Museum Archive: Weedless Johnson Silver Minnow, 3/4oz Gold (24 Carat Gold Plated) fishing spoon #11648

Gleaming under a 24-carat gold plating, this 3/4 oz (21 g) spoon represents a high-water mark for the weedless designs first pioneered by Louis Johnson in 1920. Measuring 2 3/4" (7 cm) in length, this specific lure carries product code 11648 and arrives in its original orange cardboard box. For a collector, finding this vintage USA-made specimen in unused condition is a rare treat, as the gold finish retains the bright, mirror-like quality intended to signal fish from a distance. The spoon's construction utilizes a thicker mid-section, a technical choice designed to maintain a hook-up orientation when navigating heavy vegetation. Included on the vintage packaging are original instructions on how to dress the guarded hook with pork rind or plastic trailers to mimic wounded prey. This piece showcases the classic teardrop shape and weed guard that became a staple in tackle boxes across the continent. The exterior of the box provides a look at mid-century fishing advice, emphasizing the utility of the design in pockets and holes.