Vintage Tackle Contest: (Very Rare) Heddon Punkinseed

Justin Alexander submitted four photos of old lures to the vintage tackle contest not long ago, and frankly, they all looked pretty cool to me. The only one I actually recognized was the Heddon Punkinseed, because I believe we’ve featured one before. I told Dr. Todd Larson of The Whitefish Press and “Fishing For History” blog to pick whichever lure he thought had the best story, but I was kinda surprised when I found out he chose a repeat…until I read his appraisal. Justin got all the lures in a tackle box at an antique shop for $25. Let’s just say it was a very good investment. A very good investment, indeed.

Dr. Todd says:

“The Punkinseed was the iconic sunfish-shaped lure manufactured by Heddon beginning in 1940. It was originally offered in two styles — the #740 Floater and the #730 Sinker, both of them wood (the plastic #9630 was first offered in 1950). The first version (which you have) had the line tie under the chin, but this proved to be a poor placement decision, and eventually it was moved to the mouth. Your #740XSK is an example of a great lure meeting a rare color. This color is called Goldfish Shore Minnow and is very hard to find. The lure seems to be in decent shape, and because it is in the correct box it would command $500-$750 and perhaps even more. It’s an incredible combination.”

Congrats on a great find, Justin! Your lure has the highest price tag of any we’ve ever run in the contest. Thanks for sending, and keep an eye on your mailbox, because there’s a set of Berkley Aluminum Pliers headed your way.

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 pair of Berkley Aluminum Pliers (above) worth $50.