Things that get daily use are sometimes the same things that will be worth the most in the future. Children’s toys, tobacciana, bicycles, fishing gear and cameras are perfect examples. The original number of them made is typically low and the ones that are left, in good or bad condition, are rare and costly. Fishing lures are another example of this.

A Box… Worth More Than What’s Inside?

You’ve just bought new three new video games and you get home, rip open the plastic, put the disc in and get to playing. Three days later, one case is already cracked, two booklets are torn and by the time you’ve beat all three games, all you have are one case and 3 game discs. How did that happen?

When you buy new items for a hobby you love, the box means nothing to you. That makes them rarer and rarer as time passes. Used lures depending on several factors, can range from $10-$50. A single box for a lure can go for just as much, if not more.

What Should I look for?

Telling if a lure is vintage or not is not difficult. Age, models, and brands can be harder to tell especially without a box.

• Look at the Eyes – Glass is your friend. Look at the shine on an eye and check out that link for some great pictures.
• Hardware Type – The hardware on the lure can tell age depending on type and configuration. 

• Lure Material – Wooden lures are the oldest, followed by metal and plastic. Metal and plastic lures have lower value in general but can still be valuable.
• Don’t be Phished by a Fish – According to this website:
  

  There are lots of fakes. There are a lot of absolute forgeries, fakes, repaints, total fabrications. Even more so repaints than fakes. You learn over time what colors were made by different makers and what those colors look like and what paint is supposed to look like.

So read up, watch out, and start fishing for some gold!