Vintage Lures - Paw Paw Bait Company antique and vintage fishing lures

Paw Paw Bait Company is one the vintage fishing lure producers with roots back to the "Moonlight Bait Company" that was formed in 1908. The name changed to "Moonlight Bait and Novelty Works" with the merging of "Silver Creek Novelty Works". It evolved into the Paw Paw Bait Company during the late twenties. They manufactured many fine lures until production was ceased in 1964. Most Paw Paw wood lures were made with tack painted eyes. They considered this an improvement over the glass eyes used by many manufacturers. Paw Paw lures are, also, known for their painted cup style of hook hanger and combination diving lip and front hook hanger. Recognizing the need for inexpensive lures, Paw Paw Bait Company was one of the first to produce plastic lures and meet the demand for lighter spin fishing sizes. In 1970, Shakespeare bought the Paw Paw shaping lathe and later acquired the Paw Paw trademarks after they had elapsed. They produced a line of lures called "Paw Paw by Shakespeare" Paw Paw Baits did almost no direct marketing to the fisherman. Instead, they marketed through wholesale channels (like Sear & Roebuck and Montgomery Wards), catalog merchants (such as Gateway), jobbers and dealers. Paw Paw Bait Company did not provide pocket catalogs of their product line. It is difficult to find consistent information on Paw Paw lures. Many collectors call any unknown lure a 'Paw Paw' or use the "Creek Chub Bait Company" color to describe a Paw Paw lure. However, this is improving as more as more collectors focus on Paw Paw lures and research the company.