Museum Archive: Vintage Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap, 1/4oz fishing lure #9741

A weight of 1/4 oz (7g) defines this smaller 'Mini-Trap' version of the legendary Bill Lewis lipless crankbait, a staple in any serious tackle collection. Measuring 2 1/4" (5.5cm) in length, the lure features a striking fish-print pattern over a silver-chrome base, accented by dark horizontal stripes and localized orange spots near the gills and lower head. Bill Lewis Lures, operating from Alexandria, Louisiana, designed this model with an internal chamber containing 20 rattlers to generate sound detectable even through a boat's hull in 20ft (6.1 m) of water. This specimen, identified by product code 9741, is housed in its original yellowed plastic clamshell box along with the classic paper insert. The hardware includes two sharp, silver-finished treble hooks that remain in excellent condition. Looking closely at the finish, the lure appears unused and retains its original factory sheen. The included documentation highlights its effectiveness for vertical jigging near deep structures or wintering holes, proving its versatility beyond the standard fast retrieve.