Taylor's Midget Bass Charmer
Taylor Mfg Co
Minneapolis, MN
1917
May 2023
This may be the first lure in Minnesota made primarily of wood. Unfortunately, very little is known about this company and the lure. It had a relatively short history and was only in business until the early 1920s.
This company made three types of baits. One was a weedless hook made for holding a live bait. The second was called the "Tantalizer" and it was a weedless floating hook with fur.
The third bait was the "Charmer" and it was made in three sizes. The trout size (1 1/2 inches), the midget bass size (2 1/2 inches), and the bass size (3 1/2 inches). Of these three, the two larger sizes are the most often seen, while the trout size is extremely rare.
Each featured a "sideways 'W'" metal lip that is not seen on any other bait that I am aware of. The wood bait came is single or dual colors. Red/White seems to be the most common, but that may be because of the many versions of this color. Red head, white tail...white head, red tail...Half red, half white...etc.
The boxes for these lures are somewhat plain, but are very rare...much more difficult to find than the baits which are tough to find too. I have seen a few Midget Bass Charmer boxes, a couple of Tantalizer boxes, but no Bass Charmer box (yet). As far as the Trout sized lure, they do exist and one box holds 6 trout-sized baits. I am also lucky to own one of these boxes.
I have a Taylor Manufacturing display case and am always looking for colors, baits, and boxes I do not have. If you have any you wish to sell, please contact me.
