Vintage Heddon Wooden Lures

The first Heddon lures were manufactured out of wood. Lures are designed to resemble small fish and frogs to attract hungry game fish like bass. Wood was used in the early lures because it was plentiful, could be easily carved and shaped and was very buoyant in the water. It was also easily painted to make the lure appear life-like. Various types of wood were used on these early lures including red and white cedar, basswood, and balsa. The first lure produced commercially by Heddon was the Dowagiac Perfect Surface Casting Bait commonly known as the Slopenose.