Museum Archive: Vintage Fred Arbogast Jitterbug, 1/2oz fishing lure #16023

Stamped clearly in red across the creamy white back, the "JITTERBUG" name identifies this 1/2 oz (14 g) surface crawler as a genuine Fred Arbogast creation. This specimen features the iconic redhead pattern on its 2 3/4" (7 cm) body, a color scheme that has been a mainstay in tackle boxes since the design's inception in the late 1930s. The distinctive double-lobed metal lip is firmly attached to the face, engineered to produce a rhythmic gurgling sound during a steady retrieve. Its hardware includes two original treble hooks, with the belly hook positioned to balance the lure's center of gravity. The painted yellow eyes with dark pupils are centered within the red head section, providing a high-contrast focal point. Cataloged under product code 16023, the lure is in excellent shape, earning a condition rating of 5/5. The paint transition from the red head to the white body remains crisp, and the floating construction is designed to keep the lure high in the water column to avoid vegetation. The metal hardware shows the classic mounting style typical of mid-century Arbogast production.