Heddon Meadow Mouse Fishing Lure Value Guide

The Heddon Meadow Mouse is a legendary vermin-style lure introduced by James Heddon's Sons to mimic the erratic swimming motion of a rodent. Its combination of a wooden body, glass eyes, and a distinctive metal diving lip makes it a prized piece of mid-century angling history.

What affects the value of Heddon Meadow Mouse Fishing Lure?

• The physical condition of the leather tail significantly impacts the $15-$17 value range.
• Presence of original paint and the level of 'hook swing' wear on the wooden sides.
• The clarity and intactness of the glass eyes.
• Originality of the steel hardware and treble hooks.

How to Identify Heddon Meadow Mouse Fishing Lure?

• Look for the original leather tail, which is often missing or brittle on authentic 1930s-1940s models.
• Verify the presence of genuine glass eyes rather than later painted or plastic versions.
• Check for the specific metal diving lip designed to create its signature surface action.
• Confirm the body material is wood, consistent with the early production era before the shift to plastic.

History of Heddon Meadow Mouse Fishing Lure

First introduced by James Heddon's Sons in the late 1920s, the Meadow Mouse was one of the most successful vermin-style lures in fishing history. Known for its realistic leather tail and glass eyes, it utilized a metal diving lip to create a unique surface action that triggered aggressive strikes from largemouth bass and pike.