"4 in 1" Spinner
The card says this bait is a "4 in 1" because it can be used to troll minnows, frogs, pork rind or worms. Bait has a 20th Century Spinner and two staggard double hooks. Bait is rare and the card for it even more rare. Circa 1915.
Auburn Wobbler
The Auburn Wobbler is 3 3/4" long and came in nickel, brass, copper and white. Several have been found with a "punched" surface rather than the smooth finish shown here. Circa unknown.
Bat Wing (aka Peppy Lure)
The Bat Wing is probably Peppers best known and most desired lure. Patent was applied for and received in 1893 by John Pepper, Joe Pepper's brother. The blades came in at least four sizes (1 1/4" to 2 1/8"). Some baits had McHarg type covers on the beads as seen in this photo. Many different styles have shown up of this lure. At least one of the pre-patent baits has shown up (pictured lure) with "patent pending" stamped on the blade rather than the normal patent date as most have. Circa 1893.
Bat Wing (special)
This is a very special and rare Bat Wing in that it has two of the fancy flies - one in front and one behind the blade. Very few of these are known. Note the McHarg caps on the beads indicating that it's a very early bait.
Beaver River Spinner
This bait comes with either a single or double (as shown) spinners on the shaft. Spinner size is from 3/8" to 1". There were many hook variations including fly style hooks. Circa 1909.
Big Three Assortment
The Big Three Assortment is an Electric Combination Ball Spinner and three interchangable flies on a card. Almost impossible to find this item as it would still need to be on a card in order to identify. It came for bass with a 20th Century spinner (as shown) or for trout with a New Century Spinner. Circa 1904.
Bingo Spinner (style 1)
This winged, fish shaped bait is 3" long and came in brass. Eyes are punched. Circa 1948.
Bingo Spinner (style 2)
This bait is an example of the many times Joe Pepper Jr. would use the same name for more than one bait. The nickel blade is a very distinctive "V" shape and is 1" long. Circa late 1950's.
Blind Island Spinner
The kidney, fluted blade on this bait is 1 1/2" long and came in nickel, copper, brass and red/white. Bait has double hooks. Circa 1939.
Century Spinner
This bait was found only in WW II era catalogs and I assume it replaced the New Century Ball Spinner during this period due to the lack of metal parts. Blade measures 1". Circa 1940.
Chicago Spinner
This bait appears to be a South Bay Spinner with a pointed prop on the shaft. Circa 1915.
Copper City Minnow
These baits came in many color combinations. In the case of the metal ones they are 1" long and fish shaped. The pearl baits measure 5/16" x 1 1/8" and are rectangular. Eyes were painted. Circa 1939.
Copper City Spinner
The spinner version of this lure is much tougher to find than the minnow above. In particular this spinner with a New Century Spinner is very rare. The bait also has been found with a colorado style spinner. Circa 1939.
Crown Frog Spinner
This is a very tough Pepper bait (in my estimation far more scarce than the Bat Wing). Less than ten are known. They are not marked in any way and the only source for identification that I know of is in my book "Peppers of Rome, NY". A listing for this bait was found in a 1904 catalog (only one known). Bait was listed as being made in three sizes (3/4", 1" and 1 3/4") and produced in nickel, brass and copper. The catalog also said it was available in a double spinner version.
Crown Frog (Double)
This is the only known double version of this lure. It has also the only known 3/4" version of the blade (the front blade on this bait). If anyone knows of another double bladed Crown Frog please let me know.
Delta Bug Casting Spinner
This bait came with yellow/black and tan/black bodies. In addition to the New Century Spinner (as shown) it also came with the 20th Century Spinner. It also was made with dual spinners. Circa 1920.
Delta Bug Trout Spinner
This bait was made in three sizes (3/4" 1" and 1 1/8") and came in many color combinations. Eyes were painted. Circa 1920.
Delta Wiggler Spinner
This bait has a 1 5/8" body and painted eyes. It came in at least six colors. It has three in line hooks (one is for pork rind) and has weed guards on most baits. The 20th Century Spinner came in both nickel and brass. Circa 1920.
Delta Wiggler Spinner - special
This is a "one of a kind" Delta Wiggler. Note the New Century Spinner rather than the normal 20th Century Spinner used on other Delta Wigglers. It also has a single hook(rather than the normal double arrangement). It does still have the pork rind holder hook. There is no indication a weed guard was ever on this bait. My guess is that this is a later (1940's) bait that was made up to use old stock bodies left over from earlier years.
