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Jitterbug Collecting Tips

13K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  davesett2000  
#1 ·
:baitmonkey:

Here's a group of Jitterbugs I sold a few months ago to a 'bro of mine :tbh:

It's not widely known that this color was only made for a few years....roughly 1942-195x.

Not in the 1941 catalog...

http://nflcc.org/CPG/displayimage.php?album=14&pos=14

But in the 1951 & 1954 catalogs (654S)...

http://nflcc.org/CPG/displayimage.php?album=14&pos=15

http://nflcc.org/CPG/displayimage.php?album=14&pos=32

Gone by 1960...

http://nflcc.org/CPG/displayimage.php?album=14&pos=38

In all the pics the oldest is on the left...the newest on the right.

According to the TackleCollecting website...the wire-type hook hangers were used from 1942-1946.

http://www.tacklecollecting.com/olderjitterbugcolors.htm

I DO question the one on the far left...as it doesn't have the red "blush" around the eyes...but at the same time...I acquired it in an old tacklebox full of stuff...so I can't confirm my thoughts :dunno:

1. No "Jitterbug" stamp on body...no patent # on lip
2. Plastic lip 1942-1943 - no patent # on lip
3. Body stamp - no patent # on lip (later 1940's)
4. Patent # on lip

Box catalog dates to 1954 as it has the Spinning Jitterbug in it...1st introduced in 1954.
 

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#2 ·
Back in the early 70s I used to have a ton of these baits, from my dad and grandpa. I probably had about 15-20 that that I got from them and some of their friends. I really thought they were cool baits. Sure wish I had held on to them. Thanks Dave, you have an awesome collection of lures. :thumbup01: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
 
#3 ·
Thanks :cheers: but those 4 above are now in the hands of a good friend of mine :clap:

I have a bunch more...so if you are interested in adding to / starting a small collection of them...shoot me a PM ;)

I went through a pile of Arbogast pocket / lure box catalogs...and through using both the NFLCC scanned catalogs...and info from a couple of websites that state what years various models were introduced...I was able to piece together some approximate dates for the catalogs.

Check the pic attached...and if you disagree with my info on them...please don't hesitate to speak your mind.

Besides being human and making mistakes...I also am not a "know it all" :wack: :rofl1:
 

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#6 ·
#9 ·
Hi I am new here, I want to start a jitterbug collection and am looking for information. I also have some questions. One of them is I have heard that black jitterbugs catch more fish, is that true, I got one I plan to fish next year. another question I have is about wood bodies. In 1942 production of the musky jitterbug was ceased. At that time they were a 2 hook model. In 1947 they started making them with a plastic body and 3 treble hooks. I have seen several wood bodied musky jitterbugs with 3 hooks. How can that be. thanks
 
#10 ·
I apologize for not replying sooner :sad2:

Only the smaller size Jitterbugs were started being made in plastic around 1942.

The 3 hook Musky size I have read came out in 1948...and were made up to around the early 1960's in wood (see description in 1960 catalog page attached).

Check these out...

Pre Zip Code (mid-1960's) dealer box

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-in-Rare-Box-Wood-Body-Arbogast-Musky-Jitterbug-Lure-With-the-Dealer-Box-/110970246079

And this full dealer box...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Vintage-Wood-Arbogast-Musky-Jitterbug-Fishing-Lures-Dealer-Box-/330839734869
 

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#12 ·
You're welcome :cheers:

As far as black goes...all I know is that it's prefered by night fisher-folks :thumbup01:

IMHO...technique (as with ALL lures) would rule MOST days...versus color. :jitterbug: