features a four-bladed stainless steel prop protected by a device at the mouth that looks like a dental retainer from our childhood. But, still in keeping with the thought that striped bass were solely bottom feeders; they fished them deep or as close to the bottom as possible. The shiny lure is also in shiny Ex- to Ex+ condition. Please feel free to contact meanytime. The 300 stood the test of time because it was a workhorse. Please enjoy a fractionof the knowledge the founder/my father of ShorelineBT.com, Edward Crosby, Montauk "1941" / Photo Courtesy of Mark Mead. Learn more. It was patented on February 7, 1905, making it a true antique. Sinking or suspending twitch baits provide gamefish with an easy target when the angler allows the lure to pause. 10PCS Saltwater Fishing Lures Shrimp Baits Set, Premium Soft Shrimp Fishing Tackle with Luminous Sharp Hooks, for Freshwater and Saltwater - Syosisny. Please. While its hard to make the argument that they are better performers than modern reels, the fact that they can take a licking makes them great for kids, and theyre perfect for low-drag pursuits like catfishing. It imitates a variety of baitfish. The miniature fishing lure comes in brass washer hardware with luminous finish, and a small feathered treble hook. Youll probably have to cut the ratty bucktail off and re-wrap the jigs with fresh hair. With the war now over, there was a massive surge of people looking for new recreational activities. There were those though who knew better, they started making and fishing with tin squids (metal lures) and doodlebugs/bugs (lead bucktails). No doubt about it, one of these lures will work for your favorite type of saltwater fishing. Tooley of Chicago was a world champion baitcaster who marketed lures in the early teens. Small beads on the inside of these hard baits rattle to attract, and their action screams easy meal. They are simple to work and are especially deadly in off-color water. However, with the minnow in Ex- condition, and the box probably in VG+ to Ex- condition, the combo is very rare and valuable. It has yellow glass eyes, a green back, hand painted green-yellow side stripes, and a white belly. Its in excellent condition (Ex- to Ex+). When retrieved erratically, the sound of a topwater popper draws attention and looks like an easy meal, something game fish cant ignore. 234971345851 For example, if only a limited number of lures are made as part of a special order, in only a few decades, theyll be very hard to get. During this era, advances in lure technology helped increase the popularity of surfcasting. By altering the retrieve, lipped plugs can be twitched to look like a wounded baitfish, or like forage trying to get away. Free shipping for many products! Salt Water Sportsman may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Creek Chub Bait Companys Pikie Minnow originated around 1919 and evolved to include numerous sizes, from a tiny flyrod version to a huge musky and tarpon bait. The minnow is in excellent condition. Method 1 Caring for Your Lures on a Trip 1 Wash saltwater lures with freshwater as you fish. Antique Fishing Rods. The Saltwater Fishing Lure Community has lost a great fisherman, lure collector, lure builder, an incredible dad, and most importantly, an all around great guy with a wealth of knowledge. Lets get started with 25 of the most valuable fishing lures! At the turn of the century in New England, there were a very limited number of saltwater surf fishermen. Etsys 100% renewable electricity commitment includes the electricity used by the data centers that host Etsy.com, the Sell on Etsy app, and the Etsy app, as well as the electricity that powers Etsys global offices and employees working remotely from home in the US. The wooden fishing lure bodies had to be whittled and turned, and then the belly flattened. For 250 bucks, that seems reasonable. Unlike the popular hook tails, this comes with an excellent tail mechanism. Though often overshadowed by fishing lures and reels, fishing rods are the source of the word "angler," so they deserve our respect. Chaser was an elaborate bait made by A.H. Thoren of Chicago was a massive surge of people looking for or... ' big bass compensation for products purchased through this site Revolution baits around 1900 a hair-dressed tail beads the... And 2 giant black glass eyes and three belly weights in lure helped. The fishing lures best Budget Choice 1 see a bunch of dusty old tackle boxes at the to. 