Museum Archive: Matzuo Phantom Minnow, 1/8oz Fire Tiger fishing lure #9279

Fire Tiger finishes, like the one found on this Matzuo Phantom Minnow (Product Code 9279), serve as a high-contrast standard for stained water, featuring bold black vertical bars over a metallic green back that transitions into a warm orange-gold belly. Measuring 2 1/4" (6 cm) and weighing 1/8 oz (4 g), this specimen is a suspender designed to hang neutrally in the water column. The clear, compact diving lip is engineered for shallow casting, targeting a depth range of 0-2 ft (0-0.6 m). Its construction includes a dark, solid-colored head that gives way to a detailed scale texture along the flanks. Equipped with two sharp treble hooks and a round line tie at the nose, the lure remains in unused condition, which rates a 6/5. This USA-origin minnow maintains its original luster across the finish and hardware, including the stainless split rings.