Museum Archive: Johnson Sprite, 1/2oz Nickel fishing spoon #5065

At a substantial 1/2 oz (14 g), this spoon is sized for deep-water presentations and long-distance casting. The high-flash nickel finish on this 2 1/4" (6 cm) Johnson Sprite remains brilliant behind the original clear plastic. Stamped with product code 5065, this particular specimen is an unused example of American tackle history, carrying a condition rating of 6. The packaging identifies its origin in Mankato, Minnesota, a detail highly regarded by collectors since modern versions of this model are no longer produced in the U.S.A. Its hardware consists of a sharp treble hook paired with a red tube teaser, intended to provide a secondary focal point during the retrieve. Technical details on the carding specify that the lure's shape is engineered to produce a wobble that persists at various speeds.