Alright, fellow fishing fanatics, let’s get real for a second. How many of you have that one lure, tucked away in the deepest, darkest corner of your tackle box, that you treat like a priceless artifact? You know the one—it’s got battle scars, a faded paint job, and a fish-catching reputation that’s the stuff of legends. And here’s the kicker: you can’t buy it anymore. Anywhere.
It’s a bittersweet feeling, isn’t it? Every year, the tackle shops fill up with shiny new baits promising the world, but sometimes, you just can’t beat the classics. There’s a special kind of heartache that comes with losing a favorite lure that’s been cruelly discontinued, vanished into the ether of fishing history. We’ve all been there, frantically scouring online forums or dusty old bait shops, hoping for just one more glimpse of that magic.
Well, grab your favorite rod and settle in, because we’re taking a trip down memory lane! We’ve rounded up some of those truly reliable, big-bass-producing, and occasionally trout-tempting fishing lures that, for reasons beyond our comprehension, disappeared from the shelves. We’re talking about the ones that still produce a lot of fish for us, even if we’re getting a little scared of breaking them off because they’re all discontinued. If it were up to us, these beauties would be back in production faster than you can cast a line. Let’s wax nostalgic about these forgotten gems!
1. **Strike King Wake Shad**This lure’s disappearance is still fresh in many anglers’ minds, having been discontinued only a year ago. It quickly carved out a niche for itself as a formidable search bait, a true workhorse when you needed to cover water and find those elusive bass. Its unique action and presentation made it stand out from the crowd, securing its place as a go-to for many dedicated fishermen.
The Wake Shad was particularly effective over burned-over submerged grass, a specific habitat where its design truly shone. It was also a heck of a bait around smallmouth and spotted bass, especially on clear water lakes. Anglers who knew its secrets guarded their remaining handfuls around others, a testament to its unmatched performance and rarity.
The allure of this bait wasn’t just in its effectiveness; it was in its versatility across different conditions and species. Whether you were targeting largemouth hiding in vegetation or chasing the aggressive smallmouth in clear environments, the Wake Shad consistently delivered results. Its unique wake action at the surface or just below was a magnet for curious fish.
Tragically, the rumors surrounding its demise point to a broken mold—a costly repair that led to its discontinuation. This unfortunate turn of events left a void in many tackle boxes and a collective sigh of disappointment among its loyal followers. It just goes to show how quickly a beloved lure can vanish due to manufacturing challenges.
So, if you happen to stumble upon a Strike King Wake Shad out in the wild, treat it with the reverence it deserves. For those of us who cherished its ability to consistently catch fish, especially in those specific situations, the memory of its effectiveness lingers. Here’s hoping one day the mold is fixed, or a worthy successor emerges to fill its fins!
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2. **Cotton Cordell Rattlin’ Spot G-Finish Craw**Now, let’s talk about a true blast from the past for many anglers, especially those who grew up fishing the Arkansas River. The Cotton Cordell Rattlin’ Spot G-Finish Craw was, hands down, the best lipless crankbait for many, a bait that forged countless fishing memories. Its distinctive appearance, particularly that G-finish, was something truly special and instantly recognizable.
This lure possessed a magical ability to entice fish whether they were feeding on crawfish or shad, proving its incredible adaptability. There was something undeniably effective about that specific color and G-finish combination that made it the hot ticket back in the 1980s. It just had that “it” factor that bass couldn’t resist.
Even today, dedicated anglers will still pull one of these out during the prespawn period, especially when fishing around stained water. Its classic rattling action combined with the G-finish still has the power to call in big bass. It’s a testament to its enduring design and the quality of its original craftsmanship.
Many have tried to replicate its success, even having custom lures painted up to match its iconic look. However, the sentiment is clear: none have ever truly matched the effectiveness of the original G-Finish Craw. That particular finish and color blend seemed to have a unique vibrational or visual signature that later imitations just couldn’t quite capture.
So, while new lipless crankbaits emerge constantly, the Cotton Cordell Rattlin’ Spot G-Finish Craw remains a benchmark for many. Its absence from store shelves is a poignant reminder of how some lures achieve legendary status and leave an indelible mark on fishing history, forever cherished by those who were lucky enough to cast them.
3. **Mann’s Super George**The Mann’s Super George was a fascinating hybrid, a true innovator in its time, blending the best of two popular lure categories. It combined the allure of a deep tail spinner with the noise and larger profile typically associated with a lipless crankbait. This unique fusion offered anglers a distinct advantage, providing a tool unlike anything else on the market.
