105 Years Old and Still a Viable Fish-Catcher

That speaks well for the South Bend Bass-Oreno, which was patented in 1915 by James S. Olds of Benton Harbor, Michigan. He sold the rights to his lure to the South Bend Bait and Tackle Company shortly after he received his patent.

Production of the lure started in 1916, and it became the company's signature lure. Among the earliest fishermen who used it, the lure came to be known as "Old Redhead." And it still can be found in a lot of old-timers' tackle boxes to this day. As a matter of fact, I have about nine of them in my box now.

This topwater bait quickly earned a reputation as being the best surface lure sold, and some fishermen took that idea one step farther. Many of them called it the "best surface lure ever made."

With a production run of more than 80 years, the Bass-Oreno has become the longest and oldest production-run lure in history. Millions of Bass-Orenos were manufactured during those years. As a result, its value as a collectible is small, compared to some other vintage lures.

As I was researching this item, I came across a Field & Stream article titled "30 Antique Fishing Lures and Why They're Collectible." Authors Robbie Pavey and John Merwin afford you a look at some unusual specimens. Here's the link if you're interested: fieldandstream.com/collecting-antique-fishing-lures/.