[TimH]

I am asking for some assistance. I have a lure that I purchased at a fishing show at the Palace of Auburn Hills about 12 years ago. When I bought the lure the company selling it called it the "Lil Ernie." Unfortunatley I do not remember the company name. This lure is the best. If the water is calm and you want non-stop surface lure action, this is the one to use. I would love to buy some more of these lures, but I cannot find them anywhere, and I have been looking for years. Some lure details: It has a rattle inside, will swim six inches deep on a quick retreve, or you can pop it along the top of the water. I have included a picture in case anyones has seen one somewhere. Any possible leads are appreciated.

 

[Woods Before Water]

I tried to do an internet search for you and came up with lil ernie lures but they were much bigger than the one you had.

 

[Zib]

The Li'l Ernie is a musky bait made by Musky Mania Tackle (Pete Mania). The lure you have was most likely a homemade lure.

You can try asking on Tackle Underground. Lots of guys on there that make their own tackle & some might be able to make that lure for you (for a price of course).

 

[little guy]

The eye and paint pattern remind me of a Storm product. Wiggle warts, Hot n Tots, etc. Although I don't see that lure in their current product line it doesn't mean that it wasn't 12 years ago.

 

[Contender]

Think that lure, might be a We-wart.

A tiny version of the Wiggle Wart, mentioned above. I have not seen any we-warts around in years though.

 

[Woods Before Water]

Here is a link to vintage storm lures. There are a couple that are pretty close to what you have.

http://www.vintagestormlures.com/page17.html

 

[Will Schultz]

QUOTE(Zib @ Jul 30 2009, 08:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The Li'l Ernie is a musky bait made by Musky Mania Tackle (Pete Mania). The lure you have was most likely a homemade lure.

You can try asking on Tackle Underground. Lots of guys on there that make their own tackle & some might be able to make that lure for you (for a price of course).

Close... The Ernie is made under the brand Musky Mania by Drifter Tackle. Pete (actual name Maina not Mania) has no stake in the company since he and his last partner sold the company to Drifter. Please don't take this as me being a "know it all", just wanted to set the facts straight.

As for the little bait in the photo is looks like something Storm might have made. If you can't find one (and you might have tried this already) a Baby One Minus might work for you too.