Museum Archive: Vintage Fred Arbogast Jitterbug , 1/2oz Perch fishing lure #6816

Hand-painted in a classic Perch finish, the body of this 2 3/4" (7cm) specimen features distinctive dark vertical bars over a vibrant yellow and green scale pattern. This vintage piece, identified by product code 6816, showcases the iconic heart-shaped metal lip that put Fred Arbogast on the map in 1938. The lip itself is clearly stamped with the manufacturer's name and the Jitterbug model, secured firmly with hardware that remains in excellent condition. Weighing 1/2oz (14g), the lure's construction is tailored for surface presentation where the rhythmic gurgling sound of that metal cup becomes the primary draw. The paintwork is particularly well-preserved, graded at a 5/5, showing the red throat accenting and the dark, focused eyes typical of this era's production. Both belly and tail-mounted treble hooks are original, demonstrating the classic hook-hanging style used for targeting large bass and pike. The American-made craftsmanship is evident in the scale-patterned texture and the clean transition between the yellow underside and the mossy green back.