Museum Archive: Vintage Weedless Johnson Silver Minnow, 3/16oz Yellow / Red fishing spoon #8492

Stamped clearly on the reverse of this 3/16oz (5g) spoon are the identifiers 'JOHNSON'S SILVER MINNOW' and the patent date of August 22, 1920. This specific model 8492 features a vibrant yellow enamel finish with a bold diagonal red stripe across the body. At 1 3/4" (4.5cm) long, the lure's construction relies on a copper and zinc alloy base that is noticeably thicker in the center. A classic wire guard extends over the hook point to enable fishing through lily pads and grass without snagging. The paint shows slight softening around the edges and tiny chips from age, resulting in a well-preserved 4/5 condition rating. The integrated single hook remains stout, typical of the early Louis Johnson designs that were famously built to withstand heavy vegetation. Small bits of the base metal are visible beneath the yellow paint on the underside where the stamping is deepest. This particular color scheme was often paired with a pork rind trailer to mimic distressed baitfish in darker water.