Museum Archive: Vintage Weedless Johnson Silver Minnow (1970s), 1/2oz fishing spoon #14978

Weighing in at 1/2oz (14g), this classic spoon represents the original craftsmanship of the Louis Johnson Company out of Highland Park, Illinois. The 2 1/4" (6cm) body is plated with genuine silver, which provides a distinctively bright flash compared to modern chrome finishes. This specific specimen, cataloged under product code 14978, is unused and remains sealed in its vintage orange blister packaging. The design utilizes a unique copper and zinc alloy, engineered with a thicker center to facilitate a rocking motion that covers a 270-degree angle. This movement keeps the single guarded hook upright to navigate through lily pads and dense brush. According to the original instructions on the back of the card, the spoon is best utilized with a pork strip or skirt to mimic a wounded baitfish. The silver plating is intended to direct light downwards and to the sides where predatory fish are most likely to strike.