Devil Eye Wobbler
This bait is 2 1/4" long and came in both a smooth or fluted finish as shown. Finishes were brass, copper, nickel, green and pearl. Eyes are painted tacks. Circa 1940.
Devil Eye Spoon
This is exactly the same lure body as above but it has a fixed hook as opposed to the hanging hooks. Seldom seen this way.
Devil Eye Wobbler - glass eyes
This is a later and much less common version of the Devil Eye Wobbler. Pepper began using glass eyes rather than tack eyes in 1958. Lure was made for only two years in this version. The number of production colors is unknown.
Devil Lure Wobbler
This bait was an obvious "knock off" of the Dardevle lure. It came in many finishes and in both 2" and 3" sizes. Circa 1939.
Electric Combination Ball Spinner
(aka Duke Spinner)
This is one of Pepper's earliest baits dating prior to 1900. It came in many combinations and sizes.
Electric Combination Ball Spinner (Special)
The bait shown here has a very interesting history. In 1900 Elias Pealer (of P & S baits) sued Joe Pepper over the design of these spinners. This bait is the actual bait used as evidence in the trial (court tag still attached). All court records burned years ago in a fire but it seems reasonable to assume Joe Pepper won the suit as he continued to use the 20th Century Spinner for many years.
Electric Combination (Roman Ball Spinner)
This bait is on a card stamped with the name "Roman Ball Spinner". This is the third name used by Pepper for this bait (Electric Combination, Duke and Roman Ball). Another indication of the inconsistancy of the Pepper's (both Joe Sr. and Joe Jr.). This bait is from the collection of Robert Halsted.
Fish Hawk Spinner
The weighted brass body of this lure is 1 1/4" long and the fish shaped spinner is 2" long. Circa 1955.
Fish Killer (style 2)
This bait is one of the very last baits produced by Joe Pepper. It was introduced in 1960 just about the time the business was closed. It measures 1 13/16" long and came in hammered nickel and gold.
Fish Luck (style 1)
This bait is 3 1/8" long. It has been found with no front spinner as well as with a 20th Century Spinner. One side of the body is finished nickel and the other side is copper. Eyes are painted. Bait has round nickel/copper side fins. Circa unknown.
Fish Luck - style 2
This bait was produced in both silver and gold. Body measures
1 3/4" long. Production was limited to the year 1960 so the lure is rather scarce.
1 3/4" long. Production was limited to the year 1960 so the lure is rather scarce.
Flower City Wobbler
This bait is 3 1/4" long and has been found in many finishes. The earliest of these baits did not have the painted dot as seen in this photo. Circa 1915.
Full-O-Pep (style 1)
These fish shaped wobblers came in nickel, brass and copper. They measure 2" long. Circa unknown.
Full-O-Pep (style 2)
Here is another example of Pepper using the same name on two lures. Bait is 2 1/4" long and catalog says it was made in another unspecified size. Eyes painted on prop and on body of lure. New Century style spinner. Circa 1953.
Glittering Gang Spinner
This attractor is 9 1/2" long and one blade is nickel, one brass and one copper. Blades are Flower City style. Circa 1915.
Glittering Pearl Fish
(aka Pearl Fish Killer)
This is a very beautiful bait. Each of the three I have is very well done. Bait measures 2" to 2 1/4". I will show a slight design variation in the next frame. In the 1904 catalog it was called by the first name above and in a 1920 ad it was called by the second name above. Circa 1904.
Glittering Pearl Fish (special)
(aka Pearl Fish Killer)
As you can see in this photo this bait has the "flapper tail" that is found on a very few other Pepper baits.
Google Eye
The body of this bait measures 1 7/8" long. It was produced in nickel and brass. Production was limited to the year 1960 so the lure is rather scarce.
Green Bay Spinner
The blade on this bait is 3 1/2" long and came in nickel, brass and copper. Circa unknown.
Gypsy Spinner
This bait was first introduced in 1939 and came with a 20th Century Spinner. Later in 1946 the spinner was changed to a pointed prop as shown above. There may be even more variations as the catalog illustrations differed over the years.
Hot Pepper Spinner
This bait has a 3/4" nickel New Century Spinner with painted eyes. Feathers on treble came in yellow and red. Circa 1948.
Indian Casting Spinner
This bait came with several size spinners - always painted white. In 1939 the lure had six glass beads (as shown) and in 1948 this was changed to only two beads.
