by Joe Cermele

Here's a fitting winner in our ongoing vintage tackle contest given that it appears a new world-record striped bass was recently caught. The photo of these Bass Bombs was sent in by Robert Woods, and as an avid surfcaster I really enjoy old lures designed to entice cows in the waves. Robert wrote:

Here are a couple of Bass Bombs made in Dighton, MA, from 1949 to 1955. The hook slides off and can be fished from both ends to change the action of the plug. These two were found at a yard sale in Dighton where I live. I've yet to find another one of them or find out much about them.

According to vintage tackle expert Dr. Todd Larson of The Whitefish Press and "Fishing For History" blog, Robert has some interesting and rare pieces of post-WWII tackle. Dr. Todd says:

"You've got a nifty, and fairly uncommon, piece of post-World War II saltwater striper tackle. The Bass Bomb Bait Company of Dighton, Mass. manufactured a well-designed and heavy surfcasting plug beginning in 1949. It was 6.25" long and weighed a full 3 3/4 ounces and was billed as reversible -- you could switch the line tie from the front of the lure to the back to change the action of this lure. Although the boxes (and some of the lures) are marked "Patent Pending" it is unknown whether a patent was actually granted; I would suspect not. Little is known about the Bass Bomb company because it was not in business long, as it was no longer listed in the Fishing Tackle Trade Directory in 1953. Their "mahogany" color schemes and colorful picture box make them very collectable surf baits that would sell in the box for $50-$75 each. You can see a larger image of a Bass Bomb by clicking here."

Congrats on a cool find, Robert. If you ever want to get rid of those, let's talk. They'd look great on my office shelf! Enjoy the new Cabelas' 50th Anniversary Fillet Knife headed your way. Special thanks to Cabela's for providing these awesome prizes for the next few weeks of the contest.

If you've already sent me photos of your vintage tackle, keep checking every Thursday to see if I chose it for an appraisal by Dr. Todd. If you haven't and want to enter the contest, email photos of your old tackle to fstackle@gmail.com, along with your name, mailing address, and story of how you acquired the gear. If I use it in a Thursday post, you get a limited edition Cabelas' 50th Anniversary Fillet Knife made by Buck Knives (left, $80). 

Comments (3)

from bass bomber wrote 40 weeks 2 hours ago

They got some intresting colors on them

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from 1grand6 wrote 39 weeks 6 days ago

Congrats Robert! Cool lure! Nice prize!

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from Robert Woody Woods wrote 37 weeks 1 hour ago

I just found out I won, Been busy fishing and enjoying life.

Thanks Field and Stream

Woody

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from bass bomber wrote 40 weeks 2 hours ago

They got some intresting colors on them

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from 1grand6 wrote 39 weeks 6 days ago

Congrats Robert! Cool lure! Nice prize!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Robert Woody Woods wrote 37 weeks 1 hour ago

I just found out I won, Been busy fishing and enjoying life.

Thanks Field and Stream

Woody

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.