Helin later reintroduced a select lineup of retro wooden models for the added cost of 50 cents more per lure. Visit The Fishin' Hole today or give us a call! Still works great. The classic Flatfish is a lure that is recognizable on sight. Find the cheap Flatfish Lures, Find the best Flatfish Lures deals, Sourcing the right Flatfish Lures supplier can be time-consuming and difficult. The Original Flatfish. My memory of the story. In this episode of TAFishing Graeme goes fishing for flatfish and shows you the rigs, tips and tactics to help you catch more fish. The idea was that if a lure could reproduce a lifelike swimming action at a variety of retrieval speeds, not only would it be a top-notch fish attractor, it would also prevent the fish from quickly identifying and discounting the lure as artificial. During the 1920s, he experimented with a variety of different lure designs, including spoons, spinners, and bass bugs among others. I usually break them out when nothing else seems to be working. It's a very nice finish, good size and weight, moving like a small animal close to the water's surface. No matter where you are fishing, or what you are fishing for, the Flatfish... Worden's Original Flatfish lures have been catching fish for over 50 years. Helin also liked to tinker around and create his own fishing lures. MY GO-TO BASS FISHING LURES The various lure categories within the Fishing Tackle section of this website keep getting larger the more lures I try, so I thought it might be helpful to create a new page here which summarises the information into a simple list of my go-to bass fishing lures - those bass fishing lures that rarely if ever leave the two lures boxes that I take out fishing with me. I've used them for large mouth bass, which produced my largest to date 7lbs., and even made a few. These scented imitation ragworm are renowned for catching most fish that swim and flounder are no exception. I would like to have a copy of the old brochure they had telling about a fisherman that died and went to hell and the devil showed him all the fine lakes boats and tackle he could use in hell. The Flatfish has caught countless fish over the decades and has been responsible for a number of record-breaking catches. $0.99. Halibut are considered in a separate article, here we will focus on fishing for smaller species. These lures are not copies, they are the original Charlie Helin design. area. Vintage Helin Flatfish 4" Lure Body,Vintage Lures,Bass Lures,Helin Flatfish. Green Frog Imitation color, U20, 3 1/2" Wood, 3 Treble Hooks YE. Helin believed many strikes were missed due to the lack of flexibility and finesse in the retrieve. 3-Gang Hooking. He immediately dubbed his new lure creation “The Flatfish.”. Your email address will not be published. Best 2 wks. Thank you, Have a wooden T4, 3.5″ troller, 3 gang treble, black top, silver scale bottom, seen plenty of use, circa 1960’s. In 1934 Helin applied for a patent and began marketing the first handmade wooden Flatfish, selling 400 the first year. While our inventory turns over qu The only problem, if you can call it that, is that the lure is very light, so casting in wind is problematic, and you don't get the distance you would with a spoon. “It really fit perfectly into our line of freshwater lures,” said Phillips. Ive got a loaded tackle box but i revert to my wooden frog colored flatfish along lillie pads. Buying Request Hub makes it simple, with just a few steps: post a Buying Request and when it’s approved, suppliers on our site can quote. While the Flatfish design was super successful and widely marketed, there are plenty of lesser-known lures in the Helin brand which hold much more rarity. I’ve got a cool one with two trebles on the front that run next to each other on a wire spreader. Popular in the mid-late 20th Century the classic Helin Flatfish was once a go-to lure for "all freshwater game fish" - it was originally used for very slow trolling for bass, walleye, pike and panfish in the USA, with the paint patterns resembling frogs, crayfish and the supernatural, and available in an amazing variety of sizes - all brisling with multiple hooks. Helin began by whittling wooden plugs in different shapes and sizes, looking for the perfect design and action. Lures for flatfish. Helin used smaller, lighter hooks on the Flatfish, which he felt provided greater penetration on hooksets than big heavy hooks, which adversely affected the action. These are great to cast or troll and with so many colors going back many decades they are becoming quite collectible. Great pics. After some final, minor tweaks, the Flatfish was perfected on September 12, 1933. $4.00 shipping. I can’t wait to try them at the Wachusett reservoir come April. Great article, would love to see one on the spoonplug. Although most freshwater lures are produced for the bass fishing market, artificial lures can be used to catch other species of fish, such as crappie, perch, walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge. By the late 1920s Helin had fashioned over 100 individual lures, yet he felt there was still one major problem to tackle. Excellent service. Used this lure, in all sizes, for years on trout and it is a slayer. “I think sometimes people think of it as an old-time lure, but most people that fish with it continually and like to use it will tell you that it’s one of their most productive lures.”, The Flatfish was one of the first fishing plugs created primarily for consistency in swimming action. Although early Flatfish models were made of wood, they were later changed to plastic to save on manufacturing and labor costs. Ending Dec 6 at 6:03PM PST 9d 21h. The older lures were made of wood, up until the 1950s when they fully transitioned to plastic, so some of the old wooden varieties are particularly rare. With cheep, crud tools, made one after buying some baby screw eyes, assembled it with no paint, just bare wood, hardware, was trying action on local lake, caught a small Blackbass, ! This novel concept eventually paved the way for an entire generation of modern swimming lures and crankbaits available today. “Every day you hear people say, ‘oh yeah, I remember that lure,’” said Phillips. Vintage Miscellaneous Minnow Antique Fishing Lure Lot Helin Cisco Beeno Etc JJ19. “OVER 10,000,000 HAVE BEEN SOLD” FR. Top deal of the day : Save up to 20% on flatfish lures sale bargains! “From some of the stories I’ve heard, he was very outgoing, almost flamboyant,” said Rob Phillips, marketing director for Yakima Bait Company, makers of the Flatfish. Good articles, I enjoy the fishing reports. During the 1960s, the introduction of Pacific salmon into the Great Lakes served to give the Flatfish an added boost in popularity and sales. Subscribe to our newsletter I use to use them when I was a kid (30 years ago) and caught every type of fish with them: bass. We fished in a mountain river and later in a lake for trouts. In that time, the Flatfish expanded into several specified models geared toward technique (surface, submerged, trolling, expert), gear (fly rod, spinning), and fish species, (lake trout, pike, musky). The fisherman looked in the tackle box and said there’s no flatfish and the devil said that’s why they call this place hell. I retired a few wooden Flatfish that were beat up by fish . By 1970, over 40 million Flatfish had been sold. During the years that Helin ran the company, the evolution of the Flatfish was fairly well documented. The Flatfish was available in a wide variety of colors and sizes, ranging between 1 inch and 7 inches long, featuring several hook styles that included offset pairs (using spreader bars under the lure) and standard inline hook configurations. Comparison shop for Flatfish lures Fishing Gear in Sports Equipment & Outdoor Gear. i have been looking for the surface flatfish for along time great bait,do they stil make the s- class. http://www.lurelore.com/fishcake.html. Started trolling with the lure on my line when a Largemouth Bass(3+# hit hard. By spring of 1933, Helin had hand-carved about 1,500 individual plugs. Blue Twist 10cm Freshwater Lure Bass Lures Saltwater Swimbait Hard Fishing Lure Diving Bass Bait. Just got back from 5 days at Jacks Landing China Flatfish Lures, Flatfish Lures from China Supplier - Find Variety Flatfish Lures from fishing lures ,jointed fishing lure ,frog lure, Fishing Lures Suppliers Located in China, Buy Flatfish Lures Made in … In the late 1980s, it became time for the elderly Charles Helin to relinquish operation of the company. Make Offer - New NOS HELIN TACKLE CO FLATFISH Fishing Lure Bass MODEL NO. The action can’t be beat and though plastic is okay I looked high and low to fine a wooden version as they seemed to run truer and for us caught many more fish. Trout. Between 1935 and 1949, over 5 million Flatfish were sold. Yakima Bait FlatFish Lure 955BLOS - F7 SKU #: 01791771 UPC #: 052237070110 Color(s): Black Orange Spots Size / Weight: Length: 2-1/4" Weight: 0.13 oz. Another Helin lure was the fishcake which had a forward propeller. The Flatfish and a Jitterbug was all I ever needed as a kid fishing the lakes and ponds of Central Maine. With that being said, there is one thing to keep in mind. I remove the twoset middle hooks and replace with a sigle medium size treble, then remove the rear treble and replace with a single Siwash hook, keeps bigger fish hooked and less damage for releasing. I will do my best to describe the lures for you. For over 50 years the FlatFish has been around and catching fish with its one-of-a-kind swimming action. You could fish all over the lake and never see a camp or cottage. I bought the Worden's flatfish one and tasted it recently with the best results. By John D. Silva. “We’ve added a number of colors to the line, and we have made a few changes in the hardware specs,” stated Phillips. bragged to anyone who would listen, saved it in freezer, for ever, one day mom threw it out, had hoped to have it mounted, have money now, still want to make a bunch with good tools. Man we used to catch a lot of fish on those!’”