Museum Archive: Vintage Rapala Original Floater, 3/16oz Orange fishing lure #4519

Resting at a weight of 3/16 oz (5 g), this 4" (10 cm) Rapala Original Floater showcases a striking orange back that fades into textured gold sides over a pale belly. Bearing product code 4519, this specimen represents the timeless balsa wood craftsmanship pioneered in Finland. The distinctive red lip is designed to reach depths of 3ft to 5ft (0.9 m to 1.5 m) when cranked, though its natural buoyancy allows it to be worked right on the surface. Rated at a condition of 4/5, it displays a light character of use across its three treble hooks and wooden body, consistent with a lure that has seen water. Its construction allows for effective use in both casting and trolling applications, often tweaked by anglers with the addition of a split shot to vary the depth. The hand-painted yellow eyes with black pupils sit near the front, just above the red-stained diving plane.