Southern Bait Company - Joe's Old Lures

Southern Bait Company
St. Augustine , Florida

I'm not sure where The Southern Bait Company was "located". The box shown here says St. Augustine, Florida. I have another box that says Mineola, Florida and have seen boxes with other Florida city names. I have also seen Southern Bait Company boxes with Georgia, Alabama, and Maryland locations.

There is disagreement, but some think that the Southern Bait Company might have been associated with the early operations of the Dixie Bait Company or the Porter Bait Company. It is possible that the city names shown on the boxes indicate locations where jobbers sold the lures. The Southern box shown here is virtually identical to the box used by the Dixie Bait Company.

Various types of lures have been seen in Southern Bait Company boxes. The shiner shown above is similar in shape to one made by Dixie Bait Company. I have seen another Southern shiner that matched the Dixie shape and paint pattern very closely. Several Southern darter lures have also been found that resemble those known to have been made by Dixie Bait Company. Even some glass eye Southern Bait Company Darters have been found.

We are always interested in adding to this collection. Please send an email if you have any old Southern Bait Company lures or boxes for sale or trade.
Visit my page about Antique Florida Lures to see other lure makers from Florida.