Weller
Weller
The Erwin Weller Company, based in Sioux City, Iowa, represents a key chapter in the mid-20th-century history of American fishing tackle. While not as universally famous as some East Coast or Great Lakes giants, Weller carved out a significant niche with quality, innovative metal lures that remain highly sought after by collectors and savvy anglers today.
The company was active for several decades, likely reaching its peak in the 1950s and 1960s. Weller’s focus was on crafting tackle that was robust and effective, particularly spinnerbaits and spoons designed for catching popular game fish like Bass and Walleye in the heartland of America.
Though the exact timeline of the company’s end is typical of many smaller tackle manufacturers—eventually fading from the national market—its enduring legacy is preserved through its vintage catalog items (such as those from 1971) and the iconic, often rare, lures it produced. The Weller name is now a historical marker, symbolizing a time when local innovation drove the design of fishing gear.
The Bass Hawk – Speed and Flash
Among Weller's most recognizable contributions to the tackle box is the Bass Hawk lure, a classic of its kind.
The Bass Hawk epitomized the mid-century spinnerbait design—a blend of metal, flash, and motion intended to draw powerful strikes from aggressive bass.
These lures featured bright, highly reflective blades (often polished metal or painted) that created a blinding flash and powerful vibration upon retrieve. The distinct design ensures that the lure can be retrieved at varying speeds, maintaining a stable, pulsing action that perfectly mimics an injured or darting baitfish.
The Collector’s Choice: Today, the original Weller lures, particularly those still attached to their display cards (marked Erwin Weller Co., Sioux City, Iowa), are prized by collectors not just for their rarity, but for their beautiful, vintage craftsmanship. They stand as a silent testament to the efficacy of simple, well-made metal tackle.
