Museum Archive: Vintage Rapala Original Floater F5, 3/32oz fishing lure #12279

Balsa wood construction defines the heritage of the Rapala Original Floater F5, maintaining the buoyant properties sought after since Lauri Rapala’s early innovations. Produced in Ireland under product code 12279, the 2" (5 cm) body is finished in a classic blue-over-silver scale pattern with a distinctive red gill slash and yellow eyes. Tipping the scales at a delicate 3/32 oz (2.5 g), this minnow is built for light-tackle casting or trolling with a targeted diving depth of 2 ft to 6 ft (0.6 m - 1.8 m). The clear diving lip remains firmly seated, and the original hardware is intact, reflecting a high-quality 5/5 condition. Known for versatility across the water column, it can be fished as a surface bait or worked down to hover when paired with light split shots. The silver foil finish under the blue back provides a subtle flash typical of the Irish production era.