by Joe Cermele

If you happened to catch last Monday’s episode of “American Pickers,” you probably noticed that hosts Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz paid no mind to a Kentucky man’s insanely huge collection of old fishing tackle. I would have given anything to sift through the shelves of reels and rows of rods, even if I didn’t buy anything. But I’m betting there are lots of you that have some pretty cool old tackle tucked up in the attic, down in the basement, and in the garage. Here’s your chance to show us what you got and win some snazzy new pliers.

Here’s how it works: You take a digital picture of your old lure, reel, rod, net, box of hooks (anything goes) and email it to fstackle@gmail.com. In that email, include your name, mailing address, tell me how you acquired this item, and note any brand names or other info if available. Please photograph items one at a time, not your entire collection together. You can enter as many photos as you'd like.

Every Thursday starting next week, I’ll choose a photo and post it. But here’s the cool part: Dr. Todd Larson, a history professor at Xavier University and expert on vintage tackle, has graciously agreed to provide a little history of the item in the chosen photo, and even tell you what it could be worth. If you want some ideas of the kinds of gear to keep an eye out for, swing by Dr. Todd’s “Fishing For History” blog. His company, The Whitefish Press, also stocks a huge line of fishing history and vintage tackle books.

If I use your photo in one of the weekly posts, I’ll send you a pair of the  7" Aluminum Pliers above (plus a sheath and lanyard) courtesy of Berkley. They’re a $50 value, and I can tell you from having used them extensively last season, they’re tough, cut braid like butter, and the split-ring tooth on the nose really comes in handy.

So this weekend, do a little picking. I can’t wait to see what’s out there. And hey, Dr. Todd might just tell you that Grandpa’s bamboo rod, that garage-sale spinning reel, or rare stickbait you found at the lake is worth millions! Have fun.

Comments (10)

from buckhunter wrote 1 year 15 weeks ago

Would you like the photo any particular size?

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from Joe_Cermele wrote 1 year 15 weeks ago

Hey buck, no there are no particulars on size specs. Obviously, the clearer the better, but no other tips or specs besides that.

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from catfishonthelake wrote 1 year 15 weeks ago

I got this.

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from Jim in Mo wrote 1 year 15 weeks ago

Joe I saw that and I went nuts, there is so much antique value in lures.

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from jamesti wrote 1 year 15 weeks ago

i have some old lures that i would like to know more about. time to get on it.

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from db270 wrote 1 year 15 weeks ago

Old Montgomery Ward Sport King Model 65 baitcasting reel submitted. I can't imagine landing a catfish the size my grandad used to with that thing!

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from woodsmanj35 wrote 1 year 14 weeks ago

I can't win this one, but I have a friend who can!

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from Guy Inman wrote 50 weeks 1 day ago

I would like to send in a picture of a vitage lure - but can not get to fstackle@gmail.com

is there another site I could send it to?

Thanks Guy Inman

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from Chops wrote 45 weeks 4 days ago

I'm very fortunate that my grandfather and father (passed in 1966) were devout anglers and after my grandfather passed in 1996, I inherited ALL of his and my father's tackle, tackle boxes and all their wonderful contents! I also got an awesome 1955 Grumman Sport Canoe with a vintage Evinrude motor. (Since got rid of that in place of an '81 Johnson 7.5) I will be submitting 1st, an Original Johnson Century Reel. ALL METAL. No plastic. The leather case is somewhat aged and tattered but the reel is in Exceptional condition! Even have the original owner's manual for it! In addition, old Pfluegers, Ambassadors (with Pearl handles) and the likes. Then, I'll get into the abundant stock of vintage Heddon Lures--some still with their original boxes!

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from Chops wrote 45 weeks 2 days ago

Shucks! I just realized this article was from last February and I just fired off a bunch of cool shots of my vintage tackle in hopes of a pair of those pliers! O well...At least I finished my 'shadow-box' project for displaying the best old lures and dusted off everything else and am in the mood for building another display case for my vintage Heddon rods and various reels now!

If you guys want to though--even though it's 5 months later--you can still send me a set of those killer pliers! ;-)

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

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from Chops wrote 45 weeks 4 days ago

I'm very fortunate that my grandfather and father (passed in 1966) were devout anglers and after my grandfather passed in 1996, I inherited ALL of his and my father's tackle, tackle boxes and all their wonderful contents! I also got an awesome 1955 Grumman Sport Canoe with a vintage Evinrude motor. (Since got rid of that in place of an '81 Johnson 7.5) I will be submitting 1st, an Original Johnson Century Reel. ALL METAL. No plastic. The leather case is somewhat aged and tattered but the reel is in Exceptional condition! Even have the original owner's manual for it! In addition, old Pfluegers, Ambassadors (with Pearl handles) and the likes. Then, I'll get into the abundant stock of vintage Heddon Lures--some still with their original boxes!

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Chops wrote 45 weeks 2 days ago

Shucks! I just realized this article was from last February and I just fired off a bunch of cool shots of my vintage tackle in hopes of a pair of those pliers! O well...At least I finished my 'shadow-box' project for displaying the best old lures and dusted off everything else and am in the mood for building another display case for my vintage Heddon rods and various reels now!

If you guys want to though--even though it's 5 months later--you can still send me a set of those killer pliers! ;-)

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from buckhunter wrote 1 year 15 weeks ago

Would you like the photo any particular size?

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Joe_Cermele wrote 1 year 15 weeks ago

Hey buck, no there are no particulars on size specs. Obviously, the clearer the better, but no other tips or specs besides that.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from catfishonthelake wrote 1 year 15 weeks ago

I got this.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Jim in Mo wrote 1 year 15 weeks ago

Joe I saw that and I went nuts, there is so much antique value in lures.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from jamesti wrote 1 year 15 weeks ago

i have some old lures that i would like to know more about. time to get on it.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from db270 wrote 1 year 15 weeks ago

Old Montgomery Ward Sport King Model 65 baitcasting reel submitted. I can't imagine landing a catfish the size my grandad used to with that thing!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from woodsmanj35 wrote 1 year 14 weeks ago

I can't win this one, but I have a friend who can!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Guy Inman wrote 50 weeks 1 day ago

I would like to send in a picture of a vitage lure - but can not get to fstackle@gmail.com

is there another site I could send it to?

Thanks Guy Inman

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.