. Yakima Original Flatfish LureYakima Original Flatfish Lure - This lure is one of the most productive lures of all time. All of these flatfish are in used shape. Not sure however if … Great lure! Still a great lure The classic Flatfish is a lure that is recognizable on sight. Side Refine Panel. Info Lure Fishing for Bass Lure Fishing for Bass stocks more bass lures than any other UK shop. Three of the lures are wood and the other is plastic. And in many cases, it allowed the fish to recognize the bait as being artificial before striking. When did Helin stop making wooden Flatfish? Bass trolling lures are another widely varied topic. Popular in the mid-late 20th Century the classic Helin Flatfish was once a go-to lure for "all freshwater game fish" - it was originally used for very slow trolling for bass, walleye, pike and panfish in the USA, with the paint patterns resembling frogs, crayfish and the supernatural, and available in an amazing variety of sizes - all brisling with multiple hooks. Ideal for UK bass lure fishing with hard lures and a real bargain at £109.99. Helin knew at once he had found what he was looking for. Good to have in your arsenal. Although it only works when conditions are just right this lure can change a slow day into a great day. Product arrived quickly. “‘That’s the lure I used to fish with my dad. Required fields are marked *, Copyright © 2020 On The Water, LLC. I've been using this kind of lures for years but another brands. The Flatfish was invented in the 1930s by a multi-talented Detroit auto worker named Charles Helin. The flatfish lure from Yakima Bait can be highly effective for trout. Tell us what you think - opens in new window or tab. M2. HELIN TACKLE COMPANY An avid photographer, Helin published his first company brochure in 1939, which included photos, letters and testimonials from anglers who used the Flatfish. Manufacturing: 6342 Pulford Ave. According to Helin, the Flatfish was the only fishing lure that swam perfectly at all speeds and could be slowed down and fished subtly without losing any of its lifelike swimming action. He also discouraged the use of snap swivels with the Flatfish, believing they robbed the lure of some of its natural appearance and motion. Comparison shop for Flatfish fishing lures Fishing Gear in Sports Equipment & Outdoor Gear. This overwhelming success allowed the active and civic-minded Helin to travel the world, meeting and fishing with anglers of all walks of life, while singing the praises of the Flatfish. Especially steelhead. This wobble when fished shallow in the water can cause ripples in the surface that act as a very strong visible trigger for the trout. Shop with confidence. In August that year, he did a test trial with some of his final prototypes in Big Lake in Davisburg, Michigan. “In some of the larger sizes we added rattles.” Flatfish can be used effectively with casting or spinning gear, fly tackle, trolling, there’s almost no limit to the lure’s versatility. Helin lures are some of the most widely used and sold lures of all time. Green Frog Imitation color, T4, 3 3/4" Wood, 4 Treble Hooks FR. If you have spent any time on the water at all, chances are you’ve seen or used this banana shaped lure at some point in your life. or the biggest), but this lure is still one of a very best for SLOW speeds. Vintage Helin Flatfish U20 Crankbait Fishing Lure Black White Red & Black Spots. Therefore, any swiftly devised, mass-produced knockoff could not possibly approach the quality, action and effectiveness of his original design. When fished down deep it can force big predatory lake trout into striking. The secret is the Flatfish's perfect balance and buoyancy that enhances its one of a kind swimming, wide-wobbling action even on slow retrieves. The current colour selection reflects this use for salmonids, with chrome-chartreuse being the most popular. The famous Yakima Bait® Flatfish® Trout and Panfish, originally designed by Charlie Helin, remains one of the most successful lures ever developed. Mar 14, 2016 - Yakima Bait Company » Hawg Nose Flatfish® 5.5 Perch. They are also very handy for tipping metal lures with, which can … We ,parents and great aunts and unckles had a group of 3 cottages owned by a person named Rodgers Akron OH. In 1922 Helin had begun keeping a fishing journal, and he continued to document his fishing observations and successes throughout his life. 90% of the fish were caught on a original f7,black with orange dots, As a grade school kid, had little money but save my pennies, coins, etc by selling anything,saved enough to buy my first flatfish! Being Finnish, Helin had a great distaste for Russia and in a catalogue from 1971 (which I have) stated the fishcake has two propellers: The red spinner, like commies, turns left; the black spinner turns right. The Flatfish was invented in the 1930s by a multi-talented Detroit auto worker named Charles Helin. The wide wobble, side to side motion of the Flatfish