Hydro Lures
Hydro Lures, Inc. and the Hydro Spoon: History and Characteristics
Hydro Lures, Inc. was an American fishing lure manufacturer from Huntsville, Alabama, operating in the 1970s and 1980s. The company was part of Plasform Inc., founded in 1970. For nearly half a century (from 1970 to 2017), the company was headed by Glenn Robert Huskey.
The Hydro Spoon Lure
The Hydro Spoon is a specialized plastic weedless lure. Unlike traditional metal spoons, the Hydro Spoon was designed for specific fishing conditions where standard lures were ineffective due to snags.
Design Features and Advantages
Body Material: The use of durable plastic instead of metal allowed for a unique action and buoyancy.
Anti-Snag System: A single hook is rigidly fixed in the body. The key feature is its balance, ensuring the lure always lands and moves hook-up.
Visual Stimulation: A signature white silicone skirt creates additional vibration and mimics live bait while concealing the hook.
Applications: Where the Lure Performs Best
The Hydro Spoon was designed as a universal tool for "heavy" cover:
Dense Vegetation: Retrieval directly through lily pads and weeds.
Submerged Objects: Fishing in timber and among fallen branches.
Shallow Water: Thanks to its plastic body, the lure can be retrieved in the upper water layers, functioning as a surface skimmer.
Technical Specifications
The lure was produced in two primary sizes:
Hydro Spoon Jr. — 5.5 cm (perch, pike).
Hydro Spoon — 7.0 cm standard (largemouth bass, pike).
Current Brand Status
Today, Hydro Lures, Inc. products are no longer in production and have moved into the category of vintage tackle. They are of particular interest to collectors of American fishing history and enthusiasts targeting largemouth bass with classic methods. Plasform Inc. remains active today, though its fishing division is now a part of history.
