Museum Archive: Vintage Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap, 1/3oz Gold fishing lure #16293

A weight of 1/3 oz (9 g) provides the necessary ballast for this lipless crankbait to sink quickly and maintain its orientation during various retrieval speeds. Produced by Bill Lewis under product code 16293, this Rat-L-Trap is a cornerstone of American lure design. The brilliant Gold finish on this specimen is accented by a distinctive black side spot and a small splash of red at the throat, providing high contrast in different light conditions. Measuring 2 1/4" (6 cm) in length, it carries a larger silver-colored belly treble and a smaller dark-finished tail hook, both of which are original to the design. This lure maintains a condition rating of 5/5, showing as an unused example of USA manufacturing. The line tie is situated atop the flat head, designed to produce a signature vibration that creates the loud rattling sound these lures are known for. Many anglers have noted the intensity of this sound, often remarking that the internal rattles are audible even through a boat's hull during a retrieve. Its compact profile and dense construction allow for long casts, making it efficient for covering expansive flats or jigging vertically over deep structures.