Lazy Ike 1978 Catalog
1978 Lazy Ike Fishing Lure Catalog
The 1978 Lazy Ike fishing lure catalog provides collectors with a detailed look at the lures and fishing tackle offered by the Lazy Ike Corporation. By 1978, Lazy Ike Corporation was at or near the top of their successful run of making a great line of Lazy Ike baits but now out of Des Moines, Iowa. Lures they made are popular with fishermen and collectors yet today. Vintage fishing lure catalogs like this are important reference materials for identifying lure models, studying finishes and packaging, and researching the history of classic fishing tackle.
This catalog is part of the My Bait Shop Master Catalog Archive Project (MCAP), a growing digital archive of vintage fishing tackle catalogs and historical reference materials for collectors and researchers.
Catalog Details
Manufacturer: Lazy Ike (Lazy Ike Corporation)
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Year: 1978
Type: Vintage fishing lure catalog
Format: 8 1/2" x 11"
Version: Consumer
Pages: 16 including covers (plus 12 bonus pages)
Collection: My Bait Shop Master Catalog Archive Project (MCAP)
Complete scanned catalog part of the My Bait Shop - Master Catalog Archive Project (MCAP). For research purposes only.
On This Page
Collector Tip
If you find something rare and one of a kind or close, don't hesistate. It may be the only time you find one for sale (or it may be years or decades to find another). Almost every seasoned collector can tell the story of the one that got away.
Popular Lures Featured in the 1978 Lazy Ike Catalog
- Chug Ike — Browse examples for sale
- Lazy Ike — Browse examples for sale
- Natural Ike — Browse examples for sale
- Shark Ike — Browse examples for sale
Related Lazy Ike Resources
Historical Notes from the 1978 Lazy Ike Catalog
This was a very significant time for Lazy Ike and the fishing lure industry. They had launched the Natural Ike which was a huge hit. An instant top seller in the first year. They rode this wave of success into buying the Creek Chub Bait Company while leveraging debt to also gear up for what was expecting to be an even greater year of sales for their new Natural Ike bait.
Sadly that did not happen. Sales were solid but they did not factor in that there was still existing stock left to sell at shops around the country along with the extreme interest rates of the days on their debt. This would spell doom and a bankrupcy filing would be coming soon (September 1979).
As for the catalog itself... (now in Des Moines, Iowa vs. Fort Dodge, Iowa)
This one is a classic. If you are lucky you can find this one with a file folder that looks like the cover of this catalog. With that file folder you might find an array of handouts, many of which I have added to the Bonus Pages of this page.
The Lazy Ike KL-00 through KL-4 remain but now KL-5 Musky Ike has returned along with a new Jaw Breaker Ike JB-2 and JB-3.
The aforementioned Natural Ike is here and it is a HIT!!! These took off like crazy and were a blessing and a curse. Way ahead of their time in finish and the sales took off. Sadly it ended up dooming the company. These are great to collect and awesome to fish. We have a great selection.
The back cover has some new accessories and I would love to find the Lazy Ike Jacket if anyone has one. The Bonus Pages adds some interesting odds and ends including the Natural Chug Ikes.
Below is the complete scanned 1978 Lazy Ike fishing lure catalog. Each page is shown in order so collectors and researchers can study the lure models, finishes, and tackle descriptions used by the Lazy Ike Corporation during this period.
NOTE: Printed catalog page numbers did not include catalog covers.
Catalog Cover
Cover of the 1978 Lazy Ike Fishing Lure Catalog.
Catalog Pages
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Back Cover
Page 16
Bonus Pages
Page 17
Page 18
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
Page 22
Page 23
Page 24
Page 25
Page 26
Page 27
Page 28
Explore More Vintage Lazy Ike Resources
If you collect vintage Lazy Ike lures, you might enjoy our lure history pages, and currently available Lazy Ike lures in the My Bait Shop store.
Catalog scans are presented for historical and research purposes as part of the My Bait Shop – Master Catalog Archive Project (MCAP). All trademarks, brand names, and related materials remain the property of their respective owners. If you are a rights holder and would like material reviewed or removed, please contact us.