Museum Archive: Vintage Fred Arbogast Hula Popper, 1/2oz Tiger fishing lure #1189

Weighing in at 1/2oz (14g), this classic specimen features a bold Tiger pattern with dark spots over a vibrant orange and red body. The 2 1/4" (6cm) frame displays the iconic deeply cupped mouth designed for surface popping, a hallmark of Fred Arbogast’s 1941 innovation. Looking at the hardware, you will find two treble hooks attached via the traditional belly and tail hangers. The signature rubber skirt is a mix of bright orange and yellow strands, providing secondary movement even during the pause of a retrieve. Cataloged under product code 1189, this lure shows light evidence of its history and sits at a 4/5 condition rating. The black lettering of the name stamp remains legible on the dark upper back, contrasting against the speckled flanks. Oversized eyes with yellow irises sit prominently above the red-painted interior of the concave mouth.