Rapala Lures, collect or use?

Finnish born Lauri Rapala watched large fish chasing smaller fish and decided to carve a lure that replicated a wounded fish. In 1936 he carved his first lure from cork, using chocolate bar tin foil wrapper as the outer reflective surface, and it worked.

He would have no idea where this single event would take him. Now annually selling over 20 million Rapala lures to 140 countries, it’s all good.

No other lure holds so many World Records as Rapala.

Each and every one is still tank-tested for the correct action before being packaged and sent for sale.

Names such as Wounded Minnow, Fat Rap, Husky Jerk, Countdown and Magnum attract both fish and anglers.

This is not an advertisement for Rapala. It’s more about the back drop to the collectable scene surrounding these lures.

Already we are seeing huge price increases in the early Made in Finland Models and along with Normark Logo branded lures, Irish made lures are climbing too and offer great value as collectors recognise the variety available to them.

The boxes vary, as do the packaging colours, you will find early Made in Finland, Printed in Finland examples at a premium. Made in County Galway, Ireland, printed in Vaaksy, Finland and so on, sell for less but are climbing the price ladder.

Boxed mint examples are selling in the £50-100 bracket and on the increase.

The collection of 1600 Rapala we have just bought has opened my eyes to the diversity of colour, patterns, and sizes available.

Like Hardy, Abu, Farlow, and others this maker has a strong following and growing.

We have started the listing process, but if you have ever seen 1600 boxed lures in one pile, it’s the Everest of listings so check us out on a regular basis.

Top tip for Rapala; make a wallpaper of the lures. 

Any tackle den wall would look awesome floor to ceiling in Rapala lures.