Jazz Bug
This very interesting bait has been found in no catalogs but has appeared on a Pepper card for identification purposes. Bait is 2 1/2" long without the rear hook. Note the gray glass beads and wonderful fly body on the treble hook. This fly is very similar to some of those on the Bat Wing lure and I believe this lure to be of that same very early vintage.
June Bug (old style)
This bait came in several sizes and many colors. It had both long and short leaders and both single and double hooks. The body was an enlongated oval as opposed to the more heart shape of the later model. Circa 1920.
June Bug (new style)
The blades on the new style June Bug are 1 3/8" long and have painted eyes. The bodies are heart shaped with fluted wings. They are found with both single and double hooks and long and short leaders. Circa 1939.
June Bug (3rd style)
This is a third style of the June Bug. Note the shape is similar to the old style but this one has the center punched to use as the attachment to the shaft. I'm not certain if this was before or after the "new style". From the collection of Kevin Nastpany.
Ka-Noo-No Bait
This bait came in bass size (1 5/8" blade) and a trout size (1/2" blade as shown in photo). This is a very early Pepper bait with a double hook fly. Circa 1910.
Kidney Spinner
This bait came with 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" blades in several finishes. It also came with a double blade arrangement. Circa pre 1939.
Kidney Wobbler
Blade on this bait is 2" long and came in nickel, copper, brass and red/white. Circa 1939.
Knoxal Casting & Trolling Bait
This is an early Pepper spinner with a 1 1/4" tear drop blade which came in nickel, brass, copper and white. It has two opposing single hooks. Circa 1908.
Lady Bug Wobbler
This lure has a 1 1/2" painted blade that is shaped much like the early June Bug blade. The card it is on says it came in six colors. This is fairly rare and the card is very rare. Circa unknown.
Lake Delta Spinner
The 1 1/4" tear drop blade on this lure came in nickel, brass, copper and pearl. The trout size of this lure had a smal colorado style spinner and a fly hook. Circa 1915.
Lake Port Special Spinner
Blade on this bait was 1 3'4" long and came only in nickel. The reverse of the blade was painted red/white. Bait has a feathered treble. This is an early Pepper bait but circa is unknown.
Lone Scout Spinner
The fish shaped body of this bait measures 2 1/4" long and came in nickel with either a brass or copper head. Eyes are punched. Circa 1939.
Lone Scout Wobbler (style 1)
This is the same bait as above except it was rigged as a wobbler rather than a spinner. There was another bait named the same but shaped different which was introduced in 1960. Circa of this bait 1939.
Lone Star Wobbler - style 2
Body of this bait measures 1 7/8" long. Production of this lure was limited to 1960 and therefore rather scarce.
Lucky-Bug Spinner
This bait is quite rare. Overall length (spinner and hair/feather bug) is 2". No information found in catalogs. Circa unknown.
New Century Ball Spinner
This bait came in many, many forms and sizes. Basically it's a New Century Spinner mounted in front of a ball. Blades ranged in size from 5/8" to 2 1/8" according to an early catalog and it came in nickel, brass or copper. I have never seen one in copper. I have also found one that measures 2 3/8". Illustrated in a 1902 ad was one with four blades from very small to large on a single shaft. I would love to have one of these in my collection. Circa 1900.
Newark Spinner
This bait has a June Bug style spinner and a pointed prop one the shaft. Catalog shows a rounded prop so it may be found with either style. Circa 1915.
One Eye Wobbler
This lure's fish shaped body with side wings is 2 1/4" long and came in many, many color combinations. Eyes were mostly painted tack eyes but a very few were found just painted - no tack (see top lure in this photo). Circa 1948.
Pearl Kidney Spinner
There were actualy two baits using this name. The earliest (1920) came with blades ranging from 1 1/4" to 2 1/2" and had both one or two blades on a shaft. None of these have been found on a card to my knowledge and since they are not marked it's not possible to ID them as Peppers. The above lures are the later models and are fairly common. Circa 1950's.
Pearl Wobbler (style 1)
This lure was produced for many years beginning in 1904 and through to the 1950's. According to an early catalog it came in 3 sizes (1 1/2", 2" and 3 1/2"). A painted red dot appeared on the later baits (see photo). The earlier baits had bodies more similar to the following bait than the later bait shown here.
Pearl Wobbler (style 2)
The body of this bait is 1 1/2" long. As shown in the photo it came with both the New Century Spinner and the 20th Century Spinner. Circa 1939.
