Rummaging through Grandfather's attic, you find a box of old lures. You examine each bait, wondering, "What's it worth?"
In most cases, the answer is, "Not much." But occasionally, someone uncovers a lure worth thousands of dollars. That possibility fuels a nationwide obsession with collecting antique lures and other tackle.
Noted expert Karl White, Bassmaster's consultant on antique tackle, has been collecting and studying antique lures for more than half a century. White recently donated his entire collection — worth $4 million — to the Oklahoma Aquarium for public viewing. He also has released a three-volume set of books evaluating and identifying various types of fishing tackle.
White says an antique lure's value depends on a variety of factors, including the rarity, demand, age, beauty and condition of the lure. As long as you can prove the lure is an original, says White, finding a buyer shouldn't be too hard. In addition, a lure's box is often valuable, sometimes worth more than the lure.
Following is a list of the 35 most valuable antique fishing lures, according to White's newest books. Hundreds of other antique lures not listed here are worth $20 to $3,500.
Heddon Frog $30,000
One of the rarest antique lures in existence today, hence the hefty price tag, this lure was hand-carved in 1897 by James Heddon of Dowagiac, Mich. Heddon was one of the world's largest producers of honey: He gave this lure to honey distributors as an incentive for them to buy his honey. The Heddon Frog is a hand-carved wooden frog with a single hook on each leg and a treble hook dangling from its belly. It has protruding black eyes and a line tie at its mouth.
Shakespeare Revolution Wood Bait $15,000
This 3 ¾-inch jointed plug, built in 1897, was the first wooden bait. It came equipped with three treble hooks and a propeller. It has a cousin, worth $4,000, that was built in 1898 and is 4 inches long.
Haskell Fish Hook $15,000
This lure was the first plug-type bass bait in America. Made in 1859 by Riley Haskell of Ohio, it has a metal body with scales and detailed fins, a revolving tail, and dual upturned hooks at its rear. It is 4 ½ inches long. A smaller model of the Haskell Fish Hook sold for $22,500 in the early 1990s, but more have been found since then, reducing the value.
Krantz & Smith Chautauqua Minnow $12,000
This valuable antique was the first lure in America advertised as weedless. Krantz & Smith of New York made it in 1908. It is 3 ½ inches long and has red painted eyes. "Generally speaking," says Karl White, "a plug that did not work — in other words, did not catch fish — naturally was lower manufactured, and therefore is rarer and worth more." The Chautauqua Minnow, says White, "didn't catch fish, but, boy, is it a rare one."
Comstock Flying Hellgrammite $12,000
This lure was made by Harry Comstock of New York in 1883. This 3-inch sinking lure became famous when Comstock sued E.F. Pflueger — and won — for design infringement because Pflueger's lure was too similar to his. Pflueger even named his product the same thing: Flying Hellgrammite.
Pflueger Flying Hellgrammite $10,000
This lure was built in 1885 by E.F. Pflueger, president of Enterprise Manufacturing Co. in Akron, Ohio, which later became Pflueger Tackle Co. This lure is the one that got Pflueger in trouble with Harry Comstock. The specific lure in the picture is the one that was examined by the judge in the lawsuit.