Loading Spinner

Fishing Lures

Collecting fishing lures is a lot like fishing itself: you never know what you might come across. It’s this intrigue that has sparked one of the largest followings among all fishing collectibles. You could almost say that lures are the baseball cards of the fishing world.

Although fishing hooks of bone and bronze were used by the Chinese and Egyptians more than 2,000 years ago, fishing lures weren’t manufactured widely until the 20th century. Julio T. Buel is considered the founding father of early U.S. lures, earning five patents for his spoons and spinners in the late 1800s. James Heddon produced the first commercially-made lures, starting the first U.S. lure company from his kitchen in 1902. Soon after, Shakespeare, Pflueger, South Bend, and Creek Chub joined the market as commercial lure makers, among many others. By the '60s and '70s, mass-produced plastic lures began to dominate the tackle industry, and the era of great demand for fine-crafted fishing lures drew to a close.

Lure collecting has been popular since the '60s, and values of particular lures are largely determined by scarcity, condition, and demand. Pieces produced in limited quantities tend to accrue value, as well as pieces still in their original box or case. Some lure collectors choose to collect by manufacturer, region, or geography, however, some base acquisitions on what aesthetically appeals to them.


Quick Facts

  • Bassmaster maintains a list of the "35 Most Valuable Antique Lures"
  • The most valuable lure in the world is considered to be the one-of-a-kind 1853 Giant Haskell Minnow. It sold at auction for a world-record price of $101,200
  • Only eight Heddon frog lures are known to exist. James Heddon hand carved these pieces in 1897

Recommended Items at Auction

See all items

VINTAGE BOBBER & FISHING LURE COLLECTION
Nov 08, 11:00 AM EST
VINTAGE BOBBER & FISHING LURE COLLECTION
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $200- $300
$2007 Bids
Rapala Fishing Lures to Include Shad Rap and Wobbler 2” to 4” long
Nov 07, 9:00 AM EST
Rapala Fishing Lures to Include Shad Rap and Wobbler 2” to 4” long
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$356 Bids
Eleven Mixed Fishing Lures & Boxes
Nov 07, 6:00 PM EST
Eleven Mixed Fishing Lures & Boxes
by Gary R. Wallace Auctioneers Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$405 Bids
Heddon Midget River Runts Fishing Lures
Nov 07, 9:00 AM EST
Heddon Midget River Runts Fishing Lures
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$255 Bids
(12) Miscellaneous Fishing Lures (1) Hand Painted 2” to 5.5” long
Nov 07, 9:00 AM EST
(12) Miscellaneous Fishing Lures (1) Hand Painted 2” to 5.5” long
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$103 Bids
Loaded Plano Fishing Box
Nov 07, 9:00 AM EST
Loaded Plano Fishing Box
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$253 Bids
Fred Arbogast Fishing Lures to Include Mud Bug Jitterbug and Hula Dancer 3” to 4” long
Nov 07, 9:00 AM EST
Fred Arbogast Fishing Lures to Include Mud Bug Jitterbug and Hula Dancer 3” to 4” long
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$102 Bids
Nine Plus Fishing Lures
Nov 07, 6:00 PM EST
Nine Plus Fishing Lures
by Gary R. Wallace Auctioneers Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$152 Bids
bp parity badge
Bundle Of Antique Fishing Lures
Nov 07, 6:00 PM EST
Bundle Of Antique Fishing Lures
by Aether Auctions
Est: $0- $0
$22 Bids
Whopper Stopper Bomber Lures (2) Original Boxes 4.5” long
Nov 07, 9:00 AM EST
Whopper Stopper Bomber Lures (2) Original Boxes 4.5” long
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Creek Chub Crawdad and Pike Fishing Lures 4” long
Nov 07, 9:00 AM EST
Creek Chub Crawdad and Pike Fishing Lures 4” long
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Heddon Vamps Hand Painted Lures 4” long
Nov 07, 9:00 AM EST
Heddon Vamps Hand Painted Lures 4” long
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Vintage Fishing Creel with Lures and Other Contents
Nov 07, 6:00 PM EST
Vintage Fishing Creel with Lures and Other Contents
by Gary R. Wallace Auctioneers Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Antique Fishing Lures
Nov 17, 1:00 PM CST
Antique Fishing Lures
by Mike Nichols Auctions
Est: $10- $20,000
$100 Bids
Antique Fishing Lures
Nov 17, 1:00 PM CST
Antique Fishing Lures
by Mike Nichols Auctions
Est: $10- $20,000
$100 Bids
Antique Fishing Lures
Nov 17, 1:00 PM CST
Antique Fishing Lures
by Mike Nichols Auctions
Est: $10- $20,000
$100 Bids
Antique Fishing Lures
Nov 17, 1:00 PM CST
Antique Fishing Lures
by Mike Nichols Auctions
Est: $10- $20,000
$100 Bids
bp parity badge
10PC ASSORTED FISHING LURES LARGE TO SMALL
Nov 17, 12:00 PM EST
10PC ASSORTED FISHING LURES LARGE TO SMALL
by Neely Auction
Est: $80- $200
$400 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Fishing Lures


Apple Tree Auction Center

Apple Tree Auction Center

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries