Museum Archive: Vintage Johnson Beetle Spin, 1/3oz Nickel / Black spinning lure #0980

Weighing in at 1/3 oz (9 g), this American-made spinnerbait pairs a classic nickel-finished blade with a segmented black soft plastic body. The Beetle Spin design from Johnson is a cornerstone of light-tackle fishing, utilizing a safety-pin style wire harness and a single gold-finished hook. Measuring 2 3/4 inches (7 cm), the soft body features prominent ridges along its profile that transition into a delicate split tail. Identified by product code 0980, this specimen is in great shape with a 4/5 rating, maintaining a clean finish on the hardware and a supple texture on the plastic component. The nickel blade is stamped with the brand's identity, a hallmark of its manufacturing origin in the USA. Tiny glints of glitter are embedded within the black plastic, providing a subtle contrast to the dark, ribbed silhouette.