Museum Archive: Vintage Grapentin Specialties Catchmore Fish Stalker, 1/2oz White / Red / Blue fishing lure #8897

Vibrant blue, red, and yellow spots provide a striking contrast against the off-white finish of this vintage minnow. Carrying product code 8897, this Grapentin Specialties Catchmore Fish Stalker measures 4 3/4" (12 cm) and weighs 1/2 oz (14 g). The red-painted head transitions into a cream body where the "FISH STALKER" identification is stamped along the midsection. Rated at a condition of 4/5, the lure shows light wear consistent with age, specifically visible on the red-painted diving lip. It is engineered for a cranking depth of 2'-4' (0.6 - 1.2 m), while trolling allows it to reach depths of 4'-8' (1.2 - 2.4 m). Collectors value these for their versatility, as they were originally marketed for everything from night walleye casting to river whipping. When trolled slowly in the spring, the design is known to mimic the movement of a smelt or minnow, a trait that historically made it effective for salmon. For river anglers, it was often used with snap weights or as a trailing lure in a multi-bait whipping rig to reach deeper water.