Museum Archive: Vintage South Bend Walleye Wonder 3, 1/2oz Gold spinning lure #3571

Gold plating across the teardrop-shaped blade and lead-formed body defines this South Bend Walleye Wonder 3. On the blade, the 'WALLEYE SB WONDER 3' stamp sits between bold black horizontal stripes over a textured, light-catching surface. Two translucent orange beads provide a splash of color against the wire frame, separated from the lower hook assembly by a small metal spacer. This specimen, assigned product code 3571, weighs in at 1/2oz (14g) and is built on a sturdy wire frame suitable for trolling or casting into deeper structure. South Bend's design for this series focused on durability for targeting toothy predators in North American lakes. Rated at 5/5, the finish is bright and shows no signs of use, with the single long-shank hook remaining sharp and the gold surfaces retaining their original luster. The upper arm features a twisted wire loop for secure line attachment, characteristic of mid-century American craftsmanship.