Museum Archive: Vintage Fred Arbogast Jitterbug Early Bug Eye​ (1960s)​ , 1/2oz fishing lure #20815

Gold scale patterning across the body distinguishes this mid-century surface rarity, a classic finish popular during the 1960s. The oversized, painted "Bug Eye" design gives this 1/2 oz (14 g) specimen its distinct personality, a feature highly sought after by Arbogast enthusiasts. Measuring 2 3/4" (7 cm), the lure is equipped with its signature wide metal lip, which bears the "FRED ARBOGAST" stamp identifying its Akron, Ohio heritage. This specific Jitterbug, cataloged as product code 20815, features a two-tone appearance with a lighter cream underbelly that contrasts against the darker, cross-hatched scales on its back. The hardware consists of two belly-mounted treble hooks secured by vintage-style screw-eye fasteners. Its condition is a respectable 4/5, displaying well-preserved paint and clean metal components that reflect its era of production. The wide metal lip is angled precisely to provide the steady surface-crawling movement this model has been famous for since Fred Arbogast first introduced the design in 1938.