| For over a century, Heddon lures have been some of | | | | Wooden Heddon lures are actually the hardest to find |
| the most popular fishing lures around, coveted by | | | | and most collectible of all Heddon fishing lures. |
| both serious anglers and collectors alike. According to | | | | However today, even plastic Heddon lures are highly |
| their literature, Heddon has been producing fishing | | | | collectible, with some attaining unbelievable prices |
| lures for over a century, dating all the way back to | | | | rivaling those of their wooden counterparts. Heddon |
| 1894. In fact, James Heddon is acknowledged the | | | | lures can range in value from $5 all the way up to a |
| world over as the creator of the first artificial fishing | | | | few thousand dollars for the really rare and mint |
| lure. | | | | condition lures. |
| Heddon's Dowagiac Expert lures first appeared on | | | | Heddon lures are quite appealing to the collector, for |
| the market back in 1902 and ever since, their | | | | they can be dated in general periods by the hook |
| business has slowly evolved into that of an American | | | | holders. Heddon fishing lures are the most collected in |
| legend. Even today, Heddon continues to produce | | | | the country today and are highly collectible overseas, |
| high-quality lures, rods, reels, and other related fishing | | | | just as they are in the US. James Heddon could |
| products. | | | | never have believed that his early creations would |
| Heddon initially started out designing wood lures. | | | | spawn such an avid following of fishing tackle and |
| These wooden lures were painted with several layers | | | | antique lure collectors around the world. |
| of thick paint and equipped with round glass eyes. | | | | Another great addition to these antique fishing lures |
| The beautiful paint finishes on these iniial Heddon | | | | is the original boxes that they came packaged in. |
| wooden lures make them true works of art, highly | | | | Antique lures that are sold along with their original |
| desirable to collectors around the world. | | | | box are highly coveted by collectors worldwide. In |
| Eventually, Heddon began producing plastic lures | | | | some situations, these boxes can even be more |
| because of their increased durability and longevity. | | | | valuable than the actual fishing lures that they |
| Identifying these Heddon fishing lures can be made | | | | contained. Each box is individually marked on the ends |
| much easier if you know the material they were | | | | with the name of the lure, color, patent info, and |
| made from, the types of hardware used, and the | | | | serial number inscribed. |
| time period in which they were produced. | | | | |