Florida Antique Tackle Collectors

The latest issue of the F.A.T.C. News is live athttps://fatc.net/Newsletter/Vol%2038%20No%203.pdf Great job by Joe Yates and all who contributed. Thank you!

Lure of the Week: Pflueger Wizard Minnow

This sleek wooden minnow was made available prior to 1907 and was offered in 3- and 5-hook configurations. It’s yoke-colored glass eyes are indicative of its age, as is its original one-way, slide-top wooden box.

According to the side label, the Wizard Minnow was “ballasted to float belly down” and could be used “on or below the surface of the water, according to the speed given it.” The text goes on to say “the spinners revolving freely in opposite directions produce a most tempting attraction to all game fish, especially bass.”

All Wizard Minnows are considered rare, but to find one in this condition with its original box is quite a challenge. Enjoy!

This show will be here before you know it, so be sure to get your reservations in ASAP. For more info, go to www.FATC.net.

Lure of the week: Pflueger Metalized “Monarch” Minnow

According to Dale Van De Voort's reference, The Pflueger Book, metalized Monarch Minnows were introduced in 1910. They were packaged in wooden slide-top boxes like this one, as well as two-piece, maroon-colored cardboard versions.

Apparently their highly reflective metalized finish was quite popular, as they remained in Pflueger's product line for decades. Enjoy!

Lure of the Week: Bacon Brothers “Minnow”.

Sydney E. Bacon received a patent for his unique salmon plug in 1938. Touted as “The Minnow That Swims,” it combines a glass-eye, wooden head with a fabric body and two tethered, heavy-gauge hooks.

Likely part of a small cashe found in the early 2000s, this lure and box combo would look good in any collection.

Thanks to Scott Jedd for sharing his insight and this very attractive combo. To see more obscure and unusual lures, visit patreon.com/Megaluremaniac

Lure of the Week: Heddon “O” Minnow

Introduced by James Heddon & Son in 1911, these beautiful underwater minnows were packaged in a variety of boxes — including “Pine Tree,” “White Border,” “Blue Border” and “Red Border” variations.

Aside from a few special order colors, Ought Minnows were primarily offered in three catalogued colors, including:
0 - White w/ Red and Green Spots
01 - Yellow w/ Red and Black Spots
02 - Red with Black Spots

They remained in the product line until 1927.

Thanks to Tyler Matthew Clugston for sharing his insight and this beautiful, vintage combo. Enjoy!

Lure of the Week: Michigan “Stump Dodger”

Introduced in the early 1910s, the Stump Dodger was the invention of Albert Winnie — a barber based in Traverse City, Michigan, with a obvious passion for fishing.

His unique plug-style lure features two small diving lips, brass tack eyes, a pair of equal-sized treble hooks and is purported to be hand painted by Winnie himself.

This example was recently added to Craig Meyer’s collection. Enjoy!

The F.A.T.C. Fall Show — Reserve your tables now! They’re going fast. For more information, go to www.FATC.net.

We’re sad to report the passing of our longtime friend and life member, Jan Cummings — one of the most talented people to ever touch our hobby. If you knew Jan, then you knew the caliber of his work. If you didn’t know him, please click the image below to learn more about him. He was so skilled and creative, yet humble and unassuming. Such a loss. Rest In Peace, Jan. You will be missed.

Jan Cummings: Angler artist extraordinaire - Bassmaster In our sport, lures can be more than simple tools to catch fish. They can be works of art. Just as a sophisticated handtied fly offers special appeal to the...

Lure of the Week: Shakespeare Whirlwind Spinner

Introduced in 1910 by William Shakespeare, Jr. Company, this beautiful example features tandem propellers, a fancy feathered bucktail and no eyes. The hooks are hung with Shakespeare’s unique flat-plate hardware.

Paired with its introductory two-piece cardboard box, the two make for an incredibly rare combo. Enjoy!

Here’s a short video of the recent Crystal River Summer Show, courtesy of Tevin Phillip and Joe Yates. Watch!

FATC Montage - Crystal River, Florida - May 31 2024 - June 2 2024

Best of Show at Crystal River went to Bernie Schultz for his ’Early Metal Lures’ and ‘Glass Minnow Tubes.’

More photos of the F.A.T.C. Summer Show at Crystal River. Lots to see!

Photos of the F.A.T.C. Crystal River Summer Show! Sold out venue with lots of tackle trading hands. More to come!…

Lure of the Week: Dazzy Vance Pier Bait

Recognizing this week's Crystal River F.A.T.C. Summer Show, we offer this beautifully painted pier bait, produced by Dazzy Vance & Company of Homosassa Springs, Florida — a coastal township located just minutes from our show site.

