Museum Archive: Vintage Johnson Sprite, 1/3oz Gold fishing spoon #11516

Stamped clearly on the back of the polished gold body is the 'JOHNSON'S SPRITE' identifier, marking this as a classic piece of American-made tackle history. The finish on this 11516 model is remarkably clean, reflecting a condition rating of 5/5. Weighing 1/3 oz (10 g) and measuring 2 1/4" (5.5 cm), this spoon hails from the era when Johnson lures were still manufactured in the USA before production moved to China. A notable feature of this specimen is the small pink plastic attractor fin attached to the split ring, designed to provide a flash of color near the treble hook. The construction includes a robust silver split ring at the head for line attachment and a second at the tail to secure the hardware. This teardrop-shaped lure is built for casting and trolling, maintaining its luster and structural integrity across all components.