Bailey & Elliot, Manitou Minnow, Rochester, Indiana Antique Lure

The Manitou Minnow is probably the most sought after Indiana lure ever made.  This 3 3/4" wooden, glass eye lure has 5 hooks and the hooks rest on a long rod that goes completely through the lure.   This rod can be removed, and the hooks changed, using a small brass wrench that came with each lure. 

This old lure was made in Rochester, Indiana for a very short time during the early 1900s.  It came in 4 colors, but the green/yellow one pictures seems to be the most common color.  The four colors offered were:  Solid Red, dark green with yellow body, dark green with white body, pale green with white belly.

If you have any antique fishing lures for sale, please contact me at indianatravis@gmail.com or visit http://www.indianafishinglures.com .  I collect mostly lures that were made in Indiana and if you are from Indiana I can meet with you to see what you've got!!!!

I Will Buy Old Fishing Lures & Antique Tackle (Especially Lures Made in Indiana http://www.old-fishing-lures.com )

I buy old fishing lures and antique fishing tackle for my collection.   If you have any vintage fishing lures for sale, please send an email to indianatravis@gmail.com or visit http://www.indianafishinglures.com and contact me from that old fishing lure web site.

I like to buy lures that were made in Indiana, but I will buy other old lures as well.   Some Indiana lures I buy include Outing, Bite 'em, Staley-Johnson, Homarth, Creek Chub, South Bend, etc.

Skipper Bill Lure Made In Mars Hill, Indianapolis, Indiana

The Skipper Bill lure was produced in small quantities for a very short time during the 40-50s.  The lure was manufactured by the Mars Hill Wood Product Company at 3638 W. Troy Ave in Indianapolis, Indiana (Mars Hill area). 

The Mars Hill Wood Product Company produced pallets and furniture, but when orders were slow they would take the scraps and make clothes pins.   At some point they decided to use the scraps to make bobbers, then later the Mars Hill Skipper Bill lure.

These old Indiana wood lures measure approximately 2 3/4" and they are eerily similar to Homarth Near Surface Lures.  Apparently the accessories were more important to Homarth, as the metal "wings" of the Mars Hill lure are stapled to the side of the lure.

While the lures are rare, the boxes are even more elusive.....there are only 5 known to exist!

side view showing "wings" stapled to body

wood lure with painted eyes

EXTREMELY rare Mars Hill Skipper Bill Box

If you have any old or antique lures that were made in Indiana, please call me at 317-216-4331 or e-mail indianatravis@gmail.com

I collect any old fishing lures that were manufactured in Indiana.  Visit http://www.indianafishinglures.com/ for more information on Indiana-Made lures.