Creek Chub Crawdad Prototype
Updated October 18, 2026
| Lot number | 49 |
| Estimate | 150.00 - 200.00 USD |
| Auction | Fall Tackle Auction - Saturday |
| Date | November 7, 2026 at 11:00 PM EST |
| Auction house | Blanchard's Auction Service LLC |
| Location | Potsdam, New York |
Coming with a letter signed by Harry Heinzerling, this important early Crawdad prototype was hand made by Carl Heinzerling circa 1906. Measuring 3 3/8" in length, the wood body is hand painted in a black and green "Crawdad" pattern with reddish/brown accents, the underside of the tail with stripes, the belly with small spots, and a single belly weight behind the hook hanger. It is very easy to see this was the predecessor to the 300 Crawdad. With expected general wear, hook marks, a few flakes and rubs, age lines and a ring around the belly weight. Two photos of this lure are included with the Heinzerling letter, which mentions a similar bait illustrated in <i>Early Fishing Plugs of the U.S.A.</i> by Art and Scott Kimbal. For any Creek Chub collection this historically significant Crawdad with provenance would be an important addition.