The fishing industry has been struggling with the Biden economy.
But collectors still have deep pockets for the right catch.
And one fishing lure just sold for a price that will leave you hooked.
Vintage fishing lures reel in massive profits at auction
While most Americans are cutting back on their hobbies due to crushing inflation, serious collectors are still willing to pay top dollar for rare finds.
That was proven at Morphy Auctions’ gallery in Denver, Pennsylvania on May 17, 2025.
The auction house held Part II of Wayne and Lori Edens’ acclaimed collection of antique fishing lures.
This Florida couple had assembled an extraordinary collection of vintage baits that fishing enthusiasts could only dream of owning.
The results were nothing short of spectacular, bringing in $863,000.
A rare spotted lure breaks records
The star of the show was a vintage Wilcox Wiggler with brown spots that collectors had been eyeing for months.
This wasn’t just any ordinary fishing lure.
According to Morphy Auctions, this was among the rarest examples known to exist and earned a Near-Excellent grade with pristine solid-glass eyes.
The lure showcased exceptional metalwork that showed no signs of ever being used in actual fishing.
But what really made collectors go wild was that it came with its original packaging.
The exceptionally rare box from The Wiggler Mfg. Co. in Elmwood, Indiana, still contained its original paper documentation tucked inside the lid.
When the bidding dust settled, this 3½-inch piece of fishing history sold for $39,600.
That’s nearly double the high estimate of $10,000-$20,000.
Other vintage baits hook big money too
The Wilcox Wiggler wasn’t the only lure that had collectors opening their wallets wide.
A vintage Trory Minnow from Enterprise Mfg. Co. (Pflueger) in Akron, Ohio, also commanded serious money.
This early model from around 1900 or 1901 featured pristine glass eyes and hand-carved wooden details with distinctive gold markings.
It had been found years ago in a tackle box in the Canton, Ohio area and maintained Excellent Minus condition.
The bidding war pushed this lure to $23,400, well above its $6,000-$12,000 estimate.
A spectacular 1905 Heddon Hi-Forehead 150 Minnow also hooked collectors for $23,400.
This complete set came with flawless glass eyes, bright yellow paint, and detailed red gill artwork.
It sold with its original wooden box that bore the correct factory markings.
Historic fishing lure makes waves
One of the most historically significant pieces represented what Morphy’s described as an early American wooden minnow that bridged the gap between late 1890s designs and commercial lures from the early 1900s.
This wasn’t just any old lure either.
It was the actual bait recovered from Twin Lakes, Ohio, resident Hiram C. Rice’s tackle box.
The handcrafted bait displayed natural wood patterns with distinctive coloring and copper-toned stripes.
Its original "File Maker" propellers matched those documented in collector reference books.
In strong VG Plus condition, this piece of American fishing history sold for $14,100.
Record-breaking results continue hot streak
The May 17 auction’s total of $863,000 proved that collectors’ appetite for quality vintage fishing lures remains strong.
This was the second major sale from the Edens collection, following their debut auction in December 2024 that totaled $900,000.
That’s more than $1.7 million total between both sales.
Another standout was a Heddon Introductory Model 155 all-brass Dowagiac Minnow that caught bidders’ attention.
This yellow beauty with black gill marks had spotless white glass eyes and three belly weights that were still completely sealed.
It came in its period-correct box with the bold declaration "NOTICE HOW THE HOOKS ARE HUNG!" printed right on it.
Morphy’s catalog noted that "very few Heddon Minnows combine this magnitude of rarity with such beautiful condition."
It sold above its high estimate for $20,900.
These results show that while everyday Americans are struggling with the high cost of living, collectors with deep pockets are still willing to pay premium prices for exceptional items.
The vintage fishing lure market continues to demonstrate that quality collectibles can hold and increase their value even during economic uncertainty.
For collectors who missed out on the Edens collection, these record-breaking prices serve as a reminder that patience and quality always pay off in the long run.
The success of these auctions also highlights how certain niche markets remain resilient even when broader economic conditions are challenging for most Americans.