Source. At a deeper drop-off, I have had luck jigging a spoon up and down, where, again the strike occurs on the downward flutter. His strike had been so strong he stretched out the split ring attaching the lure to the treble hook to look like an elongated letter C. How it remained intact throughout the battle I’ll never know. Buoyed by his success, he expanded the fishing tackle side of the business and soon became a full-service outdoor sporting goods outfitter. ADDRESS: Eppinger Manufacturing, 6340 Schaefer, Dearborn, MI 48126 USA. I fought him for about twenty minutes until I could get him in range of my net. The lure was made of copper, cut and hammered to make it thick in the middle and thin on the edges. 8 This is a beginner’s guide to fishing with info and fishing tips on each step-in learning how to fish.  The question I have had, is how do you fish them effectively? I need some more, great for my muskie fishing. As the media developed he would bring movie camera men and do films. Dardevles have been with us since 1912. Saved by Jason Miller. It’s easy to learn how to fish. Rigging the spoon is simple. But the end of the war served to reinvigorate the business for all the same reasons as in 1918. The proper speed is up, down, left, right. Weedless spoons. Lou J. Eppinger was born in November 1877 on the east side of Detroit. The oldest models are stamped ‘Osprey’. In the past 4-5 years, largemouth bass anglers started to catch big fish and win tournaments. Lure is in great shape. Eppinger - Daredevil Spoons. Yellow color has … 0, No. American Made The sale and manufacturing of the world famous Dardevles, Red Eyes, Sparkle tails, Evil Eyes, Rex Spoons, Buel Spinners fishing lures. “Much of our advertising at that time focused on genuine Dardevles for that reason,” said Cleveland. My reasoning is simple; Dardevle spoons are more versatile. My favorite spoon, I always bring at least one in my tackle boxes. Yes, we live north of Boston and my husband caught the biggest bluefish of his life about a mile offshore in Ipswich Bay casting a large Dardevle. Upon the shop owner’s death he inherited the business at the age of 18, renaming it Eppinger Taxidermy Studio. To fish a jigging spoon, I prefer a 7 foot rod in a medium heavy action. Eppinger was a savvy businessman who knew that the two biggest keys to success were quality craftsmanship and exposure. My good friend Dave, (Hunter 4) has at least 1 good spoon story, probably more. Source. We fished for Walleye’s and Northern Pike. A stop-and-go retrieve has proved productive for me, this lets the spoon drop and flutter. To counteract this Eppinger started printing a devil logo on the spoons after World War II, when Japanese manufacturers began making cheap copies of the lure. The best spoon I have ever used with treble hook. The lure made its marketing debut in Eppinger’s store in late 1917 or early 1918. The most common way to fish with spoons is to cast and retrieve, or troll at a steady pace. Everything Smallmouth - Smallmouth Fishing Tips, Articles and Videos Everyday. What year did daredevil make wooden lures and what did they look like? If for nothing else but get snagged on something and lose it. … “Because most people think it was red and white.” Due to popular demand, Eppinger later added additional colors and combinations including nickel, green frog, and of course the red-and-white striped version universally recognized today. Use rod-tip twitches and brief pauses to give the spoon an erratic darting action, which will substantially boost your score. How to Fish. Before 1910 there were few, if any, lures on the market that had these features. If you retrieve/troll to slow, they move up end down. You can tell the right speed while trolling by watching the lures action in the water as you increase or decrease speed. His ultimate goal was to have a Dardevle in every tackle box. Or you can tip their hooks with cut bait or even a jig skirt or rubber worm to coax light bites. The Dardevle became a household name and a favorite among sportsmen and fishing guides. Eppinger bought large costly ad space in Field & Stream magazine and began working closely with well-known outdoor writers to help publicize the lure. Daredevil (Daredevle) Spoon For Smallmouth Bass. Get this lure again, for old times sake.  Maybe I didn’t catch anything on them when I was a kid because I had no clue how to fish it and I didn’t have Northern Pike in areas I fished growing up in Connecticut. Required fields are marked *, Copyright © 2021 On The Water, LLC. The most common way to fish with spoons is to cast and retrieve, or troll at a steady pace. Over the years Eppinger introduced new lures (including wooden models) and different variations to the Dardevle. The timing had worked out well for selling fishing tackle. A great choice for fishing directly in the thick cover where predators hide. Vintage Eppinger Daredevil IMP Spoon Fishing Lure 2/5 Oz Unused. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. With the business again on the rise, Eppinger spent less and less time in the shop and more toward his own pursuits. You start by putting a high quality swivel 24 inches above your spoon. Jigging a spoon is a lot like ripping a blade bait. I am looking for a daredevil spoon, that is nothing but hunter orange with the devil logo in 1/4 oz. The success of his larger lures lead to the development of other popular sizes like the No. O was there today May 1st. This section covers everything from fishing for beginners and other fishing basics to in-depth details about gear and how to fish different environments. One trick to remember when fishing with spoons like the Best Spoon is to add a swivel. Is Eppinger Manufacturing Company still in business and is the store on Schaeffer Rd., Dearborn Mi still in operation. At the conclusion of World War I, Eppinger decided to change the name from Osprey to Dare Devil. 