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Creek Chub Bait Co.'s |
A special Thank You goes out to Frank Rippinger for his research and input toward this study. |
During 1954 it was decided to reintroduce certain series catalog numbers that had been previously discontinued. These are known as the Replacement Series. During this period CCBCo reassigned these numbers on completely new or modified lure designs. The exception pertains to some odd catalog numbers that will be explained in the three mice series. Certain Replacement Series were offered only in the old Original Series colors (Perch, Silver Flash, etc.), while other new series added some different colors. Some of the replacement series had short production runs & others lasted until 1978/’79. Although it appears that manufacturing details from such a late period should be fairly easy to track & understand, nothing could be further from the truth. As an example, it wasn’t unusual at this time for Creek Chub to use a price list for more than one year or perhaps offer an undated catalog which included a dated insert that often fell out & was lost. Sometimes, the company’s original printed matter had typos or conflicting information within the same year! After researching several binders of CCBCo data I’ve collected & Dr. Smith’s guide book of Creek Chub, the details of production started to make sense. If you see any glaring errors or omissions, please contact me. Now, a few details before we start: |
| • All color listings refer to catalog colors & not special orders. |
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#500 Spoon-Tail: 1954-1956 *Colors: #00 Pikie, #01 Perch, |
This is a larger version of the original #9100 series Spoon-Tail. The #500 series was produced for less than three years. All examples have painted eyes & were never made in plastic. #500 previously used on the original Open Mouth Shiner series during 1918-1931. *All colors manufactured 1954-1956. |
| #800 Giant Jointed Pikie: 1957-1978 Colors: #00 Pikie: 1957-1978, #01 Perch: 1957-1978, #02 Red/White: 1957-1978, #13 Black: 1957-1960 & 1967-1978, #18 Silver Flash: 1957-1978, #30 Orange w/Black Spots: 1957-'61, #33 Black Scale: 1957 & 1961-1978, #34 Blue Flash: 1957-1978, #35 Purple Eel: 1957-1961 |
This is the largest standard production series ever offered by Creek Chub. It is very impressive, especially the examples with glass eyes. #800 previously used on the old Deluxe Wagtail series from 1921-1954. |
#1700 Silver Sides: 1957-1961 *Colors: #00 Pikie: 1957-1961, |
A saltwater bait used primarily in the NE area of the U.S. All production examples have pressed eyes. Shur-Strike & Eger made similar looking baits. #1700 previously used on the defunct Polly Wiggle series from 1923-1931. *This series listed in the catalog’s general index for 1961 but no illustration or specific colors are mentioned. I’m assuming the same colors were continued. |
#1800 Wiggle Diver: 1957-1963 (wood) & 1964-1978 (plastic) Colors: #02 Red/White: 1957-1978, #18 Silver Flash: 1957-1978, |
Originally a Shakespeare bait until the rights were bought by CCBCo in the 1950’s. Wooden examples were made for seven years before being replaced with plastic. The Shakespeare model has “U-Bolt” hook hangers but CCBCo doesn’t. #1800 previously used on the scarce Underwater Spinner Minnow (“5-hook”) series during 1923-1933. |
#5000 Spinning Wiggle Diver: 1959-1961 Colors: #02 Red/White, |
Virtually all of them were produced in plastic although several wooden examples have surfaced over the years. For this reason, they have been included with this grouping instead of the all-plastic series that aren’t covered in this study. Some collectors believe the #5000 wooden lures are Specials. No mention of the wooden model in any Creek Chub catalog. Pictured in the 1962 catalog, but stamped “discontinued”. #5000 previously used by CCBCo on the seldom-seen Close Pin series for the years 1936-1945. * Every color made all three years. |
#6000 Giant Straight Pikie: 1960-1978 Colors: #00 Pikie: 1961-1978, |
1960 was generally the last year Creek Chub produced glass eye baits & the first year for this bait, resulting in a scarce variation within this series. This is another popular collectible from CCBCo. It’s heavily collected from the entire production range due its impressive size & many colors. #6000 previously used on the Midget Beetle series in production from 1939-1954. |
#6380 (Small) Creek Chub Mouse: 1957/8-1963 (wood) & 1964-1978 (plastic) Colors: Gray, White/Red, Black, |
No numerical color code numbers on this series. One of many lures made for Shakespeare by Creek Chub. Eventually several designs were purchased by CCBCo but the old series numbers used by Shakespeare were retained, at least on the mice series. No mention of plastic in 1963 catalog but illustrated & listed in index as plastic in 1964. * All colors were made for every year this lure was produced. |
#6577 (Medium) Creek Chub Mouse: 1957/8-1963, Colors: Gray, Red/White, Black, Tiger, Glo-Pearl. |
This was the most popular seller of the three types of mice in this grouping. The wooden baits had pressed eyes. Close examination is often necessary in order to determine if the lure was a product of: Creek Chub, made for Shakespeare, or a Shur-Strike. No numerical color codes used on this series. * All colors were made in every production year. |
#6580 (Large) Creek Chub Mouse: 1957/8-1963 (wood) & 1964-1978 (plastic) Colors: Gray, Red/White, Black, Tiger, Glo-Pearl. |
CCBCo also made an earlier Lucky Mouse version. It isn’t easily confused with this model. The wooden #6580 has pressed eyes & five catalog colors. Yet another series that used the old Shakespeare code on a Creek Chub bait. No numerical color code on this series. * All colors made each year. |
#7000 Pocket Rocket: Colors: #18 Silver Flash, |
A saltwater surf caster fashioned with painted eyes that didn’t fare well in terms of sales. It’s similar to the #7100 Snook Plunker series except the #7000 is smaller. It shouldn’t take too long to complete this series since only two colors were made. Marked “discontinued” in the 1962 catalog. #7000 previously used on the 1950-1953 Seven Thousand series. *Both colors made all five years. |
| This transitional era brought about many changes. It was an era when glass eye lures were typically replaced with tack eyes (a few late glass eye baits were also made) & a greater emphasis was placed on producing baits in plastic instead of wood. Clearly, this was a difficult time for American lure manufacturers who were feeling the intense competition from foreign makers. Also, shortages of good white cedar for those bait companies using it & a greater struggle than ususal in order to make a profit. In fact, most of the major old line bait companies were already gone. In hindsight, it’s easy to see the belt-tightening at Creek Chub. For instance, earlier full color catalogs & pocket catalogs were replaced respectively with product brochures, inserted price sheets & single color pocket catalogs. Eventually, CCBCo officials decided to sell the company. Without a buyer in the family or community, they finally sold to a competitor & soon closed the doors at Garrett, Indiana in January, 1979. |
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