Museum Archive: Mepps Aglia 5, 1/2oz Silver spinning lure #2299

Silver-finished French blades like the one on this Aglia 5 have been a staple in tackle boxes since Andre Meulnart's 1938 invention. Weighing 1/2oz (14g) with a total length of 3 1/4" (8.25 cm), this specimen carries the larger profile often preferred for pike, bass, or heavy-water trout. This specific unit, identified by product code 2299, features a high-polish silver blade paired with a treble hook that includes a red-orange plastic tube. Still housed in its original blue and yellow "World's #1 Lure" carded packaging, the lure is unused. The stamping on the blade is crisp, noting the Aglia name which became a household term in American fishing after Todd Sheldon began importing them to Wisconsin in the 1960s. The mechanical design centers on a cone rotation system intended to facilitate blade movement at various speeds. A sturdy wire shaft secures the components, ensuring the alignment of the silver blade remains consistent during a standard retrieve.