Museum Archive: Johnson Silver Minnow (1980s), 1/2oz silver fishing spoon #18957

Gold plating on this specific specimen provides a high-visibility flash, ideal for drawing attention in varied water conditions. This 1/2 oz (14 g) lure measures 2 3/4" (7 cm) in length and is identified by product code 18957. Found in unused condition within its original 1980s-era packaging, it represents a time when these were still manufactured in the USA. The forged spoon is constructed from a heavy copper and zinc alloy, featuring a distinct thickness in the middle that helps the lure maintain a hook-up position during a retrieve. A stiff wire guard covers the single hook, a design choice meant to navigate thick vegetation without snagging. While the model is famously known as the Silver Minnow, this gold-finished version offers a different spectral reflection for the angler. The card back mentions it is a "weedless wonder" that casts like a bullet, owing to its streamlined, teardrop profile. Every detail, from the crisp lettering on the packaging to the bright finish on the metal, confirms this item has never been fished.