A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF ANTIQUE FISHING LURE BOOKS & REFERENCES

"IF YOU ARE JUST GETTING STARTED WITH LURE COLLECTING OR HAVE LURES YOU WANT TO RESEARCH, A GOOD REFERENCE BOOK IS A MUST"

Do you have lures you want to research or are you just getting started with lure collecting and want to buy the best book?   The #1 "MUST HAVE" Reference book Recently voted THE BEST REFERENCE BOOK in a poll taken among lure collectors.  ....If you want just one good book or are starting your reference library then this is the one to buy.... Carl Luckey's version 8 book "OLD FISHING LURES AND TACKLE" because it has such a wide coverage of lures, information, and for about $25 you are in business!  See the description below. This book will pay for itself with just one good lure...!  Buy multiple copies and give them out to your friends with what you collect highlighted or leave copies in barber shops with your name stamped on each page. The ideas are endless.  A great gift idea You can preview the newest version, read more about this book and directly order this reference book by clicking on the Amazon logo below now:  See it on Amazon NOW

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Our favorite reference books for identification and pricing lures are: (**** Highly recommended)

Robert A. Slade, A series of books published as THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF OLD FISHING LURES MADE IN NORTH AMERICA  with extensive history and patent information on old lure makers and the first to include extensive coverage on Canadian lure makers. With over 10, 000 pictures in preparing the historical stories for these books. The set of books arranges for the individual and company lures makers to appear in alphabetical order.  See all of the series at:  See it on Amazon NOW
The Pflueger Heritage Lures & Reels 1881-1952 (Hardcover), by Wayne Ruby (Author) First comprehensive reference on Pflueger tackle. Reasonable price and well worth adding to your library See it on Amazon NOW
*****Murphy and Edmisten's 2nd Edition book on antique fishing lures: "FISHING LURE COLLECTIBLES", 400 pages. This is a beautifully photographed book with prices relative to very good condition, and some identification information. Excellent for early lure visual identification. A must for any collector as well as a way to communicate over the phone between collectors when trying to convey which lure you are discussing.    These are books loaded with color photos for identification.  There are two editions of this book: (2002) pre-1940 and the newer (2003) post-1940 editions You can preview or directly order either reference book by clicking the Amazon logo below now  Pre-1940                                                  Post-1940   See it on Amazon NOW    See it on Amazon NOW	Pre-1940   Post-1940
Streater, Edmisten & Murphy: "The fishing Lure Collector's Bible", 472 pages.  This book is a remake of Streater's classic identification book.  It is strictly for those who need to identify lures visually in the field.  It is black and white and has little collateral information.   You can preview or directly order this reference book by clicking the Amazon logo below now: See it on Amazon NOW
** 'Heddon plastic lures: identification and price guide': A generalized guide to Heddon plastic lures with lots of color pictures and prices.  Plastic lure values are extremely color dependent and while this book shows the various models it does not list values for the various colors nor give complete color information. It is a good, all purpose guide which shows history by year and also history for some of the more popular lure models.   See it on Amazon NOW
****Art Kimball's book on antique (early) lures: For the serious collector.  My favorite book for early lures and minutia.  The best source for miscellaneous baits.   Mainly for the serious collector who wants to learn it all. Just reprinted,  If you are going to seriously collect early lures, you have to have this source book.  Just buy it!  There is nothing else out there with this kind of information. You can read more about this book directly from Amazon.com by clicking the log below.  It is out of print, so you might have a problem getting a copy.  Well worth the effort however. See it on Amazon NOW
****Harold E. Smith, M.D's book II on Creek Chub lures: "COLLECTOR'S GUIDE TO CREEK CHUB LURES AND COLLECTIBLES", 207 pages. This is the absolutely best book ever written for color and details on Creek Chub lures with current prices. It is a work of art. I can't say enough positive things about the book because it is so well written, researched, and produced. An absolute must for every collector.    See it on Amazon NOW
Shur Strike Minnows: The History, Models & Colors of Creek Chub's Shur Lures, by Rick Osterholt, paperback  See it on Amazon NOW
* Karl White's guide to lure prices: "FISHING TACKLE ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES", 328 pages. This is the final word on general pricing at this time other than eBay. The prices are from 1995, but most were out of sight at that time and pretty much in line now.   If it isn't in this book, most likely you won't find it anywhere else, but the photos are somewhat lacking for accurate identification. Best used as secondary guide.   The new 2003 addition is worthless and should be avoided. You can preview or directly order this reference book by clicking the Amazon logo below now:  See it on Amazon NOW
****Terry Wong's "South Bend Fishing lures"  200 pages.  A complete, in-depth coverage of everything made by South Bend in the way of lures.  Detailed information from 1912 to 1964,  Color photos of fresh water lures, salt water lures, fly rod lures, metal lures, and lure values.   See it on Amazon NOW
19th Century Fishing Lures: A Collector's Guide to U.S. Lures Manufactured Prior to 1901  by Arlan Carter    See it on Amazon NOW
*****The Heddon Legacy: A Century of Classic Lures by Bill Roberts and Rob Pavey If you collect or want to collect Heddon lures, this is one of the best, unfortunately it is out of print, but may be available used.  See it on Amazon NOW
Classic Fishing Lures and Tackle: An Entertaining History of Collectible Fishing Gear by Eric L. Sorenson, et al See it on Amazon NOW
John R. Muma, flyrod lures book "OLD FLYROD LURES" a collection of photos and help (some) with identification of this hardest of all areas to identify.   Version II.  May be available used through a bookstore or on eBay, but no longer in print.
Commercial Fish Decoys: Identification & Value Guide: Collectible Decoys and Implements Used in the Sport of Ice Spear Fishing by Frank R. Baron See it on Amazon NOW
Collecting Fly Fishing: Instant Expert    See it on Amazon NOW
Antique & Collectible Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide   See it on Amazon NOW
Clyde Harbin's Heddon Catalogs, 50 years of great fishing.  A must for serious Heddon collectors.  Information not found anywhere else.  Mainly research and examples of early Heddon catalogs.    See it on Amazon NOW
Classic & Antique Fly-Fishing Tackle: A Guide for Collectors    See it on Amazon NOW
"The Paw Paw Bait Company".  228 pages and a must for the Paw Paw collector.  A history, value and Identification guide to everything made by this company.  An in depth reference that is useful for both the novice and experienced collector.   Sections on wood, plastic, metal and fly rod lures and their values.  Also information on other items produced by Paw Paw such as duck and spearing decoys, bobbers, display items.    775 photos and color chart showing 165 Paw Paw colors.  $40 postpaid direct from the author. email stockman@n-connect.net to place an order.
NEW BOOK: Spring-Loaded Fish hooks, Traps and Lures. First of it's kind reference book which covers this never-before-documented area of antique Fishing Collectibles.  Order directly from Amazon.com   See it on Amazon NOW
"Patented Hooks, Harnesses & Bait-Holders' book by Jeff Kieny.  Paperback.  Order from Amazon.com    See it on Amazon NOW
Bagley Collector's Guide by Johnny Garland   See it on Amazon NOW
Collectible Fishing Reels, by Carl Caiati   See it on Amazon NOW
Fred Arbogast Story: A Fishing Lure Collector's Guide, by Scott Heston   See it on Amazon NOW

