Museum Archive: Vintage South Bend Fish Obite, 2/5oz Perch fishing lure #12481

A length of 2 1/4" (6 cm) makes the South Bend Fish Obite a compact piece of angling history, particularly in this recognizable Perch finish. This specimen, product code 12481, weighs 2/5 oz (12 g) and features the iconic spoon-style metal lip stamped with the South Bend name and patent markings. Looking at the top of the body, the name is embossed directly into the surface, while the perch pattern displays fine cross-hatching and dark vertical bars over a golden-brown base. The black-painted head highlights the yellow eyes with black pupils, accented by a small red paint strike near the line tie. Equipped with two original treble hooks, this lure maintains a 4/5 condition rating, showing it has been well-maintained over the decades while preserving its clean, classic aesthetic. Every detail from the metal stamp to the scale texture reflects its mid-century USA origins.