Museum Archive: Vintage Johnson Silver Minnow, 3/16oz gold fishing spoon #21305

Glistening with a rich gold finish, this 3/16 oz (5 g) spoon represents a classic solution for casting into heavy vegetation. Measuring 1 3/4" (4.5 cm) in length, the inner face displays clear stamped lettering including the historic patent date of September 12, 1923. Louis Johnson originally engineered this design using a copper and zinc alloy that is thicker in the center, which helps the lure maintain an upright posture to minimize snags. This specific specimen, cataloged as product code 21305, is equipped with the signature integrated wire weed guard protecting the fixed hook. The gold plating is exceptionally well-preserved across the entire spoon, earning a condition rating of 5/5. Every detail of the construction, from the wire eyelet to the guard alignment, reflects the early 20th-century craftsmanship that made this weedless model a staple in vintage tackle boxes.