Museum Archive: Other The Secret Weapon No. 59 (1950s) Bait Rig , Nickel/Red fishing #17653

Deep red and creamy ivory swirls decorate the curved blade of this mid-century bait rig. Produced by the Secret Weapon Company out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, under product code 17653, the No. 59 system was engineered for versatile applications including trolling, drifting, rowing, or casting. The assembly features a Nickel/Red revolving component attached to a bead chain, designed to be used in conjunction with a 30-inch (76.2 cm) leader as detailed in the original documentation. Anglers in the 1950s utilized this rig to add revolving movement to minnows, worms, or wet flies. This specimen remains unused, appearing just as it did decades ago, and is accompanied by its clear plastic case and the original instruction sheet. The provided leaflet suggests using a pencil-style hanging sinker to prevent line twist while the rig revolves behind the boat.