Museum Archive: Weedless Johnson Silver Minnow, 2/5oz Gold fishing spoon #0558

Gold plating adorns the 2 1/4" (6cm) surface of this vintage spoon, offering a high-flash alternative to the traditional silver finish. Identified by product code 0558, this 2/5 oz (12g) specimen is an original USA-made model, found unused in its period-correct orange and clear packaging. The structural design incorporates a thickness at the center that encourages the lure to ride with the single guarded hook upright, a technical solution for navigating thick vegetation. This unused piece, which rates a condition 6, showcases the classic Johnson craftsmanship from before production moved overseas. Because of its specific weight distribution, the spoon rocks through a 270-degree angle to reflect light downwards and to the sides, targeting the perspective of predatory fish lurking below. The integrated weed guard remains tensioned correctly, designed to deflect stems and pads while remaining sensitive enough for a solid hookset.