Museum Archive: Vintage Unknown Wooden Pencil Plug, 1/3oz fishing lure #14489

A classic yellow-to-orange gradient defines the belly of this wooden surface bait, transitioning into deep blue and forest green tones along its back. Measuring 5" (13 cm), the lure’s slender profile and cupped face are designed for topwater casting, a staple technique for targeting pike and perch. This specific specimen, cataloged under product code 14489, reflects traditional USA manufacturing through its hand-painted finish and solid wood body. The hardware consists of three belly and tail treble hooks secured with vintage-style screw-eyes. At a weight of 1/3 oz (8.5 g), the lure remains in excellent structural shape, showing only light surface wear and minor paint loss near the hardware points, earning a 4/5 condition rating. The simple, dark eye design and the tapered tail highlight the minimalist aesthetic common in mid-century wooden plugs.