80's and 90's. I remember that package and miss the price

 

In the first picture the one in the middle is the oldest and was possibly produced in the late 70's. The second picture the one on top is the oldest and again could have been made in the late 70's. The fifth picture could also have been made in the late 70's. Do they all have the model number stamped into the plastic?

 

I will give you $8 a piece for the 72M FGO and 72M11

 

They're not for sale, sorry!


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Checking for barcodes is a good way to make an educated guess. no barcode usually means prior to 1980 or so, no zipcode in a manufacturers address usually means prior to 1970. no area code or phone numbers with letters usually means prior to 1960.

Old is relative term, from the 80's really isn't that old to me, and would describe a good portion of me tackle.

hang on to a couple to pass down to the next generation and wear out some fish with the rest. Take some pictures. I am sue he would appreciate seeing his lures hanging from some fish lips.

Darrell

 

The only ones with barcode are the ones on the far left and right which I assumed to be newer based on the similarity to the logo they use now


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http://vintagefishinglurecollection.com/lure-l/ls-bait-co/

 

MirrOlures, not sure of the years they were produced.
Oldest ones had white eyes, then brown, to current red & clear.
Lure style & color info use to be stamped on the bottom of each lure, until a fire destroyed the factory. A decade ago, maybe. (????)
Newer lures do not have that stamped labeling.

Here are some of the different styles they used to make.
Hope this helps. ....... ICM
View attachment 75897

 

all the older ones have info stamped on the bottom



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This one was made in the 50's. Not sure where I got it, but it is a 00M.

 

Sentimental value is definitely what I'm dealing with here! Thanks for the info y'all


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And of course, merry Christmas!


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FYI, located my history of L&S Lures/Mirolure book which goes up to 2000. The 72M began production in 1972 and they were still making it in 2000 and at that time only came in the colors 9 and 11.

The pop-top/snap shut reusable lure box came out in 1992 and was replaced by the bubblepack card in 1998 or 1999. Prior to 1992 they came in a hard plastic box.

The fire at the Costa Rica plant was after 1999.

 

That's really cool! What's the book look like?


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Just got off the phone with Debbie Jones at L&S Lures and she asked Eric and he said they stopped in late 2008 or early 2009 putting the model numbers on the bottom. It was because there was a fire at the plant that burned up the molds for the lures being made in Costa Rica.

 

The book is called A Million Mirrolures: The History of the L&S Bait Company 1937-2000 by Stephen L. Lumpkin. It is actually book 2 in a series of The History of Illinois Fishing Tackle. L&S Lures began in Bradly/Kankakee, Illinois by Harold LeMaster and his brother in law Phil Shriner.

 

I may be wrong but I think the Costa Rica plant made parts for Islander lures and did not affect MirroLure production. I was fishing about 100 yds from Eric Bachnik when he got the call regarding the plant. Fished the next day with his brother and if I remember correctly he said the factory produced the skirts for the Islander line.

 

Well Debbie asked Eric Bachnik during his lunch break yesterday and then relayed the info to me. Really doesn't matter, they had a fire at a plant and molds were destroyed and heat stamping equipment. When they went back into production they stopped heat stamping. Unfortunate decision in my opinion for the consumer. I don't believe Phil shriner or Harold leMaster would have agreed with that choice.

 

Eric would certainly know more than I do.....glad they stayed in business......very productive product line........