Vibra-Bat

The Vibra-Bat was first introduced by the Carroll-Walton Engineering Company out of Chicago, Illinois in early 1961. Upon introduction it was simply called “The Bat.” Later that same year its rights were acquired by Harrison Industries, a tackle company that built a strong brand using an unorthodox approach at the time of buying the U.S. rights or outright purchase of unique lures in the market. From there they applied an aggressive marketing campaign and distribution system to their new product. Cecil Hoge, the head of Harrison Industries, is credited with observing the vibration qualities the bait had upon retrieval through the water. Hence, they renamed the bait the Vibra-Bat.

Vibra-Bat

Harrison Industries started heavy marketing for the Vibra-Bat almost immediately. One doesn’t have to search long in old newspaper or magazine archives to find old advertisements for the lure. They are easy to spot and often accompanied by the “artist’s conception” pictured. The ads claim such things as “Caught! 120 FISH in 1 Hour!”, “Vibrates up to 200 times a minute!” and their main headline “Weird New Sonic Lure Caught Fish Like Crazy!”. There is one little nugget in an early ad around 1963 that I really found interesting though. They have a picture of Lyman Walton “co-inventor of the amazing Vibra-Bat lure”. (Lyman Walton and Tom Jones are listed as co-inventors on the patent.) They use this simple stoic picture of Mr. Walton throughout the years in their ads but early on they add a line to it. It states, “Meet Lyman Walton-a direct descendant of Isaak Walton”. Now I don’t know if that is true or not, and they spell Isaak wrong in about half of the ads, but they quit running it after about a year. I just find it humorous. As a consumer and fisherman, I’m not sure that would matter to me one bit on my decision to buy a fishing lure. Someone in their marketing department at the time thought so though.

Collection of Vibra-Bats in Different Sizes and Colors

The Vibra-Bat really is quite a unique lure. It is shaped like a tiny bat and has multiple line tie position holes. You can attach a snap swivel in any of them to vary the running depth. The smaller ¼ oz bait has two holes, and the larger ½ oz bait has three. It comes with a trailing double hook that is designed to be folded over the rib section of the bait underneath when not in use to protect the hook and “yourself”. I have tried to fish these ever so briefly and I can tell you they do vibrate quite a bit. I’ll also say on light to medium tackle they cast a mile!

Most Vibra-Bat lures are unmarked post 1967 or so. Before that the earliest versions would have the words “Baby Bat”, “PATENT PEND” or “MADE IN THE U.S.A.” on them.

The Vibra-Bat was produced up until 1974 and is considered one of Harrison Industries most successful lures.

Large and Small Black Bats “Hanging Out”

Colors, Sizes and Packaging

The Vibra-Bat originally was introduced in only nickel-plated color and ¼ oz and ½ oz sizes. Harrison Industries kept the two sizes but expanded the colors to add black, orange, and yellow. In 1964 brass was added to the color lineup. Note that the brass color is actually a nickel finish bait with a yellow tinted clear lacquer applied over the top. These baits tend to wear easily making brass a more difficult color to find.

To my knowledge there are not any genuine custom color Vibra-Bats.

The Vibra-Bat originally came in a square clear plastic box with a small paper insert/instructions on the bait. Many over the years came in simple mailers from mail-in advertising responses. A lot of these came with no branding information at all. Beginning in 1964, they were marketed on cards that were very colorful and eye catching. Two different variations of these cards were developed over the years and have become quite collectible. As you can see from the photo, they make great display pieces.

Lyman Walton-coinventor of Vibra-Bat and “Direct Descendent of Isaac Walton”

Collectors Value

A Vibra-Bat in its correct matching box with paperwork or on a card can sell in the $20-30 range in excellent condition. More commonly these are found loose in tackle boxes. In excellent condition loose they sell for around $5 each.