Kids love stuff. That’s a fact. And it’s a safe bet that any kid who likes fishing also likes the tackle that goes with it.
Knowing that, why not take it a step further and introduce them to the hobby of collecting old fishing tackle? It’s a great way to further their interest in the sport, especially when the fish aren’t biting. And it sure as heck beats watching them stare at their phone or play video games.
There are countless ways to pursue collecting, and it doesn’t cost a lot to start. I know this first hand, as I got both of my sons involved at an early age.
And I’m glad I did. Some of the lures they collected then are now worth many times more than what we paid.
By choosing the right direction, your kid’s collection could become a nice nest egg for the future. It just takes a little discipline and knowledge.
How I got started
I’m not sure exactly when I caught the collecting bug, but I know it was at an early age — not long after I was introduced to fishing. My grandmother was a buyer and seller of antiques, and she would take my mom and me along on her frequent shopping sprees. Those included garage and estate sales, thrift stores and flea markets — all of which were prime for picking.
Those ventures seemed like treasure hunts. I remember scouring through piles of old, used tackle, hoping to find a gem or two. In fact, I still get excited about the prospects of making a “find” today.
I attend vintage tackle shows, search message boards, eBay and countless other auction sites — all in the hope of turning up a rare rod, reel, lure or some other angling artifact.
Getting a kid started
When it comes to fishing tackle, most kids are easy to please. Show them something bright and shiny (or perhaps odd and goofy), and they’re hooked.
It could be made of plastic, wood or even metal. It doesn’t really matter. Color and body style will likely contribute more to the choices they make.
One surefire area for them to consider is “creature” lures — those having lifelike attributes, like frogs, birds, mice and other critters. There are countless makes of these animal-like lures and many are inexpensive.
Regardless if it was made 100 years ago or just last week, if the item has eye appeal, chances are your kids will like and want it. The hardest part will be keeping them focused … narrowing their collecting interests, so to speak.
The old expression “kid in a candy store” fully applies. So before you start, discuss the possibilities. Learn their preferences. Once you have an understanding of what they like, start slowly — a piece or two at a time. You don’t want to bury them in tackle from the beginning. They won’t develop the appreciation needed to continue if you do.
It’s just like fishing; introduce them to it gradually, so they won’t burn out.
And don’t worry too much if they want to change directions. That’s likely to happen at some point. As long as you’re not spending too much money on the pieces they want, you should be able to recoup those expenditures while maintaining a reasonable budget for whatever it is they want to pursue next.
Places to look
Like I said, I’m constantly looking … pursuing every opportunity time allows. But that may not be feasible for moms and dads trying to fit other stuff into a tight schedule. Finding the time may be a challenge, but it is worth it.
Both of my sons were involved in ball sports, and they loved to fish, yet we still found time to pursue tackle collecting. And I think both are better for it now.
It helped teach them the value of a dollar, and how to negotiate for the items they were after. (By the way, because of the cute factor, kids can often get a better deal than their parents.)
When you begin the search, keep in mind there are many possibilities close to home. Garage sales, flea markets, antique and thrift shops — all of these have potential, while adding fun to the search. And there’s always eBay. You can find just about anything related to fishing there. Look for the “Vintage Fishing Collectibles” section and type whatever it is they like into the search bar. You should find plenty of items to choose from.
Collecting clubs, too, are great places to try. Most have websites and Facebook pages dedicated to recruiting new members and would welcome a young boy or girl interested in the hobby … even help mentor them, in fact.
Most clubs also host shows where patrons actively buy, sell and trade, and they’re scheduled throughout the year. Some are large, but most are small and easily toured in an afternoon.
By taking your kids to these shows, they’ll see some fabulous collections — many that are educational with true historical significance. They’ll also meet some very knowledgeable people who will help guide them on their quest. Some clubs even have youth groups.
With Christmas just around the corner, what better way to gift a young angler than to introduce him or her to the world of vintage fishing collectibles? To learn more about clubs and shows, visit the sites listed below.
Happy hunting!
Collectors clubs:
National Fishing Lure Collectors Club (www.nflcc.org)
Old Reel Collectors Association (www.orcaonline.org)
Florida Antique Tackle Collectors Association (www.fatc.net)
Carolina Antique Tackle Collectors (www.carolinaantiquetacklecollectors.com )
Joe’s Old Lures (www.joesoldlures.com)
Canadian Antique Fishing Tackle Association (www.cafta.ca)
Salt Water Lure Collectors Club (www.swlcc.com)
