November 2012
Weed King
Sevdy Automotive Enterprises
Worthington, MN
1949
It is no secret that now my main focus in regards to collecting fishing lures has been lures made in Minnesota. Thanks to working at some sport shows and word of mouth, I have met some people that owned, worked at, or knew people associated with some MN lure companies. Learning of this history is of great value to me, and I am trying to always learn more.
A few years ago, I met a family that knew a man named Howard Sevdy. Howard was a very talented man who owned a company called Sevdy Automotive Enterprises in Worthington, MN. At his business he did auto body work, built replica cars, and even worked on airplanes. (Note: for some interesting history on the town of Worthington, please click here.)
In 1949, Howard branched off into a new business…making fishing lures! He had a idea for “the greatest bait ever made for bass” that would be 100% weedless and the plug would be designed to make it possible to take fish off the hook with ease. This lure was the Weed King Weedless Plug.
This wooden plug was only made in one size and color, red and white. It had a treble hook on the back that was barbless. Yes, you read that right…barbless. Per the directions, you were to push the hooks inside the lure by holding the plug with your hand and pushing the hooks against a hard surface. When you heard a “snap”, the hooks were locked in place.
The lure sank, so retrieving speed determined the depth of the lure. If you wanted the lure to run shallow, you basically had to reel the bait in faster.
When a fish bit, the bite pushed a level on the side of the plug. This released the spring-loaded hooks that would shoot into the fishes mouth…that is…if everything lined up perfectly.
Howard advertised this lure in Field and Stream and sold the lures for $2.75 each in a cardboard picture box. After low sales, he sold them for $1.98. After the lures still did not sell well, he offered them in a clear box…and then stopped sales altogether. Only about 2,000 of these lures were manufactured.
Howard actually received one letter from a customer that stated “The lure is not only weedless, it’s fishless!”
But now, over 60 years later…this lure is somewhat in demand. Not by fisherman…but by collectors. Lures that never caught on and therefore few were made are what some lure collectors are looking for.
So, Howard Sevdy can be proud with the fact that he does have a place in Minnesota lure history!
If you have some Minnesota lure history you wish to share with me…please contact me. I would love to hear from you!!