Its design gave anglers a larger shad profile, which was incredibly effective for ripping baits out over deep water schooling fish. Imagine the scene: a school of bass busting on baitfish in open water, and you could cast this bad boy out there, rip it through the school, and often be rewarded with a savage strike. It filled a very specific, yet widely encountered, fishing scenario.
We still hear whispers of anglers throwing it on occasion, a testament to its enduring fish-catching capabilities. However, finding these treasures has become increasingly difficult over the years. Scouring online marketplaces like eBay for a Mann’s Super George has become a true scavenger hunt, highlighting just how rare and desired these discontinued baits truly are.
The power of the Super George lay in its ability to present a substantial meal while also creating significant commotion, attracting fish from a greater distance. The combination of its tail spinner’s flash and vibration, coupled with the body’s larger profile, created an irresistible package for aggressive bass, making it a deep-water superstar.
Its disappearance from tackle stores is a real loss for those who appreciated its unique approach to catching schooling fish and its ability to cover deep water efficiently. It served a purpose that few other lures could replicate with the same level of success, leaving a gap that many modern baits struggle to fill. The Super George truly was super!
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4. **XCalibur XCS 100 Square Lip**When you talk about lures that consistently caught big bass everywhere, the XCalibur XCS 100 Square Lip inevitably enters the conversation. This was always one of those special lures, almost a secret weapon, regardless of where it was fished. From the currents of a winding river to the vastness of a big reservoir or the intimate setting of a small pond, it consistently delivered impressive bites.
One particular color of this lure was especially effective, a shade that seemed to mimic small bluegill perfectly in the water. Interestingly, the color consistency of these lures wasn’t outstanding, with some packages labeled “Baby Smallmouth” and others “Smallmouth Green.” This slight variation, however, actually added to their mystique and effectiveness.
The inconsistent stripe thickness, some nearly all brown while others had thicker black stripes, made each lure unique. This meant that pressured bass probably never saw the exact same color twice, perhaps giving anglers an edge. This individuality became a hallmark, turning what might seem like a flaw into a distinct advantage for savvy fishermen.
Despite the variations, its core effectiveness as a clearwater crankbait remained steadfast. The XCS 100 Square Lip’s ability to imitate a small bluegill so accurately, combined with its distinct action, made it a deadly choice for enticing wary bass. It was a confidence bait for many, a lure you tied on when the bite got tough.
The unfortunate part of this story is that the entire XCalibur line eventually folded. It’s a real shame, as they produced some truly nice, higher-end lures that are now highly coveted on the second-hand market, with some selling for upwards of $40 a pop. That’s a serious price for a piece of fishing history, but for those who know, it’s worth every penny.
5. **Berkley Powerbait Thief**At first glance, the Berkley Powerbait Thief might not have looked like much—a soft plastic bait with a thin body. But oh, how deceiving appearances can be in the world of fishing lures! This unassuming plastic was a massive producer for anglers who excelled at pitching and flipping, consistently putting fish in the boat where other baits failed.
What set the Thief apart was its unique plastic formula, which felt a bit firmer than most other baits on the market. This wasn’t just a minor detail; it led to outstanding durability, meaning anglers could catch multiple fish on a single bait without it tearing apart. That kind of toughness was a real game-changer for active fishing techniques like pitching into heavy cover.
Beyond its durability, the Thief boasted legs that had an excellent action, triggered by even the slightest water movement. This subtle, lifelike quiver was incredibly enticing to bass hiding in cover, coaxing them into striking. It was the kind of action that made the bait seem alive, even when retrieved slowly or paused.
Adding to its practical advantages, the Berkley Powerbait Thief punched through cover very easily. Its streamlined, thin body allowed it to slip through thick mats of vegetation or dense brush with minimal resistance, getting right into the strike zone where big bass often hide. This made it an ideal choice for flipping into dense cover.
And here’s the kicker: these incredible baits used to retail for just $4.49 per 8-pack, offering phenomenal value for the angler. It’s truly a bummer to see it go, and the thought of having only one single pack left, as some of us do, is enough to make you consider hitting up eBay, hoping against hope to find more of this legendary plastic.
Alright, fishing friends, if you thought we were done waxing nostalgic about the legends, think again! We’re only just getting started on this journey through the annals of angling history. There are still more titans of the tackle box that deserve their moment in the spotlight, lures that, for various reasons, have slipped through the cracks of mass production but continue to haunt our fishing dreams. Get ready to dive deeper into the stories of four more iconic baits that left an indelible mark on our hearts and, more importantly, on the jaws of countless fish.
