Today, we see that the price and value of the rarest antique fishing tackle increases as more and more unique fishing tackle is discovered. More and more old people are downsizing and gems can be found.

What values ​​are we talking about?

According to Carl F. Luckey, author of “Old Fishing Lures and Tackle, Identification and Value Guide,” “Consider the 3-inch Snake Tin Liz lure produced by Arbogast circa 1933. Today, it can cost anywhere from $ 200 to $ 300. The 2- inch Airex Spinner, on the other hand, manufactured by Airex Bait Company in 1948, is valued at less than $ 5.

“As for the reels,” Luckey wrote, “Abbie and Imbria’s Lakeside in 1946 is worth around $ 10 to $ 20, but an Arnold Fly Reel from Bivan’s Mfg. Company, 1955 costs around $ 20 to $ 30. . “

“The types of lures that have fallen on the road range from the sublime to the ridiculous, from the ineffective to the explosively successful fisherman. Thousands of fishing collectibles are on the market, such as hooks and harnesses, tackle boxes, lures, rods and reels. Scarcity, demand, condition and age determine the value of collectible fishing items.

According to Karl White, author of “Fishing Tackle Antiques and Collectibles”, “The older the item, the more it is worth, because the older it is, the less available. Simply put, supply and demand come into play in most Some lures from the 1920s and 1930s, made for a short period of time, are quite rare and valuable, others made in the 1940s to 1970s are also valuable.

Where to find them

Try old general stores in your area, especially storerooms and basements. Many treasures ended up on dusty storage shelves. Anywhere equipment has been sold for over 40 or 50 years. Online Collector Exchange Tables. Garage sales and flea markets are good places, although in some flea markets a few people think that old items are very marketable and the prices can be very disproportionate. Explore malls and antique stores and make comparisons.

At Sarah’s Uniques and Jim’s “Man” Ticks Antique Mall, St. Charles, owner Jim Kieffer tells us, “We have several different fishing reels including Pflueger’s and Shakespeare’s about $ 5 to about $ 35, and a variety of lures for everyone. Some are in boxes and many are just very old and collectable ranging from $ 2 to $ 40. We also have the reels. We also have a great selection of minnow buckets and whatnot is now a very collectable item, Fishing spears. Fishing spears are a unique collector’s item, as there are many different sizes and styles, as well as some very old and unique designs. Spears cost between $ 20 and $ 100, depending on style and condition. “

“What’s really interesting about old fishing tackle is that each of them is still usable today, even though some are over a hundred years old,” said Brad Sissel, Old River Valley Antique salesperson. Mall in Stewartville. Lures can range from $ 2 to over $ 100. Vintage reels can range from $ 10 apiece and regular fishing rods typically cost less than $ 30, but split bamboo rods cost around $ 80 to $ 100, and my collectible fish spears usually cost less than $ 30, with fish lures in the same price range.

Lure collector – and manufacturer

Wayne Carrigan, a collector, also enjoys the art of making decoys. He owns Root River Lures in Chatfield.

“We have a lot of decoys prepared and ready to go to shows and on the Root River Lures website, Facebook, emails and phone calls from regular customers,” he said. “I also have quite a few custom orders for commercial lures that I make. An example of a custom lure is, when fishing in certain Canadian provinces, you must use only one barbless hook. A customer from Ohio had a very specific lure which was a large barbless stainless steel hook attached with multiple squirrel tail colors to mimic some of the baitfish in the lake he was fishing. I attached lures that mimicked perch, whitefish and grayling. He was looking for the northern northern pike. “