Glass fishing floats were used by Norwegian fisherman as early as the mid-19th century, but the Japanese popularized the form in the early 1900s. While the Norwegians are known for their egg-shape and rounded floats, the Japanese produced tubular floats known as sausages, as well as rollers, which are like sausages that have been crimped at each end. Types of Japanese floats include torpedo rollers, Tohoku rollers, and pumpkins, which are shaped like the famous fall gourds.
Sometimes floats are found and sold with netting still attached to them, but most floats are collected just as pieces of glass, which can be identified by their embossed markings. Common colors are clear and green. Blue floats are less common and red ones are rare.
Interviews & Articles
The Fun and Artistry of Antique Fishing Lures

I grew up fishing. And I always had a few old lures – several came from my grandfather – and I just decided one day that they were… [more]
Trends in Fishing Tackle Collecting

I’ve been a collector of antique fishing tackle for over 20 years, and have been selling antique tackle in my shop since 1990. I c… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
Joes Old Lures

Joe Yates' website is a great showcase for hundreds of old fishing lures, providing high resolution photos and in m… [read review or visit site]
Mrlurebox.com

Take a big bite - you won't want to just nibble at Robbie Pavey's gallery of over 300 antique fishing lures, many w… [read review or visit site]
AntiqueLures.com

This extensive site features over 500 pages of information on pre-1940 wood fishing lures and lure boxes. Start wit… [read review or visit site]
Bob Vermillion's Fishing Tackle Web Site

Bob Vermillion started collecting lures at age 16, and has created a site dedicated to his love for Frank Knill 'Ve… [read review or visit site]
Oldfishinglure.com

This site is sure to snag you with its great collection of fishing lures from the early 1900s. Includes lures from … [read review or visit site]
TackleCollecting.com

Larry Nicholson's site dedicated to vintage fishing lures. Features beautiful images of lures and boxes from Fred A… [read review or visit site]
Clubs & Associations: Fishing
- National Fishing Lure Collectors Club
- Florida Antique Tackle Collectors
- Carolina Antique Tackle Collectors
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