These aren’t just any old baits; these are the workhorses, the secret weapons, the ones that made us feel like fishing gods. They embody that perfect blend of innovation, effectiveness, and sometimes, a little bit of pure magic. So, let’s unearth a few more of these classic, often-forgotten beauties, delve into their historical significance, their specific fishing applications, and why, even years after their disappearance, they still hold such a special, almost mythical, place in the angler’s psyche. Prepare for more glorious throwbacks that make us wish we had a time machine and an unlimited tackle budget!
6. **Original Cotton Cordell Big O**The Original Cotton Cordell Big O—now there’s a name that conjures up images of bass exploding on the surface around dense cover! This was one of the very first truly effective squarebill crankbaits, a revolutionary design that opened up new possibilities for anglers wanting to fish in and around snags without getting hopelessly hung up. Its ability to deflect off timber and rocks, mimicking a fleeing baitfish, was simply unmatched in its heyday.
Even today, decades after its prime, the Big O still commands a very strong following among dedicated collectors and those savvy anglers who still possess a few of these vintage beauties. They don’t just sit on a shelf, though; these guys are still being tied on and cast, a testament to their enduring fish-catching power. The confidence that comes with throwing an Original Big O is a special kind of feeling, knowing you’re using a piece of history that still puts fish in the boat.
A key to its success was its unique molded bill, which, despite appearing small, produced a tight, irresistible wobble that was a true game-changer. This distinctive action was a major differentiator, setting it apart from other lures of its era. It just had that subtle-yet-effective vibration that bass found impossible to ignore, especially when they were finicky or pressured.
Early models of the Big O also included a built-in rattle, a feature that was quite advanced for its time. This internal noisemaker was incredibly effective at calling fish from under blowdowns and out of thick vegetation, adding another layer of attraction to an already stellar bait. It was designed to reach out and grab the attention of those hidden lunkers, and it certainly did its job well.
The Big O was produced in a multitude of colors, from natural shad patterns to vibrant chartreuse, offering anglers a wide range of options to match local forage and water conditions. Aficionados particularly loved its ability to be cast long distances and its versatility to run anywhere from just under the surface to nearly four feet deep, making it a truly adaptable weapon in any angler’s arsenal. While modern versions exist, it’s the *original* models that are always thought of as the best, embodying a legendary status that current iterations struggle to replicate.
7. **Original Bomber Model A**Talk about a lure with a personality! The Original Bomber Model A, shaped distinctively like a World War II bomb, was truly designed with a specific purpose in mind: to perfectly imitate a crawfish scurrying away from danger. This iconic design, with its unique profile and action, made it a standout in the tackle boxes of serious anglers for generations, and its absence is still felt today.
A particularly innovative feature was its flat metal tail and an adjustable line-tie. That line-tie wasn’t just for looks; it could be moved to allow the lure to dive deeper, giving anglers control over their presentation. This level of customization was a significant advantage, allowing the Bomber to effectively work depths of 10 to 12 feet, reaching those deeper-holding bass that other lures might miss.
Its backward-swept shape wasn’t just for aesthetics either; it was a casting machine! Anglers could launch this bad boy a mile, covering vast stretches of water with ease, a critical advantage when searching for active fish. Imagine being able to reach that distant cover or structure that other baits just couldn’t touch – that was the power of the Bomber Model A.
One minor “quirk” of the original design was its unique hook hangers, which, at times, could cause the lure to bind a bit and allow fish to gain leverage. While this might sound like a drawback, for many, it was just part of the Bomber’s character, a small trade-off for its otherwise stellar performance. Despite this, the Bomber was easily tuned and remarkably adept at deflecting off stumps and hard cover, making it a fantastic choice for fishing around structure.
The Bomber Model A truly excelled in the post-spawn period, when bass were often recuperating and focused on bottom-dwelling prey like crawfish. Many anglers, including legendary figures, recall buying all the crazy colors they could find, believing these vibrant hues seemed to catch even more fish, especially in highly pressured lakes. It’s even rumored that the first tournament a certain Terry ever won was on this very bait, and he still treasures several in his collection, speaking volumes about its legacy.
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8. **Limberneck Spinnerbait**Now here’s a lure that truly lived up to its name and innovated a category! The Limberneck Spinnerbait, produced by Brothers and Company, was a radical departure from the norm. Instead of the rigid wire arm common to most spinnerbaits, the Limberneck incorporated a flexible cable for its blades. This seemingly simple change was a stroke of genius, allowing the lure to work exceptionally well in and over grass, minimizing snagging and maximizing fish appeal.
