Museum Archive: Vintage Johnnie O'Neil Weedless Weed Wing Jonny ONeils, 1/3oz Nickel fishing spoon #5348

Spanning 2 1/4" (6cm) in length, this specimen’s high-polish Nickel surface prominently displays the "WEED WING" and "PATENTED" engravings. This 1/3oz (9g) lure, identified by product code 5348, represents the mid-century ingenuity of Johnnie O’Neil, who finalized his patent for this design in 1962 in Akron, Ohio. The hardware consists of a sturdy single hook shielded by a springy, two-pronged wire weed guard intended for fishing through dense vegetation. Its distinctive "wings" are securely fixed to the forward section near the line-tie eyelet, an architectural feature that defines the model's profile. Produced in the USA before the brand was sold to Harrison Industries in the mid-1960s, the lure is preserved in 5/5 condition. The reflective finish remains exceptionally bright across the teardrop-shaped body, showcasing the high standard of early American tackle manufacturing.