1. Ed was a savvy marketer, even more so than his uncle. It seems everyone had a Daredevil spoon lure in their tackle box at some point in their lives and many still do. The most common way to fish with spoons is to cast and retrieve, or troll at a steady pace. So Eppinger began experimenting with metal shapes and pounding out lures. So in 1910 he began selling a small selection of fishing tackle. I need some more, great for my muskie fishing. Len Thompson designated his first production spoon the No. By 1917 he began putting the finishing touches on a hand-stamped, oblong-shaped spoon that casted well, was easy to control, and would hold up to the rigors of pike fishing. There are several specific spoon types. View Profile View Forum Posts Private Message Member Join Date Mar 2010 Location. Hinkley Spoons, invented during the late 1800s, are still available. You can cast into deep bays, wait for them to sink to the bottom, and then pop the rod tip to give them a jigging action. Then when he’d come back he would go to [fishing/hunting] club, social clubs and schools to give talks and show his fishing movies to people, particularly young people, and get them interested in fishing.” Ed Eppinger was a super-promoter. Early bait-casting reels didn’t have any brakes on them or serious gears, and they had very slow retrieve ratios. The name Dardevle was stamped on the back with either Detroit (where they were originally stamped) or Dearborn, Michigan. Large Flutter Spoons have been around for a very long time! 41. Cast or trolled, the unique wiggling-and-wobbling action of Eppinger Original Dardevle Spoons is irresistible to pike, walleye, bass, and all other game fish species. John helped me with spoons for my upcoming Northern Ontario trip. “The white stripe was meant to represent a strip of pork.”. I have more strikes doing this, than with the Figure Eight. He did a lot of fishing trips to northern Canada and down into Central America. The daredevil was especially good in some of the lakes while the Mepps were great in flowing water. Thank you, https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/atq/6029081459.html. For all around, i make my own worm harnesses, they are a small spoon, with 2-3 separate hooks that hook on to your worm. Eppinger wanted to create a perfect metal lure that would cast for distance without causing spool backlash and have swimming action incorporated into the design. Try Different Baits. I think people who are catching fish by cast and retrieve are inadvertently hitting the right speed without knowing it. He increased advertising and expanded lure colors and combinations. But within the lure industry this often creates a big problem for the original brand; whereas copies may not quite feature the same quality and attention to detail as the original. I was reminiscing about fishing as a kid and was wondering if the old Daredevil spoon can be used for smallmouth bass. He was gregarious, enthusiastic, and likeable. Dr.Fish 3Pcs Fishing Spoons Lure Weedless Spoon Surf Fishing Bank Fishing Long Casting Saltwater Baits Rattling for Bass Trout Snook Pike Stripers Crappie 3.6in 2/3 oz 3.9 out of 5 stars 90 $10.99 $ 10 . Does anyone know if Eppingers made any salt water plugs ? When I was a teen I used to go on a fishing trip every Summer with my Dad and some of his buddies. No evidence of use. As a teenager, he served an apprenticeship in taxidermy. Shipped with USPS First Class. 00, and the even larger No. More Daredevle tips from Field and Stream: Daredevle Spinnie Hours open? Taxidermy being somewhat of a seasonal business, Eppinger wanted to expand and increase his year-round income. If so I will send you photos of the cans and my asking price. Thanks for any repalys and if so, please share their phone numbers. As the fishing season goes on, the fish will grow larger. 02-24-2011, 04:14 PM #5. pdh. Trout actually prefer the larger 2 and 3 oz spoons while pike prefer the smaller. I caught a STATE RECORD red ear for Missouri by the time I found out I already released him. “One of the reasons our spoons can really bang on the fish is that if you change your retrieve, vary the speed, move it smoothly or, conversely, add some action, as you change it up, you change how the spoon flashes and moves through the water. Anyone know? This was a fairly sensible pursuit at the time. The action of a spoon is so universal, so fundamental to the process of catching fish that the best sellers way back when look just like the best sellers of today. First, attach it to your line with a small snap to give the lure a free-ranging wobble. While I don’t deny that the T-60 is an awesome lake trout lure, I am firmly in the Eppinger camp when it comes to the best lake trout lure of all time. “All red and white spoons are essentially copies of the Dardevle,” he stated. Your email address will not be published. The best spoon I have ever used with treble hook. One has your price tag, marked $1.00, RARE BRASS DARDEVLE Fishing Lures (Spoons) (Pontiac), Could you please take a look at my craigslist ad of my Lures (Spoons) Some worked out and some didn’t. Can't find anything in my searches, but somebody has to have trolled them and hit bottom at some depth. Towards the end of the season, select a larger spoon that'll stick in the fish's mouth, and appear as attractive prey. Within outdoor circles he became affectionately known as ‘Mr. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. All Rights Reserved. 