Pop Eye Wobbler
The Pop Eye Wobblers (lower row) measure 1 1/4" long and came in many colors. Bait has painted glass bead eyes and many have painted spots on the lure body. The painted baits have "sparkels" in the paint. The two upper baits are the later version (1958) of the Devil Eye Wobbler where the eyes were changed from tacks to beads. Note the one on the far right where the eyes are applied near the rear of the bait (oops?). Circa of the Pop Eyes 1939.
Pork Rind Spinner
This Pork Rind Spinner has pointed props and the normal pork rind style hook arrangement. Circa 1948.
Pork Rind Wobbler
This Pork Rind Wobbler body is 1 3/8" long and has the normal pork rind hook arrangement. Circa 1948.
Potomac Bass Spinner (New Century style)
To me this is one of the most interesting and rare of the early Pepper baits. This bait has the New Century Ball Spinner in front of a shaft covered with chenille and rubber. Circa 1902.
Potomac Bass Spinner (20th Century style)
This is basically the same bait as above except it has the 20th Century Spinner and ball in front of the shaft. A later version (1926) of the lure eliminated the ball and chenille/rubber body. Circa 1902.
Rangeley Lake Spinner
This early bait had several sizes and versions. It may have one or two colorado or kidney blades and came in nickel, brass, copper, white and pearl. Circa 1908.
Red Devil Spinner
Based on the number of these lures found they must have been one of Peppers largest sellers. There are two listed sizes of this lure (1 1/2" and 2 3/4") but other sizes are occassionally found. Most larger baits have 11 glass beads and the smaller 7. One of these baits has been found with a pointed prop instead of the New Century style spinner (see bottom lure in photo). Circa 1940.
Roman Gang Spoon
This one of two known examples of this Pepper lure. Total length of the four blades is 2 3/4". Each blade is seperated by a glass bead (green and red for this lure) and black for the other known lure. Circa 1915.
Roman Peerless Minnow
This fish shaped bait is 2 5/8" long and according to the catalog it was also made in a 6" size for tarpon - to my knowledge none this size have been found. Many of these baits are not marked and so are hard to identify. Most of the baits had hanging treble or single hooks but a few rigged with a fixed single hook (see next lure). Some of the later baits had painted eyes.This bait appears tobe very similar to the Del Rey Minnow. Circa 1915.
Roman Peerless (special)
This is the same bait as above except it has an unusual fixed single hook with weed guard. Circa 1915.
Roman Silver Minnow
This is a very tough Pepper lure - this being the only one I have ever seen. Body measures 1 7/8" long and has side fins. Circa 1920.
Roman Swiss Swing
This is one of Peppers very last lures. Only found in a mock up catalog for the 1961 line which never went into production. Obviously production of this lure was very limited and I have seen only two - one with brass beads and one with nickel beads. Both have a nickel spinner.Circa 1961.
Rome Special Wobbler
This fish shaped lure is another very tough Pepper bait. Body measures 2 1/4" long and it has two replaceable single hooks. Came in nickel, brass and silver. Circa 1910.
Sandy Creek Weedless
This bait was produced for many years starting in 1908. The pictured bait is a later model with the painted eye on the body. Length of body is 3 1/2" and it looks much like a large Johnson spoon.
Sandy Pond Spinner
This was another of Peppers last lures. It came in nickel, brass and white. All had the red eye painted as shown. Blade is 2 3/4" long. Circa 1960.
Scout (style 1)
This fish shaped lure measures 3 1/8" long and came in nickel and brass. The bait has painted eyes and a fluted body. Circa unknown.
Scout (style 2)
Here is another example where Pepper used the same name on more than one lure. The body of this bait is 1 3/8" long and is brass with a painted head. It is rigged with two single hooks. Circa unknown.
Silver King Spinner
This bait was in the Pepper line up for many years starting in 1915. The long leader and white card in this photo is an example of a very early Silver King. Lure was made with 2 1/4" and 4" blades and had many finishes as
well as hook arrangements.
well as hook arrangements.
Silver Witch
I previously called this a Silver King Twin as it has Silver King blades attached together with a 20th Century Spinner in front. It is very rare - I have seen three of them. Recently I found this lure listed in a 1916 Shakespeare catalog as a Silver Witch. With both the body and front spinner both turning it must have caused a lot of turbulance in the water. Circa 1916.
Snooper
This is another of the last lures Pepper introduced. The bait is 2" long and came in silver and gold. Eyes were painted as shown. Bait was produced only one year so is fairly uncommon. Circa 1960.
