Ol' lures VI
Jul 11, 2020 17:41:38 #
Does anyone know this old wooden lure from Florida? The circle of paint dots around the eyes should give it away.
Jul 11, 2020 18:08:46 #
Geomike wrote:
Does anyone know this old wooden lure from Florida? The circle of paint dots around the eyes should give it away.
Jim Pfeffer?
Jul 11, 2020 18:16:06 #
Jul 11, 2020 18:34:34 #
Looks like a devil's horse. Made by smithwick. But I don't know the significance of the spots. I know you can still buy a brand new one if you want one. Probably not made of wood.
Jul 12, 2020 09:30:33 #
msmllm
Loc: Huntington, WV
Geomike wrote:
Does anyone know this old wooden lure from Florida? The circle of paint dots around the eyes should give it away.
sure is a pretty lure
Jul 12, 2020 15:12:49 #
I have several of those. I have some that the paint is scratched off due to fish I have caught with them. Spirit knows, devil horse by Smithwick. The spots was for the fisherman to buy, will not catch more fish with them. I just checked mine, and I have three sets of hooks and the eyes are facing down, and I have another, that the body is larger at the first set of hooks, than others. Variations?
Jul 13, 2020 18:09:50 #
Spirit and Harris. Smithwick lures were made in Shreveport, LA not in Florida. (later bought by Pradco).
This lure is a Dillinger 200 series made by Eger Bait Manufacturing Co., Bartow, Florida.
It is a Junior Dillinger due to the two sets of treble hooks rather than three sets (Master Dillinger).
It is named after the infamous John Dillinger due to the black and white bars that simulate the prison uniforms of the time. The circle of dots around the eyes (whether they attracted fish or not) was a common detail on many paint patterns produced by Eger. His company was later bought by Rhoden Enterprises of Florida and apparently still produced a few lures into the nineties.
This lure is a Dillinger 200 series made by Eger Bait Manufacturing Co., Bartow, Florida.
It is a Junior Dillinger due to the two sets of treble hooks rather than three sets (Master Dillinger).
It is named after the infamous John Dillinger due to the black and white bars that simulate the prison uniforms of the time. The circle of dots around the eyes (whether they attracted fish or not) was a common detail on many paint patterns produced by Eger. His company was later bought by Rhoden Enterprises of Florida and apparently still produced a few lures into the nineties.
Jul 13, 2020 18:26:16 #
I'm not sure of all this, because I bought these lures, and they had 'devil horse' on the box. I also have one that is all silver with three sets of hooks. Still don't remember any Dillinger baits. Maybe my mind is slipping, it is slipping, but still you do make a very valid point. Thanks Mike for the history lesson.
Jul 13, 2020 18:47:45 #
Hey Harris. Sometimes my mind slips a bit too. It's called getting old. Smithwick (before it was bought out by Praco) never made a lure that looks like a Dillinger except for the thin shape and two props. Also Devils Horses had a sharper taper toward the ends and had eccentric eyes which was unique to the brand. I have some old Devils Horses and will send you a photo when (and if) I can find them.
Pradco bought the rights to several of the major lure companies such as Bomber, Creek Chub, Lazy Ike, Heddon, Rebel, and Smithwick. They still produce many of the old lures under the original names but if you look at the small print you will see "Pradco Outdoor Brands, Inc.".
Pradco bought the rights to several of the major lure companies such as Bomber, Creek Chub, Lazy Ike, Heddon, Rebel, and Smithwick. They still produce many of the old lures under the original names but if you look at the small print you will see "Pradco Outdoor Brands, Inc.".
Jul 13, 2020 19:18:58 #
Harris. I couldn't find my lures but here are a couple photos from one of my lure collectors books that show Smithwicks and more specifically Devils Horses. Notice the difference in shape from the Dillingers and how the eyes are more on the underside on Smithwicks have irises and pupils moved forward. Also the hardware is different. The Smithies have hook hangers and the Eger Dillingers use hook eyes.
Jul 13, 2020 20:41:06 #
All mine have the hook hangers, and the underside eyes. But have the strips on one of them and broken lines on the other, the third is just all silver, with underside eyes and a fat body at the first set of hooks.
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