• Florida Lure Makers. By Stuart, Riddle, & Brace: This is really the only source on Florida lures. A series of three books which are invaluable if collecting Florida lures and available directly from the author. Wm. Stuart, Jr. 205 E. Hooker St., Bartow, Florida 33830 Bill's home phone is 941-533-7358.

• Florida Lures Patent Book: Presented in three-ring binder format, the book includes 182 pages of drawings taken from 155 Florida lure patents granted from 1908 - 1980. It is indexed by inventor name, as well as by patent date. The price of the book is $20.00 + shipping. Shipping costs are $2 by USPS Media Mail or $4.75 by USPS Priority Mail. Email the author, Joe Yates direct at jyates@ix.netcom.com

• Company catalogs from the NFLCC library: They will send an extensive list of available items. Best source at the cheapest price, but you have to wait and there is no pricing, just good solid reference material. Best for the serious student.  Members can contact the Library at 616-781-5668

• Back issues of the NFLCC Gazette and Magazine: Some still available from the NFLCC library. These have pictures and articles which you can integrate with other sources into a notebook on the areas you collect.. Great information if you spend the time to read.

  • Back issues of South Bay Auctions catalogs: Not as good as Lang's catalogs, but has photos and descriptions. Hard to find.

  • Back issues of major dealers sales lists: The problem with lists is not knowing the condition of the baits for sure. Lots of sales list stuff gets returned, or may be over priced for the condition. You better know who you are quoting if you use sales lists. Some may be available from older members of NFLCC. Again, this is where a mentor comes in to play.

A FULL TOPICAL INDEX FOR ANTIQUELURES

A LIST OF ALL EARLY FISHING LURES IN THIS COLLECTION