Museum Archive: Vintage Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap, 1/2oz fishing lure #13863

Fine fish-scale texture covers the sides of this 3" (7.5 cm) Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap, highlighting the detailed craftsmanship found in the 1/2 oz (14 g) model. The color palette on this American-made specimen features a dark black back that fades into a purple transition before settling into a warm orange and peach midsection accented by vertical orange bars. A prominent blue crescent mark is positioned just behind the lifelike eye, providing a focal point against the cream-colored belly. Assigned Product Code 13863, the lure maintains its original silver treble hooks and top-mounted line tie, earning a condition rating of 5/5. Bill Lewis developed this lipless design specifically to accommodate long-distance casting and high-speed retrieves across varied water conditions. The heavy internal rattles are housed within the flat-sided body, allowing for a loud auditory signature that can be sensed even through a boat's hull. When targeting deeper wintering holes or submerged structures, the fast-sinking nature of the lure allows for productive vertical jigging presentations.