Museum Archive: Weedless Johnson Silver Minnow, 1/4oz Silver / Silver Plated fishing spoon #4859

Silver plating provides a much whiter and brighter flash under the surface than standard chrome or polished steel finishes. Tipping the scales at 1/4 oz (7 g) and measuring 1 3/4" (4.5 cm), this specimen represents a classic American-made piece of fishing history. Invented in 1920 by Louis Johnson to overcome dense vegetation, the spoon's specific copper-zinc alloy construction is thicker in the middle. This design causes the lure to rock back and forth through a 270-degree angle, keeping the guarded hook facing upward to avoid snags. Because the reflection is directed mainly downwards and to the sides, it targets the perspective of fish attacking from below. This specific item, identified by product code 4859, is a genuine vintage find from the era of USA production. The lure is unused, preserved in its original yellow and white carded packaging. Anglers traditionally pair this spoon with a pork rind trailer, as the weighted body maintains its rocking motion even with the extra bulk.