drives fish nuts. By the 1980s sales had flopped due to Rapala et c. but Flatfish were discovered to be an excellent tool for getting steelhead and salmon in/near rivers along the West Coast and Great Lakes - where it is fished by pulling it slowly across the current. This lure is also durable and retains its finish for years. Lot of 5 Helin Tackle Co. Flatfish vintage lures. “You know, we sell a lot of our smaller sizes to trout and bass anglers, and medium sizes to steelhead, trout, and walleye guys, and the large sizes are great for lake trout and salmon.” As a result, an angler’s perception of the Flatfish may just depend on what part of the country (or world) they live in. The popularity of the Flatfish steadily increased, with 1,000 sold in 1935, 2,500 in ’36, and over 10,000 in ‘37. “And it had such a great name and reputation.”, The Flatfish is available in 14 sizes and over 100 different colors and combinations. If you have spent any time on the water at all, chances are you’ve seen or used this banana shaped lure … From the famous Flatfish to the Fishcake and the Swimmerpoon. I found this one July of 46 at age of 13 below the breast of Pigeon Lake BobCagen Canada It yellow/lite brown with red streaks and black dots It is covered with teeth marks and never touched water since that day. On slow retrieves, the wide wobble just begs to be eaten. It's also great for the bass and other species fishing too.[...]. By that time Helin had six employees helping him make the Flatfish. As a person who grew up and lived in the mts. Many pro anglers, as well as weekend anglers, have their “favorite” or go-to bass lure. Nice story, however you did not purchase the company from the Helin family!! I've been using a flatfish on eastern rivers and lakes for decades, and these lures are fantastic. See store ratings and reviews and find the best prices on Flatfish fishing lures Fishing Gear with Shopzilla's shopping search engine. “Different sizes work for different fish in different parts of the country,” Phillips explained. Shop our latest Fishing-Plugs products today including WORDENS FLATFISH. Flatfish Lures for Trout. He was getting very close to his final design. of PA. this was a real treat You can use my E mail address if you want. The 1930s design flaw still requires a small weight to be placed about 12" above the lure to keep it from rolling over (ranging from a BB sized split shot for the smallest models to 1/2 oz. If not, then surely your father or grandfather has. If not, then surely your father or grandfather has. They have a great side to side motion, and work well when jerked on top as well. One of the most productive lures of all time, the Worden's® Original Flatfish® is at home fishing for salmon in the Pacific Northwest, chasing walleyes, lake trout, northern pike and muskies, or catching bass. In 1988 the Helin Tackle Company was purchased by the Yakima Bait Company, makers of the Shad King and Roostertail spinner, among others. Your email address will not be published. The first thing I do is modify the hook setup. Office and Shipping: 3669 Meldrum Ave. Helin’s swimming plug would soon become the best selling minnow plug in the world. I love it and recommend this buy. But there are some are some customizations we can do to make them even more effective. Whenever the retrieve was altered, the action disappeared. He and his fishing mates experienced immediate success with the resident bass in the lake. A devoted fisherman, Helin bounced around from job to job so that he could keep his summers free to fish. Original Flatfish lures feature a built-in diving lip that quickly gets these lures down into the strike zone. Application: Freshwater Depth range: 1.5 - 2.5 ft. All Rights Reserved. DETROIT 7, MICH. Etc. No matter where you are fishing, or what you are fishing for, the Flatfish will simply catch fish. The fact that the Flatfish has seemingly been around forever further necessitates the ongoing need to reintroduce and reacquaint younger fishermen with the benefits and features of the classic Flatfish, especially those who haven’t grown up with it. Since I do a lot of catch and release I often replace treble hooks with single hooks. $9.95 22h 35m +$3.95 shipping. But it makes up for it with a realistic action and fantastic results. Was wondering if any of you have ever tried the "Flatfish" lure for stripers. Ditto on pickerel. $10.00. Was a joy to cast and fish. Original papers order form: Fish length:10mm / 3.93 inch, weight:13g diving depth: 2-4 m Top water floating diving crank bait lures Brilliantly replicates color and patterns of actual bait fish Incredible realistic swimming action Rigged with 2 quality treble hooks more Find great deals on eBay for flatfish lures. “I guess he had some family members, but none of them were really interested in taking over the lure business, or their interests were elsewhere.” Yakima purchased all the original molds from Helin and moved the manufacturing operation from Michigan to Granger, Washington.