Museum Archive: Vintage Yakima Bait Worden’s Original Rooster Tail, 1/8oz Gold spinning lure #18049

Stamped clearly onto the gold willow leaf blade, the iconic “ROOSTER TAIL” name and Yakima Bait logo mark a design legacy that traces back to Howard Worden’s original Wisconsin workshop in the 1950s. This specimen, identified by product code 18049, features a dark, cylindrical body decorated with distinct brown circular spots, transitioning into a vibrant orange hackle feather tail. At a weight of 1/8oz (3.6g) and a length of 2" (5cm), it is sized for the stealthy presentations required in smaller, pressured trout streams. The blade itself is detailed with an etched scale pattern along the lower edge to catch light alongside its polished gold finish. Manufactured in the USA, the lure is in 5/5 condition, retaining sharp definition on the body patterns and a neatly bound feathered treble. The willow leaf blade is designed for a wide rotation to create vibration, while the hand-tied tail provides a soft profile upon splashdown.