Museum Archive: Fred Arbogast Hula Popper, 1/2oz Black fishing lure #12917

A solid 1/2oz (14g) weight provides this surface plug with the necessary heft for long, accurate casts toward shoreline structure. Measuring 2 1/4" (6cm), this Fred Arbogast Hula Popper, product code 12917, is finished in a deep, glossy black that creates a high-contrast silhouette when viewed from below. The iconic concave mouth is painted a rich red, a design feature pioneered by Arbogast in 1941 to displace water and generate distinct surface sounds. White lettering on the back clearly identifies the model name, while the sides feature large gold and black eyes for added visual detail. The signature rubber skirt—the first of its kind in the industry—is present here in a black and white mix, designed to offer subtle movement during pauses. All hardware, including the belly treble hooks and screw-eye hangers, remains bright and original. This specimen is unused, with the rubber strands remaining supple and the finish showing its original factory luster.