South Bay Spinner
This bait was made with several size blades from 1 1/4" to 4". The earliest baits had a long wire leader as in the photo. Later baits had a shorter shaft. Bait came in nickel, brass and copper and utilized several type hooks. Circa 1915.
Spinning Miller
This bait has a 1 1/2" blade finished in a combination of brass and nickel. Circa 1915.
Spinning Minnow
This is a very tough Pepper bait with only a few known. Body is 2 1/4" long and has round side fins with painted eyes. The hook can be easily changed. Bait has been found in nickel and brass. Circa unknown.
Spinning Spinner
This is a very rare bait and may have never gone into production. It appears in no catalogs and based on the card it may well have been a salesman's sample. A good friend found two of these and was kind enough to give me this one to ad to my collection. Note the use of two balls behind the New Century Spinner. Circa unknown.
Stream Lined Minnow
Based on the number found this must have been one of Peppers best sellers. Body is lead and very heavy. The usual spinner on the front is a New Century (1/2" or 1") but others are found. Top left bait has a pointed floppy prop, the lower left bait has a 20th Century spinner and the two on the right have never had props. The bait on the bottom right is wood. Circa 1938.
Susquehanna Casting Spinner
This bait has a 1 3/8" tear drop blade. The earliest Susquehanna baits had a long wire leader and were called the Susquehanna Boss. Bait came in nickel, brass, copper and red/white. Many hook configurations are found. Circa 1908.
Sylvan Beach Spinner
This bait has a 1 1/4" blade which is finished in nickel/brass, nickel/copper, copper, brass and red/white. Earlier baits have a longer wire leader as the lower bait in this photo shows. Circa pre 1925.
Trolling Spoon
This is a very tough Pepper bait. This one and one other are the only ones that I know of at this time. Blade is 1 7/8" long and according to the catalog it came in brass, copper, nickel and white. Circa 1915.
Twin City Weedless Spinner
This bait came with three size blades (unspecified in catalog) - this one is 1 1/4" long. Finishes available were nickel, brass, copper, white and nickel/brass. Circa 1904.
Twinkler
The Twinkler came with a 1 3/8" teardrop style blade, painted or unpainted, with half the blade hammered. The body is solid brass and quite heavy. Circa 1955.
Water Witch
This bait appears to be very similar to the Twin City Spinner except it has a longer leader. Circa 1904.
Wobble Bait Spinner
This bait came as both a wobbler and as a spinner. Blade is 2" long and came in many finishes. Circa 1915
Uncataloged Musky Spinner
This appears to have been a special order bait as no other Pepper bait like it has been found. As you can see the bait overall is nearly 8" long. It has a 20th Century Spinner on the front, huge double fluted spinners on the shaft supported by 3 glass beads in front and 4 glass beads on the rear. At one time the hook was feathered. Circa unknown but this appears to be very early.
Uncataloged Spinner
I have had this bait in my collection for many years without being able to find any information about it. Due to the shape of the fins, glass beads and the fancy fly it appears to be a Pepper but it is not signed anywhere. If anyone has any info on this bait I would love to hear from you.
Uncataloged Pearl Spinner
This also appears to be a special order or "end of the day" lure. Bait has two pointed props in front of a pearl spinner. Circa unknown.
Uncataloged Spinner Fly
This beautiful bait seems to be a one of a kind. The New Century Spinner has painted eyes and the bait has an excellent fancy fly similar to those found on some early Bat Wings. Circa unknown.
Uncataloged String Wound Spinner
The body for this bait is made from sting windings. The 20th Century Spinner has a ball between it and the body which seems to indicate it is an early bait. No listings in catalogs has been found for this type bait.
Uncataloged Spinner
Another very plain unknown spinner.
Uncataloged Trolling Spinner
Little is known about this rather plain trolling spinner. Circa unknown.
Uncataloged Spinner
Little is known about this rather plain spinner. The blade is 1 1/2" long and another I have like it has a 3" blade.
Uncataloged Wobbler
This bait measures 2" long, is fluted and has a painted tack eye. I have another like it except that one was never painted (nickel), it has no eye and is rigged as a spoon with a fixed single hook. Circa unknown.
Uncataloged Wobbler
This rather plain wobbler is 2 3/4" long. Not found in any catalogs. Circa unknown.
Uncataloged Spoons
These spoons measure 2 1/2" long and each has a single fixed hook. Not found in any catalog.
