Whether you are a hardcore collector or just have a stash of old plugs in your man cave, then the 10th annual Saltwater Lure Collector Club Show is a must-attend event for you!
Taking place on Saturday, May 4, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm at Wite’s of Westport in Westport, MA, this is your opportunity to both view some of the most amazing collections of vintage surf fishing lures and memorabilia and get some information on that mystery plug in your stash. Be sure to bring along some of your plugs if you’d like to get an appraisal or ID on them as this is the single largest gathering of saltwater lure collectors in the world! There will also be opportunities to purchase both vintage plugs and brand new creations from club members with such well-known names as Big Water Lures, Joe Paiva, Guppy Lures, Atlantic Plug & Lure Co., Afterhours and many more represented among the club’s membership.
As both a practitioner as well as a fan of surf fishing, the history of how we got to where we are today is of paramount interest to me. From tackle developments to stories of a by-gone era, there is value in what came before us. Many of today’s surfcasters take for granted what it took by our parents, grandparents and great grandparents just to get out and fish the surf. It wasn’t as easy as Googling a new technique or how-to video if you wanted to learn something new; you had to go out and test ideas until you found what did or did not work. The same was true of lure and tackle development, and preserving this rich history is what the SWLCC is all about.
The Salt Water Lure Collector Club was established in 2009 and is a non-profit organization made up of a diverse group of individuals who share a common interest, or should we call it a passion, for the history of salt water sport fishing and the lures and lure makers of times past. The “Golden Age of Surf Fishing” from roughly 1945 to 1960 is the focus of many collectors, but baits made and used prior to the end of WWII as well as lures produced well after the 1960’s, including present day custom plug builders, are also of interest to many.
This event is free and open to the public and highly recommended! And if you need a little more motivation, be sure to check out some pictures from the 2016 show. Just try not to drool on your computer screen!
