Museum Archive: Vintage Marathon (with sonic blades), 2/5oz Brown / Nickel fishing spoon #9478

Brown enamel covers the front of this 2 1/4" (6cm) casting spoon, highlighted by a central faceted, diamond-pattern reflective sticker that catches light from multiple angles. This specimen reflects the mid-century craftsmanship of the Marathon Bait Company, a Wisconsin staple that operated from 1929 until 1979. Weighing in at 2/5oz (12g), the lure features a distinctive "sonic blade" design where two small, oval metal blades are attached to split rings right above the treble hook to provide additional flash. On the reverse side, the clean nickel finish is clearly stamped with the "MARATHON" name, confirming its origin under product code 9478. Rated at 5/5, the lure shows very little sign of its age, with the brown paint remaining vibrant and the metal components bright. The construction includes a robust treble hook and a pre-drilled line tie at the tapered nose, typical of the versatile lures produced in the USA during Marathon's fifty-year history.