2 thinking that he would someday manufacture a smaller lure and call it a No. Daredevil lures move through the water in three ways depending on how fast you are trolling or retrieving them. Great lures the Daredevel. “Ed is the guy that really became the marketer of the company,” said Cleveland. I don’t know how you can determine the speed of a retrieve though. Thanks for a great spoon…, I did catch a small mouth to only at Bushwhacker lake Missouri, Your email address will not be published. While in the basement of the shop manufacturing of the Dardevle rolled on. Original Dardevle Spoons (Red/White, 1/4 oz.). Maybe you’ll even catch a smallie this time! I used Daredevil and Mepps lures almost exclusively for a few years I was stationed near Kenai, Alaska back in the early 60s. The Daredevle spoon for smallmouth bass is an underutilized option and I think I need to try it soon! This is to prevent line twist. In some areas in Canada and northern New England this classic lure is still referred to as the “Red Devil.” In other places the spelling becomes literal, pronounced ‘Dar’ Devil. I was fortunate to net a 31.25 inch Walleye on a green Crocodile spoon once, they will produce a fish or 2. Avoid casting to spots between the fish and the sun because the lure’s shadow may spook the fish. If you retrieve to fast they spin in a cone shape. The swivel will also help you stay latched onto big bass you reel in from the deep. Lol! He would bring writers with him. He began publishing an annual booklet that had facts and tips both related and unrelated to the Dardevle. Sight fishing is best done by casting the spoon off to the side of the fish. Spoon Types. Pulled in more fish than I can count. Without question, the Dardevle is one of the most popular and recognizable spoons ever created. The curved red-and-white striped, concave design has been catching fish for many generations and has been a familiar fixture in tackle boxes for almost a century. Wondering how much weight I have to add to get it down to 8' or so, then down to 12-15 if that's where they are at. It will prevent line ties as the unpredictable, erratic bait falls to the depths, and will help you to land more fish. Best Hybrid Striper Lures-Large Flutter Spoons on Lake Tawakoni will put huge Hybrid Striper in the net, just ask Guide Cliff Thornton! The Erratic Action Of This Blade Bait Drives Smallmouth Wild, Kevin Van Dam and Casey Martin Find Success Spybaiting. Labels and can in good condition, no damage. A stop-and-go retrieve has proved productive for me, this lets the spoon drop and flutter. I am looking for a daredevil spoon, that is nothing but hunter orange with the devil logo in 1/4 oz. Second, avoid the common mistake of a steady retrieve. Eppinger named his new lure after what he considered to be the “best fisherman” ever created, the Osprey. For pickerel (Walleye), a jig works good if you are dead line fishing, or a trolling spoon with a worm or minnow will also work great. Ed became a feature attraction at outdoor shows from coast to coast. you let out line until the spoon … The daredevil was especially good in some of the lakes while the Mepps were great in flowing water. Dardevle.’. “Fathers, sons grandfathers and mothers have taken their kids out fishing and used Dardevles.  The most popular use for these spoons these days is for catching Northern Pike. Wondering how deep a 3/4oz daredevil spoon runs when trolled around 2.5? We’d stay at a lodge on Grand lac Victoria in Parc la Vérendrye, Quebec. However with a few minor tweaks it turns into a fish catching machine. 99 (in Yellow 5 of Diamonds and Orange potato bug) are the standard producers and can be used on both Pike and Lake trout. I use this smaller version of this lure for snapper fishing in saltwater and works great. You can troll them.  My conclusion: anyway you want! Get the best deals on daredevil fishing spoons when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. Eppinger however, changed the spelling to D a r d e v l e in order to appease religious sensitivities of church-going folks who might be offended by the word “devil” in print. Your email address will not be published. He left his nephew Ed in charge, making him a partner with an agreement in place to purchase the lure manufacturing/selling side of the business. Select a small spoon at the start of the season for smaller fish. Maybe split rings of the 1950’s weren’t so hardy though.  Areas with hard bottoms and deep water where smallmouth bass are holding would be a good place to use this lure. Learn how your comment data is processed. As the heir apparent, Jennifer will someday take over the business, keeping Eppinger in the rare class of successful, family-run businesses in the country—a 100% American-manufactured success story soon to reach the century mark. Often the fish will strike when the lure drops, so I prefer to use the drop-and-flutter instead of the Figure Eight when I have a follow. “A lot of people used pork strips back in the day,” said Cleveland. He decided to devote all his energies to lure manufacturing. Upon Ed Eppinger’s death in 1987 the business holdings were left to his daughter Karen (Lou Eppinger’s grand-niece), who still runs the company today with the help of her daughter Jennifer and John Cleveland among others. During the 1960s the introduction of salmon to the Great Lakes gave Eppinger yet another boost. The key to maximizing an Eppinger spoon’s effectiveness, Cleveland says, is to vary your retrieve. A spoon lure, in sport fishing, is an oblong, usually concave lure, usually made of metal or a shell, shaped like the bowl of a spoon.The spoon lure is mainly used to attract fish by reflecting light and moving randomly.. The Daredevil spoon is one of the most popular lures for catching large freshwater fish.This classic lure is a favorite among old school fisherman. For the next several years he tweaked and reshaped his design. Spoons are easy on fish. For over a century, the Dardevle has been the standard by which all other casting spoons are judged. When I posted the picture about the Daredevil spoon on our Facebook page, I saw how many use them for pike but also bass.