Some of you may recognize Dazzy as a former All Star Pitcher of Major League Baseball fame. He still holds records to this day. And though the lure making venture lasted less than a year, his company produced some of the most unique lures of its time.

To learn more about Dazzy Vance and his lure making operation, click here: https://www.bassmaster.com/bernie-schultz/dazzy-vance-strike-zone For more information on the show, go to: www.fatc.net

The F.A.T.C. Summer Show at Crystal River is this week! If you would like a table, check with show hosts Grace Chlastawa and Tom Wilkerson on availability. Although the show is sold out, cancellations do happen. So there is a good chance to score. For more info, go to www.FATC.net.

Best of Show award for this week’s F.A.T.C. Summer Show at Crystal River. Bring your best!

As you celebrate Memorial Day this weekend, please remember the fallen.

Lure of the Week: South Bend No. 905 Underwater Minnow

According to South Bend sleuth, Joe Dailey, this version of the 5-hook Underwater Minnow was introduced in 1912. Its slender wooden body is finished in shaded white (SW) and features white iris glass eyes and tandem, unmarked props.

It is the fourth version of the Underwater Minnow and was offered in 18 different colors. It’s paired with a correct, second-version maroon box also from 1912. Enjoy!

Free Tour Boat Trips at Crystal River!

If you’re interested in a 90-minute sightseeing tour on the crystalline waters of King’s Bay, follow the link below. Owners Chris & Angela Ward are offering complimentary trips to registered F.A.T.C. members and their guests, leaving out of Pete’s Peir from 10am—6pm daily. The offer is good from May 28 to June 1. Click below to register, and use booking code “FATC2024” at checkout.

See Crystal River | Boat Tours in Crystal River, FL Join our sightseeing Cruises and boat tours through the Crystal River and Kings Bay Manatee Refuge! Get up-close with Florida's gentle giants. Book online!

The F.A.T.C. Summer Show at Crystal River is just two weeks away! If you would like a table, check with show hosts Grace Chlastawa and Tom Wilkerson on availability. Although the show is sold out, cancellations do happen. So there is a good chance to score. For more info, go to www.FATC.net.

Lure of the Week: Heddon's 1800 Crab Wiggler

Definitely not your average Crab Wiggler, this beauty was created by James Heddon & Sons, sometime between 1920 and 1926.

According to longtime FATC member David Lindsay, it was part of a limited, special order run and only two more examples are known to exist. If you're fortunate enough to find a fourth, consider yourself lucky ... as you will have hit the lottery in lure collecting. Enjoy!

The latest issue of the F.A.T.C. News, now on our webpage. Follow the link…https://fatc.net/Newsletter/Vol%2038%20No%202.pdf

Two tables just came available for the Crystal River show. If you’re interested, contact show cohost Grace Chlastawa or go to www.FATC.net for show details.

FATC - Florida Antique Lure Collectors

Lure of the Week: Miller’s Reversible Minnow

Offered in 1913 through Union Springs Specialty Company, these odd looking topwater lures feature unique counter-rotating props that could create quite a commotion. Available colors ranged from this red and white variation to yellow spotted and strawberry.

Should you find one, consider yourself lucky. Especially if it comes with its original box. They are quite valuable. Enjoy!

A little over a month away — the F.A.T.C. Summer Show at Crystal River, Florida. Tables are sold out, but cancellations do happen. So be sure to contact the show hosts and get your name on the waiting list. It’s a great venue with lots of history, in a beautiful setting with fishing and golf are at your doorstep. For more info, go to www.FATC.net.

Lure of the Week: Pflueger Monarch Minnow

According to “The Pflueger Book” by Dale Van De Voort, the Enterprise Manufacturing Company introduced its Monarch Minnow in 1907. They remained in the product line for more than a decade.

Easily identified by their full, V-shaped bodies and beautiful paint schemes, Monarch Minnows rank among Pflueger’s all time finest offerings.

This particular example is painted in a bold and unusual rainbow pattern. Enjoy!

Lure of the Week: Harlow & Steinbaugh "E-Z-Way"

Combining the design aspects of a wooden chunk bait with that of a spring hook, the E-Z-Way is arguably the most lethal of all fish lures ever conceived. When its hooks are cocked and set (like a bear trap), it becomes quite weedless. But once those hooks are triggered, watch out! The spring-loaded feature is so strong, the barbs are sure to pierce anything in their path.

E-Z-Way lures were introduced around 1915 by Harlow & Steinbaugh of Newark, Ohio. They were packaged in diminutive-sized, maroon boxes. As a combo, they are considered quite rare. Enjoy!