Museum Archive: Vintage Weedless Johnson Silver Minnow, 3/16oz Silver fishing spoon #8996

Silver plating provides a more intense flash on this 3/16oz (5g) spoon than the chrome finishes common on mass-produced tackle. Measuring 1 3/4" (4.5cm), the Johnson Silver Minnow is forged from a specialized copper-zinc alloy that is intentionally thicker in the midsection. This specific lure, carrying product code 8996, features the classic weedless design with a single integrated hook and a sturdy wire guard to prevent snags in dense cover. Rated at 5/5 for its condition, the silver surface reflects light downward and to the sides to attract fish hunting from below. This US-made model maintains a stable upright position due to its unique weight distribution, allowing the hook to stay clear of lily pads and grass. Anglers often utilize the 1 3/4" (4.5cm) length to target bass and pike in heavy vegetation, frequently adding a pork rind trailer to mimic the visual cue of a wounded baitfish without altering the hardware's balance.