Museum Archive: Vintage Wright & McGill Pay-master, 1/4oz gold fishing spoon #22818

Gold plating covers the 1 1/2" (3.5 cm) teardrop-shaped body of this vintage spoon, featuring a distinct embossed scale pattern across its lower two-thirds. Produced by Wright & McGill under the Pay-master name with Product Code 22818, this 1/4 oz (7 g) lure represents mid-century American tackle design. The smooth head section is separated from the scaled body by a series of curved etched lines, leading to a clean line-tie hole at the narrow end. A sturdy bronzed treble hook is secured to the tail by a split ring, maintaining the original configuration of this USA-made rarity. The surface displays minor signs of handling and light wear consistent with a 4/5 condition rating, which emphasizes the deep texture of the metalwork. This specific gold finish was designed to provide a bright flash during retrieval, reflecting the light through the stamped scale details. The construction is solid, utilizing a heavy gauge metal for the 1/4 oz (7 g) blade to ensure it casts effectively even in windy conditions.