Museum Archive: Vintage Marathon Marathon, 3/16oz Light Blue / Nickel fishing spoon #4161

A distinctive light blue honeycomb scale pattern covers the convex side of this classic spoon, a signature look from the Marathon Bait Company. Measuring 1 3/4" (4.5cm) and weighing 3/16oz (5.5g), this mid-century specimen represents the height of Wisconsin's lure manufacturing history. Turning the lure over reveals a clean nickel-plated finish stamped with the "MARATHON" name in an elegant arc, identifying it as product code 4161. The company operated out of Wausau, Wisconsin, from 1929 to 1979, and pieces like this show why they remained a staple for fifty years. Hardware includes a solid split ring attached to a vintage treble hook that shows light signs of its age. The condition is rated 4/5, maintaining most of its original paint and reflective surface. It was designed for light casting or trolling, where the spoon’s teardrop shape and weight distribution allowed it to stay deep in the water column.