"Make your own Plugs"
It seems that on a regular basis one sees lures on Joe's Board and at lure shows that someone is asking to be identified. Often these turn out to be "Kit Lures" put together by the fisherman. There were actually several companies that offered these kits but none more prolific than the Netcraft Company. I made regular trips to Toledo, Ohio for 30 years as part of my job and often made a point of stopping at the Netcraft facility where one could view a small selection of items, often closeouts, and pick up things directly from their large mail order catalog. The company went through several locations and owners over the years and today is known as "Jann's Netcraft".
Today's ad is from the January 1950 issue of Sports Afield and features the "Plug Making Kit" that they sold for many years. These kits came with pre-carved bodies and these "fisherman-finished" baits often show up in old tackle boxes.>/p>
They also sold hundreds of seldom-seen and do-it-yourself items. One of my favorites in the 1940s was an airbrush for painting baits with their lacquers that was lung-powered by blowing into a metal tube. I've often wondered what happened if one accidentally inhaled while using it. My bet is it would not be OSHA approved!
-- Bill Sonnett
