Museum Archive: Kmart Kresge #K02, 1/2oz Tiger fishing lure #11896

Weighing in at 1/2 oz (14 g), this vintage find from the Kmart Kresge era showcases a classic Tiger pattern with bold black vertical stripes over a bright yellow body. Measuring 2 1/2" (6.5 cm) in length, the lure is equipped with a broad diving lip designed to target depths from 3 ft (0.9 m) up to 7 ft (2.1 m). This specific specimen, cataloged under product code 11896, is a floating, noisy model manufactured in Japan for the Kmart Corporation. The construction features a distinct red throat accent and prominent yellow eyes with large black pupils, typical of mid-century Japanese production for the American market. Its hardware consists of two sets of treble hooks, with the front hook positioned on the belly and the rear at the tail. This Kmart Kresge #K02 remains unused, still housed in its original red and teal carded blister pack. The factory packaging highlights its suitability for casting or trolling, with the clear plastic bubble preserving the original paint finish and hardware in excellent state.