Weird Fishing Lure Thingy -- An Attachment??

[mlw67]

A while back someone gave me a bunch of old wooden fishing lures to sell online.

I went through and researched them as best I could, and even bought a book on lures. Most of them in that batch I had were made by small tackle companies in the Seattle area, circa 1930s and 40s. One of those companies was "Martin".

This weird lure thingy here is marked "MARTIN" and came from that same batch, so it is probably also from circa 1930s to 40s. I'm wondering what it is? My best guess is that it was an attachment for an existing lure to give it more hooks?!? Is that right? I never saw anything like that in the lure book or online or anything. At least, I didn't see it. If that is right, is there a particular name for such a device? Or is it for something else entirely?

The interior is hollow, and open to that 'clamp'-looking device there on the end with the spring-loaded pincers.

The plastic part measures 1.5" long.

Thanks for looking.

 

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[pgill]

MLW,,,, Not too sure about what it is, but it does not look as old as what you say I am not to sure if they used the plastic stuff then, I might be wrong..... just a guess.

God bless
Peter

 

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[fldiver]

The live bait cli[p sounds good but another idea, does it look like it might have had a second piece that clipped on behind it, maybe like an old stinkbait lure? I don't know if they had something like that back then and just kinda thinking/wondering.

 

[Thor!]

I agree this is for holding some sort of live bait but, its not a frog.

its illegal to use any kind of live frog for fishing.

It's not illegal to use froggies in "The peoples Republic Massachusetts". Which is surprising to say the least giving the tree hugging "creatures first, plants second, people last" mentallity around here. FROGS have rights to!!!
This is from the fishing laws:
Bait: Permit required to take baitfish for purpose of sale.
Frogs (except leopard frogs) 2-1/2" or less snout to vent may
be used as bait; 10 daily, 10 in possession. May not be sold.

PS MMMMMM baby ducklings

 

[hollowpointred]

I agree this is for holding some sort of live bait but, its not a frog.

its illegal to use any kind of live frog for fishing.

it is perfectly legal to use a live frog for fishing around here. they can be bought in tackle shops all over the place. its fairly common.

 

[Cladius]

I remember my great uncle had a simular set up he used with pork rind 45 years ago. The spring does't look like it's made to go into something alive or fleshy (not pointed,no barbs) My .02. Cladius.

 

[Postalrevnant]

Great find. Love a good mystery. I am learning a whole lot going through and reading these.

Rev

 

[cartographerdave]

Hiya Guys and Girls

Here is a picture of the modern equivalent to this - it is specifically for mounting a dead bait for trolling or sink and draw fishing to catch any toothy predator. They work too.