Museum Archive: Vintage Weedless Johnson Silver Minnow UV, 2/5oz Silver / Orange fishing spoon #12487

A striking neon orange finish coats the face of this 2 1/4" (6 cm) spoon, providing a high-visibility contrast against the silver-plated body. This Weedless Johnson Silver Minnow UV, carrying Product Code 12487, weighs 12g (2/5 oz) and represents a modern color evolution of Louis Johnson’s original 1920 design. Unlike standard chrome finishes, this specimen utilizes silver plating to produce a brighter, whiter flash. The orange top layer is specifically designed for UV reactivity; in low-light conditions, it emits a deep, luminous glow as shown in the dark-room imagery. The construction features a copper-zinc alloy spoon that is notably thicker in the center, a geometry that helps keep the single hook upright. This balance, combined with the integrated wire weed guard, allows for navigation through heavy lily pads or timber. Being a vintage USA-made piece, the build quality reflects the original specifications before production moved abroad. The silver plating and the UV-reactive paint show very little wear, and the hardware remains structurally sound, earning this lure a 4/5 condition rating.