Museum Archive: Vintage Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap, 2/5oz fishing lure #12661

Weighing in at 2/5 oz (12 g), this classic Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap features a distinctive grey scale pattern that transitions into a dark, smoky head. The lure sports a bright yellow eye with a large black pupil and a characteristic black dot on the side of its head. The underside of the nose shows a subtle orange tint, adding a touch of contrast to the muted body tones. This 2 1/4" (6 cm) specimen, identified by Product Code 12661, is in 5/5 condition with the hardware and finish remaining well-preserved. Being a lipless crankbait, its sinking nature allows an angler to target various depths by adjusting retrieve speed or using vertical presentations. Bill Lewis's American-made (USA) design is centered around internal rattling chambers, which generate significant sound underwater to signal fish in stained or clear conditions. Anglers often utilize these for covering large areas of water or fishing vertically in colder months when species like bass, pike, or lake trout are grouped around deep structures or wintering holes.