Museum Archive: Vintage Matzuo Popper, 1/4oz Silver / Light Blue fishing lure #7986

Weighing in at 1/4oz (7g), this surface popper from Matzuo is a classic choice for ultralight casting when targeting pike or perch. The silver sides are complemented by a light blue and dark teal patterned back, providing a realistic baitfish profile from below. Adorning the belly is a crisp red "MATZUO AMERICA" stamp, indicating its origin for the American market. This specimen, assigned product code 7986, measures 2 1/2" (6.5 cm) and features a distinctive red-painted cupped mouth designed to push water across the surface. Its construction includes a small central tube through the mouth to facilitate the lure's specialized topwater performance. The finish shows soft signs of previous adventures, with light wear around the large gold-rimmed eyes and head, resulting in a condition rating of 4/5. Two sharp treble hooks are secured by robust split rings to ensure reliable hooksets.