Museum Archive: Vintage Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap, 1/2oz fishing lure #18753

Horizontal stripes running along the silver-toned flanks immediately identify this 3" (7.5 cm) Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap as a classic choice for mimicking local forage. At 1/2 oz (14 g), this specimen carries the weight needed for long-distance casting or reaching those wintering holes where fish stack up against deep structure. The lifelike shad aesthetic features a prominent dark spot behind the gills and subtle red accents near the throat, a color scheme that has proven effective in both stained and clear water conditions. This specific unit, identified by Product Code 18753, remains in excellent 5/5 condition, showing well-preserved hardware and paint. Bill Lewis designed this lipless lure in the USA with internal rattles that broadcast sound through the water column to trigger aggressive responses. It handles various presentations well, from high-speed retrieves over grass flats to vertical jigging techniques. The two sturdy treble hooks are mounted on robust split rings, ready for everything from bass to striped bass or pike.