Finally Caught One While Dirt Fishing!!

[Erik in NJ]

I hit a lot that seems to have had an old house on it once...people were parking there today to go to the local "farm"--sadly not much of a farm any more. Anyway, I dug this surprise! A fish! I thought it was just a piece of scrap lead until I wiped away some of the dirt and saw this thing looking back at me. The substrate metal is either lead or pewter and it's silver plated. It's quite heavy and is hollowed out to about 2" with a hole that's 5/16" in diameter. There is part of a pronounced lip on the metal extending out of the fish's mouth. This is one of the strangest relics I have found. Any ideas what it may have been used for and how old it is?

I also dug a set of binoculars (made in France) that are being cleaned. At another small park I unearthed a 1933 bathing tag for a local municipal pool and a 1955 dog license...neither is terribly old, but nice pieces of local history.

So what's the story with the fish

 

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[granthansen]

Very cool. Just supports that you can never predict what you might find. Sorry I can't help you ID it.

 

[dirtfisher]

Now that's REAL dirt fishin'!

 

[Erik in NJ]

Thanks Grant and DF! Anyone know what it might have been? I'm thinking that the fish may have been mounted vertically on a stand and been a holder for a silver plated pen or something. That's the only thing I can guess.

 

[hotrod]

cooolllool

 

[got2dig]

Nice find!

 

[the bone]

I think it might be a casting plug that comes usually with fishing poles designed for kids to help them learn to cast. Just tie the lead fish on the end of the line and cast into the field until you get the hang of it!

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hi, I don't think that is what this is...it's fairly heavily silver plated. I doubt they would silver plate a casting plug unless you were Thurston Howell III plus there is no place to tie fishing line to it. The hole goes over 2" deep into the fish and there's a lip around the entrance. Looks like where something would be inserted like a pen or something.

I think it might be a casting plug that comes usually with fishing poles designed for kids to help them learn to cast. Just tie the lead fish on the end of the line and cast into the field until you get the hang of it!

 

[strateloss]

^ lol Nice find Erik, that's dirt Fishing all right!! I took the plunge and picked up an E-trac, gonna set up a test garden tomorrow and see how it goes.

 

[TNGUNS]

What bait were ya using.....earth worms......sorry had to

 

[the bone]

Hi, I don't think that is what this is...it's fairly heavily silver plated. I doubt they would silver plate a casting plug unless you were Thurston Howell III plus there is no place to tie fishing line to it. The hole goes over 2" deep into the fish and there's a lip around the entrance. Looks like where something would be inserted like a pen or something.

Lol i realized you said it was silver plated after i already posted but thought ah well someone will call me on it! Just didn't think it was gonna be so hilarious when they did!

 

[Erik in NJ]

Glad you have a sense of humor T-bone Casting plug was a creative guess, but alas this was a piece from a priviledged home since long gone...but I still can't get my mind off of Mary Anne & Ginger! LOL

Lol i realized you said it was silver plated after i already posted but thought ah well someone will call me on it! Just didn't think it was gonna be so hilarious when they did!

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hey buddy....so you passed on the CTX? Should have called me, (I would have hooked you up with Detector Depot for a great deal) I have one (and an eTrac).....let's go out hunting and compare signals soon. The eTrac is a great machine like all the Minelabs (congrats!)......if you need anything else call me or send me a PM. Best, Erik

^ lol Nice find Erik, that's dirt Fishing all right!! I took the plunge and picked up an E-trac, gonna set up a test garden tomorrow and see how it goes.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hey brother! I was using "silverfish" LOL ....... was a bit taken back when I wiped away the dirt and saw this silver fish staring back at me

What bait were ya using.....earth worms......sorry had to

 

[Mr Tuff]

poor thing has fin rot...lol odd find

 

[leprechaun]

Neat find.

 

[silverfreak]

That's pretty cool

Gilligan and the Skipper would be proud

 

[strateloss]

Thanks bud! Yea I passed for now on the CTX, I got an absolutely fantastic deal! Too good to pass up!! I'll fill ya in when we meet up!!

Hey buddy....so you passed on the CTX? Should have called me, (I would have hooked you up with Detector Depot for a great deal) I have one (and an eTrac).....let's go out hunting and compare signals soon. The eTrac is a great machine like all the Minelabs (congrats!)......if you need anything else call me or send me a PM. Best, Erik