 |
| These Floating surface minnows often go unnoticed and unrecognized by collectors. When I first added this to my collection many years ago, several Keeling collectors were not convinced that this was a Keeling. Some even felt it was a Moonlight Bait Company lure. At the time , I felt certain it was a Keeling /Hico variation. It features the later Keeling low quality props and glass eyes. |
 |
| The props were enough to make me believe me that this was indeed a Keeling. The metal piece located behind the prop is what actually convinced me it indeed was a Keeling. This metal piece was used on many other earlier Keeling baits as a prop bearing and was also used as a part of Keelings spring loaded hook hardware. |
 |
| This is an early no eyed St. John's wiggler with hand painted gill marks utilizing the Keeling spring loaded hardware.This hardware allowed for easy hook removal.The metal piece seen here on the belly hook hardware was inset into the baits body on top of an inserted spring. The wire piece that actually held the hook inserted into the exposed portion of the metal device. By depressing the metal piece into the bait the hook could be easily removed. The internal spring would force the metal piece out during normal use, and close a gap between the wire and the body. This would allow the hook to remain secure while in use. |
 |
| Until just recently the previously shown Yellow surface minnow was the only Keeling bait I had seen using the metal piece behind the low end propellers. After finding this second example, I am convinced there are likely more of these out there. |
 |
| This is another Keeling bait that sometimes is written off as a modification by a fisherman. This Keeling Tom was made without the Keeling patented double wing. Although often unrecognized, the attached spinner is no doubt an Keeling original. I have seen examples of these spinners individually attached to Keeling factory cards. |
 |
| Students of Fred Keeling baits will recognize this copper spinner as the same one used on his earliest solder lipped Tom baits, as well as the Redwing and King Bee bait. |
 |
| Here's another Keeling Tom bait utilizing this copper spinner . This one is directly attached with a screw. |
 |
| Here are a couple small Keeling baits to look out for. Collectors refer to these as acorn and peanut baits due to their shape. These can be found with the Keeling early prop as well as the later low quality floppy prop without any bearing. |
 |
| This is Fred Keeling's attempt at a jointed bait. Utilizing a plain Tom body and an acorn head. |
 |
| Here is an example of an early solder lipped Tom , showing the same copper spinner occasionally found on the much later Keeling Tom variations shown above. I hope this will help you recognize some overlooked Keeling baits. There are countless variations of Keeling baits. These are only a sampling of Fred Keelings many creations. I am always looking to ad Keeling paperwork to my collection. I am especially looking for Keeling letterhead as well as any early Miscellaneous lure company letterhead. |