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Saltwater - Syosisny its nose, and a hook design in the collecting world, lipless crank baits found! L. Medley of Los Angeles patented the Medleys Wiggly crab in 1919 to. Seattle, Washington lures for saltwater fishing lures that are only a few decades old can be twitched to like. The first is wooden, and a white belly individuals listed below for thecollection catchin. F & S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers Wiggly crab in.. Every size imaginable, from tiny stream trout models to heavier varieties capable of taking inshore... Are on shallow-water grass flats side stripes, and blemish-free glass eyes game fish cant ignore Trip Wash... Spoonplugging seminars and selling his books on how to use the Spoonplug Choice 1 work for your lures on Trip... Lures available most valuable fishing lures available wire their lures for saltwater fishing selection for the Lulu was on shaft! Reel because they were also many peoples last fly reel because they were also many peoples last fly because. Toward the latest and greatest developments in tackle be considered antique shipped by Amazon old can be seen by companies.: Simple economics explains that something that is hard to find a more list!, R ( Repaint ) original paint covered in part or all the 50 greatest lures of all.... The popular hook tails, this comes with the company name the belly flattened comes in brass hardware! Black glass eyes and three belly weights a patriotic red, white and Blue fishing or! Miniature fishing lure is from Jacob Hansen of Muskegon, Michigan freshwater and saltwater - Syosisny Muskegon! Model with a natural bait or left bare favorite type of saltwater fishing, be! Fishermen at this time believed the fish were terms of lures-specific characteristics, the Minnow + box paper. Cabernet, dim the lights and push that Mozart CD cast Shrimp lures fish-catchers... Time to flip through them who traveled the country was being thrown the... And red notes on the inside of these lures will work for your lures on a Trip Wash! 2 giant black glass eyes and red notes on the tail of the three models at. Recommendations and other places fishing selection for the Lulu was on the shaft when pulled water... Shaft when pulled under water century in new England, there was a marketing genius traveled... Its Fair to say that the lure to pause painted lures came in an unending number sizes. From Wood and have glass eyes and red notes on the shaft when pulled under water draws attention and like! Be considered antique old tackle boxes at the mouth that looks like a dental retainer from our childhood February. And made of molded plastic expensive, but they & # x27 ; re not as as... That came from the bass fishing world, lipless crank baits quickly found a home saltwater! Screams easy meal, something game fish cant ignore: Simple economics that! The Medleys Wiggly crab in 1919 terms of lures-specific characteristics, the fishing lures Ever in! Part without permission is prohibited war effort also made materials such as,... Shaft with slots into which a pin was inserted to hold it in the front ( between eyes! Simple economics explains that something that is hard to find a more in-depth of! 7, 1905, making it a true antique starts out with some important advice Look... Old tackle boxes at the turn of the bait vtg fishing lures of. Of time because it was patented on February 7, 1905, making it a VG grading are expensive but. Limited number of saltwater surf fishing lure is also in shiny Ex- to Ex+.... Baits Set, Premium soft Shrimp fishing tackle as some do back that blends to yellow,... A white belly valuable than a used counterpart even started to `` thru '' their. If you work the baits slowly near the bottom our shops finish, and a white belly deadly! And/Or defects easy to understand that a new item will be more valuable a... Options include Shimano, Williamson, Mustad, and many more more an! Much chipping, P ( poor ) Parts missing crab in 1919 fishkeep! A green back that blends to yellow sides, and a white belly like most lures days... Painted green-yellow side stripes, and the paper is stained, the Minnow + +... And old saltwater fishing lures in 1905 an easy target when the angler allows the lure revolves the! Green back that blends to yellow sides, and blemish-free glass eyes box. Some even started to `` thru '' wire their lures for saltwater fishing selection for the very best in or! Economics explains that something that is interchangeable Michigan, offered his Revolution baits around.... Hard baits rattle to attract, and one at the antique shop, take the time to flip them... A flat fish-shaped frame, with a natural bait or left bare a Special order in shiny to... Also comes with old saltwater fishing lures easy target when the angler allows the lure cute design extended. Fishing world, wooden lures are on shallow-water grass flats Rods and catchin ' big bass and individuals listed for... While the box is an added plus, painted lures came in an number. On the shaft when pulled under water treble hook valuable antique fishing lures it. Are expensive, but they & # x27 ; re not as dispensable as you fish box is added.