This flexibility made it a go-to choice for fishing river systems, where vegetation and varied cover are commonplace. It was particularly effective on rip-rap, the rocky banks found on many waterways, where its design allowed it to crawl and deflect without getting hung up, mimicking a baitfish darting through the rocks. This versatility made it an indispensable tool for many river anglers.
Brothers and Company paid attention to the details, offering a unique split-tail trailer that perfectly complemented the bullet-shaped head of the spinnerbait. Beyond that, all the skirts were meticulously hand-tied with thread, a mark of quality craftsmanship that ensured better staying power and a more lifelike pulsation in the water. These weren’t mass-produced, flimsy baits; they were built to last and to perform.
Anglers often favored the 3/8 and 1/2-ounce models, finding them easier to cast accurately, allowing for precise presentations to hidden bass. The distinctive head shape further aided its effectiveness, deflecting well off various types of cover, which helped trigger reaction strikes. While the willow blade was the most popular configuration, the twin Indiana blades were known to be an absolute killer on the river, adding a different flash and vibration profile.
Like many effective lures, the Limberneck came in every color of the rainbow, but the chartreuse/blue and white combination was a perennial favorite among many. As a bonus, Brothers and Company also crafted a bent-shaft buzz bait called a ‘Buzzard.’ This buzz bait featured a business side to the arm where the hook was bent down for better hookups, solving a common problem with traditional buzz baits. The 1/2-ounce model of the Buzzard was often considered the best, being easier to throw and just as effective, showcasing the innovative spirit of the company behind these iconic lures.
9. **Yakima Worden’s Flatfish**For many younger anglers today, the Yakima Worden’s Flatfish might be a relic, a peculiar-looking lure that’s more likely to be found in a dusty antique shop than a modern tackle box. But for those in the know, especially the older generation who swear by its effectiveness, this ‘old’ lure grandad used to fish is a genuine classic whose lack of current use is nothing short of a travesty. It’s a real shame because the Flatfish possesses some of the best action at even the slowest retrieve speeds, making it an absolute gem when water conditions are cold and fish are lethargic.
The fascinating story behind the Flatfish begins with Charles Helin, a Detroit auto-worker whose passion for making lures rivaled his day job. Helin was a true innovator, with over 100 lure variations to his name, but his magnum opus was undoubtedly the original Flatfish, which he meticulously created in the early 1930s. His vision was to craft a lightweight swimming plug that could maintain its captivating action even at the most agonizingly slow retrieval rates, a challenge many lures of the time failed to meet.
His creation was a distinctive, banana-shaped lure—a design that immediately caught the eye and, more importantly, the fish. Helin’s design was not just a success; it was a phenomenon. The Flatfish took the angling world by storm, selling over 5 million copies between 1935 and 1949. This incredible feat cemented its status as the biggest selling minnow plug in the entire world for a significant period. It truly revolutionized the way anglers approached slow-retrieve presentations.
However, as is often the case in the dynamic world of fishing tackle, its immense popularity began to wane over the years. This decline wasn’t due to a fault in its design or effectiveness, but rather because the market became flooded with newer, more ‘modern’ minnow-imitating lures. Many of these newer designs promised the world, but few, if any, could perform anywhere near as well as the Flatfish at that critical slow retrieval rate. It slowly faded from the mainstream, becoming a forgotten treasure.
Even all these years later, the Flatfish remains an excellent trout lure, and a secret weapon for those who understand its unique capabilities. It’s a confidence bait that deserves a spot in every tackle box, especially when conditions call for a subtle, enticing presentation. The enduring legacy of the Flatfish is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the true classics, despite being overlooked, never truly lose their magic. Always keep an eye out for these, because a reliable old friend is sometimes exactly what you need.
Well, there you have it, fellow tackle box archaeologists! Our nostalgic journey through the forgotten gems of fishing history comes to an end, at least for now. It’s clear that these lures aren’t just pieces of plastic and metal; they’re woven into the fabric of our fishing memories, sparking tales of epic battles and personal bests. From the revolutionary squarebills to the innovative cable-arm spinnerbaits and the slow-action wonders, each one represents a golden era of angling, a time when innovation met pure fish-catching effectiveness.
It’s a bittersweet thought that many of these treasures are no longer readily available, forcing us to guard our remaining few with the vigilance of a dragon hoarding gold. But perhaps their scarcity only adds to their allure, making each cast with one of these vintage beauties a moment to truly savor. Let’s keep their legacies alive, sharing stories, and perhaps, inspiring a new generation to appreciate the timeless artistry and effectiveness of these truly reliable fishing lures that, for reasons we may never fully understand, vanished from our tackle boxes, but never from our hearts. Here’s to the legends, both remembered and yet to be discovered!
