Lures and Boxes

Wobblers (Early Bass-Oreno)

Prior to the Bass-Oreno getting its now famous name, it was known as the South Bend Wobbler.  The Wobbler shown in the picture below has a "high scoop" lip rather than the traditional slanted scoop commonly seen on Bass-Orenos.  The Wobbler introductory box shown below is rare and was used only for about six months in mid- to late-1915.  Please contact me if you have an early Wobbler bait or box for sale or trade.

Fly-Rod Lures

South Bend produced numerous varieties of fly-rod lures.  Most notably among these are the Trout-Oreno, Fly-Oreno, Fly-Rod Surf-Oreno, Ketch-Oreno, Feath-Oreno, and Callmac Bugs.  I'm always looking for nice examples of fly-rod baits in boxes.

Miscellaneous Lures

In 1934 South Bend introduced an economy line of lures called "Best-O-Luck" to compete with other large tackle manufacturers who had introduced similar product lines.  Best-O-Luck lures sport lower quality paint finishes and hardware than than the regular South Bend line.

I'm looking for a Baby Wobbler (No. 942) and Standard Wobbler (No. 943) in the RAIN color!  These lures have a similar body style to the Babe- and Bass-Orenos, except they are of lower quality.

The diamond style box (right) is the earliest version of the Best-O-Luck box.  South Bend later changed to the leaping fish style box (above).

Pictured below is a Slim-Oreno (No. 912) and an example of the script box they were sold in.  Although they were offered for seven years starting in 1933, they are difficult to find.  They are found in both staple right and cup rig hook holders. 

The first style Plunk-Oreno (No. 929) can be found with glass eyes or painted eyes.  It was later reintroduced into the South Bend product line, but redesigned to give it more of a surface popper appearance.

The Wiz-Oreno was offered just five years between 1925 and 1929.  Featuring a Babe-Oreno style body it has a 5/0 single hook with spinner, colored hackle and a pork rind attachment on the rear. 

First introduced in the 1926 retail catalog, the Fish-Oreno (No. 953) was marketed as a "Guaranteed Bait" with an insurance policy attached, guaranteeing satisfaction to the angler!

All photos and content copyright 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008  Marie R. Munson.  Please contact me at bbroreno@aol.com for permission to use any and all photos or content on this web site.   Links  to southbendcollector.com are welcomed.