Old Vintage Bass-Oreno (Test post)

[JoeW]

I also collect old vintage fishing tackle, like this classic South Bend Bass-Oreno, Mint in original Box. Best---- JoeW

[fatworm]

What date are we talking here?

-Fatworm-

[RAK]

Really nice looking Oreno. Is it a Floater or sinker? Looks like it would work for walleye.

[JoeW]

Glad for your interest in that old-timer! South Bend started making the Bass-Oreno back in 1915! This particular model (with painted tack eyes) came out in 1935. Made in many versions, sizes, and colors- it's a popular lure for vintage tackle collectors. It was a floater/shallow diver, with an erratic, side to side wobble as it was pulled through the water. A classic old Bass bait! A lot of collectors still use the beat-up ones they find for fishing and swear by their effectiveness even today! Appreciate your posts- want to see more? Best----- JoeW

[fatworm]

Very interesting info. Is it the shape that gives the floater a side to side wobble?

Yes, please post more if you have any! Vintage lures are becoming harder to find these days!

-Fatworm-

[JoeW]

You are correct! If you can see it in this pic- the front of the Bass-Oreno has a slanted groove on it. This is what gave it it's diving-wobble. Interestingly- prior to this design, most other lures were either floaters OR divers. This was a pretty radical design! As a bonus, fisherman were glad the lure floated at rest as it gave them time to untangle the frequent bird-nests on their reels without the lure sinking to the bottom and snagging! Every old lure has a story to tell! Thanks for your interest, and I will posts some other pics of other lures in my collection! Best---- JoeW

[fatworm]

Wow! A very unique design for a lure that old. I guess them old-timers knew exactly what they wanted when they designed her. These days many of us don't even take into consideration of what the lure is designed for- if it looks pretty, we buy it! I call it "the works of big-business media" at it's best.

Looking forward to your other collectibles. These are enjoyable to read and learn about!

-Fatworm-

[RAK]

Vintage stuff is getting very interesting. I have an older lure and it works better than most of the new stuff. How much did the lure cost back when it was made?

Thanks for attaching a pic. The groove have a uniqie design.

[JoeW]

Just to answer your last question- when originally sold in the 1910-20's, quality wooden lures (like Creek Chub, Heddon, Pflueger, etc) sold for $.55 to $1.25 . That was a lot of money back then! There were also economy lures, made with cheaper hooks and hardware, simpler paint schemes, and painted or no eyes. One of my favorites of the "economy" brands was called "Bob's Ten-Cent Minnow"-- what a name! Best---- JoeW
(PS- after having several of these, I think the hooks and line tie would pull out of the lure the first time any fish would hit it!)

[fatworm]

(PS- after having several of these, I think the hooks and line tie would pull out of the lure the first time any fish would hit it!)


Guess these are only good for display. Do you know if anyone "remodels" these lures to be able to use them again or are these strictly collectibles only?

[JoeW]

Some old vintage lures are just too valuable as collector's items to even consider fishing them, no matter how poor the condition! However, fishermen that use the old lures for actual fishing, look for the more "common" old ones (like River Runts, Injured Minnows, Flatfish) in "beater" condition. Then if hooks and hardware is good, they'll fish them as is. If hooks/hardware is rusty, dull, or missing, it's a simple job to get new screw eyes and hooks and re-rig them. Re-rigging, along with repainting, destroys the collector value however. The Niagara River "Musky Rats" swear by old wooden, Creek Chub Husky Jointed Pikies for the Muskies!
Last summer I was fishing for small stream Smallmouth using a vintage wooden beater from the 1930's called a --- get ready for this--- "Creek Chub Big Creek Bug Wiggler"! Say it three times real fast! Great name! Thanks for the question! Best---- JoeW

[fatworm]

LOL some very interesting names.

[RAK]

Is the Bass Oreno made by Luhr Jensen?

[JoeW]

Yep! Luhr Jensen is currently making Bass-Oreno's. As with all of the bigger old time makers of wooden lures, South Bend had trouble adapting to the plastic lures of the 1950-60's. The major factor leading to the demise of wooden lures was the labor intensive, high cost of making them, and believe it or not- a scarcity of White Cedar to make them from! Cheaper imported plastic lures also competed with them. As a result, most of the major lure makers were forced to close their doors and/or sell-out to "modern" tackle conglomerates (Pradco is one that comes to mind) in the 1970-80's. These newer plastic lures are like the old wooden ones in name only. Those wooden ones were never meant to be made in plastic and the plastics don't float like, nor have the same "action" as the originals. You haven't fished a Bass-Oreno, or an Injured Minnow, or Pikie, unless you've fished a wooden one!
Sorry for the lesson, but the history is a big part of the enjoyment of lure collecting! Best---- JoeW

[RAK]

Thanks for the history. It is surprising how many fishermen don't know the history (Me as one of them:However I'm learning).

I have one Luhr Jensen Hot Shot 30 crank bait that is made of Balsa. I use it for Brown Trout and it works really good. Do you know anything about this lure? I researched and I found most of them are plastic but mine is balsa. I will post a picture later.

[JoeW]

Hi Rak---- Eddie Pope, Altadena Calif, came out with his Hot Shot in the late 1940's and continued to make them into the 1960's. One reference I have states that "the earliest models were made of wood". Probably until 1950 or so, then he probably switched to the much more common plastics for their ease in manufacture and lower production costs. Luhr Jensen then bot him out and continues (I believe) to make the Hot Shots - strictly in plastic. They are considered "modern collectible lures", although low end right now. I would hang onto that wooden one and not fish it, if you can bear to do without it! Best---- JoeW

[RAK]

Here is the Lure. I do not know if it is a a Luhr Jensen because it only has "hot shot 30" engraved on it. I know it is balsa because one eye has the paint flaked off and it is 100% balsa.

I think either Eddie Pope made this one or somone carved this lure based on the plastic hot shots.

[JoeW]

Boy RAK! Ya got me stumped on that Hot Shot. The paint job looks like a later one-- maybe 1970's, long after Luhr Jensen bot the rights from Eddie Pope. The best I can come up with--- Luhr Jensen came out with some "commemorative" copies of some old time wooden lures, and made them in wood! They did it with the Bass-oreno. Maybe this was another "remake" they did? If i can dig up any more info, I'll let you know! Best---- JoeW

[fatworm]

Cool lure, RAK!