Museum Archive: Vintage Fred Arbogast Jitterbug, 1/4oz Yellow fishing lure #15112

Bright yellow paint and silver-toned ribbing across the back distinguish this Fred Arbogast Jitterbug, a 2" (5 cm) topwater lure that has remained a tackle box staple for decades. Bearing the product code 15112, this 1/4 oz (7 g) model features the iconic heart-shaped metal lip that Fred Arbogast engineered in 1938 to generate a rhythmic gurgling sound during a steady retrieve. The orange-ringed black eyes remain sharp against the yellow body, which shows minor surface wear consistent with its age. Both the stamped metal lip and the dual treble hooks exhibit some surface oxidation, resulting in a condition rating of 4/5. The silver horizontal stripes provide a secondary visual element on the dorsal side while the lure is worked across the surface. This model is designed to create a bubble trail that lingers behind the lure, providing a target for fish to track.