Antique fishing lures and other fishing collectibles
For
many fishermen and sports collectors, it’s fun to acquire antique
fishing lures and other angling collectibles, like tackle boxes, rods,
and reels. The interest usually lies not in the amount of money that
can be made but in the actual hunt for rare antique fishing lures.
Serious collectors will roam junk shops for hours, searching for rare
collectibles and vintage finds. The sources for these old models vary
widely. You can buy them over Ebay or at trade shows, or even at your
local thrift store if you get lucky. Other hobbyists are often the
best sources, though.
The
key to acquiring the best in antique fishing lures is copious research
and knowledge. You will not get very far with your collectibles hobby
if you’re relatively ignorant about how much different models are
worth and about what constitutes “mint” condition, etc. There are many
books on the subject. Some organizations you can contact for
information, such as the NFLCC, are very helpful as well.
Once you have researched antique fishing lures and
know most of them from pictures, you should then go to a trade show
and try handling some of the models so you can distinguish them by
more than sight. It is also a good idea to find a mentor who has been
working with these kinds of collectibles for a few years. Most
experienced collectors are happy to take an amateur under their wing
to show him or her the ropes of the hobby.
Many of the rarest antique fishing
lures were made before 1920. These collectibles were created before
mass manufacturing of tackle, so they are both more unique and scarcer
- and worth more money. Patience is a virtue in this hobby, but it
will be rewarded immensely if you learn what to look for.
Fishing Tackle |
Fishing Lures |
Fishing Rods |
Fishing Reels |
Fish Finders
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