Millsite Daily Double: One Lure, Double The Fun!

Daily Double 2 Baits In 1

The Daily Double was made by the Millsite Steel & Wire Works Company, later renamed the Millsite Tackle Company out of Howell, Michigan. The lure was originally invented by Jack Withey & R.J. Hall from Millsite with a patent filed in 1941. It was also introduced in 1941. In fact, it just barely made the 1941 catalog, requiring a full page insert to the catalog to be included. The Daily Double stayed in production through 1962, with some special orders available after that. It was a completely unique lure shaped somewhat like a triangle/boomerang.

The most interesting feature was that it had two-line ties. You could attach and pull it from one side to have it run deep or pull from the other side to have it run shallow. Essentially this gave you the “2 Baits In 1”. The bait was molded out of tenite / plastic and came in a variety of colors. Millsite was an early pioneer in the use of tenite, an early form of plastic, on their baits and a strong competitor to companies such as Heddon. Their use of tenite allowed for some amazing colors on their baits. The lure was designed to be either cast or trolled and designed for all game fish. Their tenite baits were marketed as “indestructible” which I can tell you hold pretty true from all that I have seen decades later. Unlike some other companies early plastic baits, these tend to hold up reasonably well. The Daily Double was made to float at rest.

Millsite Daily Double in Red and White color with Box

I have never personally fished this lure although as I am researching this article, I have added one to my tackle box. I’ll have to give it a try come open water fishing season. I have had many customers who both collect this lure and still fish this lure. I have heard many stories of successful pike and walleye fishing trips on this lure.

Millsite Daily Double in Pike Scale color

Colors, Sizes and Packaging

The Daily Double originally was introduced in twelve colors and two sizes. The original colors were Red and White, Silver Speckle, Perch Scale, Pike Scale, White Black Wings, Black White Scale, Gold Fish, Yellow and Black Wings, Frog, Red and Black Spots, Orange and Black Spots, and Silver and Black Spots (See 1941 Ad-also matches the catalog insert). Additional colors were added over the years. Special order colors have also been found making this a wonderful bait to collect.

Over the life of the bait there were three sizes offered. Muskie size, 700 Series (4 1/6”) was only available from 1941-1942. The Casting size, 800 Series (3 7/16”) was available from 1941-1962. Spinning Size, 400 Series (2 5/8”) was only made from 1956-1962. The Spinning Size is the most difficult to find.

1941 Ad for Millsite Daily Double

Collectors Value

A Millsite Daily Double in its correct matching box with paperwork can sell in the $20-30 range in excellent condition. Without the box in excellent condition loose they sell for around $5-10 each. A special order color would double those values.