AT THE DAWN of the 20th century, plug casting was still in its infancy. Most early lures were “artificial minnows” that were simple in design and could be churned out with relative ease.
Next in line was the frog, which presented a far greater challenge when it came to building an effective, lifelike lure. After all, they had to swim and kick like their natural namesakes.
The quest to “build a better frog” was well underway by 1900. Some inventors chose to keep their frogs simple. Others built elaborate contraptions that would make Rube Goldberg proud.
All were proclaimed to catch fish — and many were designed to land fishermen.
It’s important to note there are literally hundreds of frog lures of all shapes, sizes and materials that span more than a century of production.
There’s even a reference book, , whose author, Don Wheeler, filled 352 pages with his research and
