Come & Discover the Ever-Popular Heddon Punkinseed Lure
Punkinseeds were made by the Heddon company of Dowagiac, Michigan. Today, they are a favorite to many people, and are quite collectible.
This lens will mostly focus on the wooden punkinseeds, the 740 & 730 series, but there will be a little info about the other 'seeds made as well.
Heddon 740 Punkinseeds
The First of the Series
They were available in several different colors (9 catalogued), and it's not unusual to find quite a few variations (darker, lighter, more spots, less markings, etc.) of each color because the older lures of our time were usually hand painted/stenciled.
You can find them in the following colors: (color codes)
Bluegill (BGL)
Crappie (CRA)
(Soft Spot) Crappie (CRA)
Perch (PCH)
Rockbass (ROB)
Shad (SHA)
Sunfish (SUN)
(no spot) Sunfish (SUN)
(green face) Sunfish (SUN)
Red & White Shore (XS)
Black & White Shore (XBW)
Yellow Shore (XRY)
(uncatalogued)
Silver Herring (SH)
Silver Shore (XRS)
Goldfish (XSK)
Blue Pearl (PLB)
and one that some call Strawberry to Carnival Spot. (code unknown to me)
(Below you will see photos of several Heddon Punkinseeds in 740)
Heddon 740 Punkinseeds Photos
Here are a few different colors of 740 Punkinseeds in my Collection........
The lures are as follows: Sunfish; (Green Face) Sunfish; (No Spot) Sunfish; Bluegill; Rockbass; Perch; Shad (Sha); Blackshore; Yellowshore; Crappie (common); (Soft Spot) Crappie; Silver Herring; Red & White Shore; Silver Shore. Also note are two sinking models in a 740 shape. These are referred to as 742's. Here they are in colors White Shore and Shad. (Missing are Goldfish, & the elusive Carnival Spot & Blue Pearl).
730 Series Heddon Punkinseeds
Along Came the 730 series....
The 730's are found in several colors : (color codes)
Shad (SD)
Bluegill (BGL)
(saltwater) Bluegill (BGL)
Crappie (CRA)
Perch (PCH)
Rockbass (ROB)
Blackshore (XBW)
Yellowshore (XRY)
Sunfish (SUN)
(green face( Sunfish (SUN)
Shad (SHA)
Red & White Shore (XS)
Rainbow (RB)
Goldfish (XSK)
Silver Shore (XRS)
also, White Shore
The Spook Series
Fly Rod Punkie, 9630, Tiny, & PunkinSpin
The single hook was the first and was made until 1948. It was then later reintroduced in the 1951 catalog and then within the next year/year & half, they switched to treble hooks. They were finally put to rest and discontinued altogether in the late 1950's (around 1958). They came in a range of colors, and they are quite collectible.
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The 9630 Punkinseed spook was introduced around 1950 and there are many, many different colors of them in many variations, all being 2 1/8" long and weighing roughly 5/8 oz. Their birth marked the end of the wooden versions. Some of the "tuffer" colors are quite collectible.
There are a couple of ways to date 9630's:
The 2 piece tail and surface belly (see hardware pictures) dates them to 1950. They began using a surface tail with a surface belly around 1951 for a ten year stretch. Around 1962, they began to use a bell (see hardware pic) tail with a surface belly until for several years until they began to use a bell tail with a bell belly around 1974.
You can also notice their eyes: a gold eye is the oldest, dating them from 1950 until around 1960-61. They began to use a creme colored eye right after and they used them until the production end. Some models have different colored eyes (the oldest crappie have orange and one sunfish has yellow, and etc.) and for them you can use the hardware to help you date them, approx.
It gets a little tricky, but once you learn the hardware and the dates they were used by the Heddon company, it gets easier.
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The 380 tiny punkinseed began to show up in 1956 and are 1 3/4 inches long and weigh 1/3 oz. There are numerous colors of these with many uncatolagued colors as well. The earliest have gold eyes with the later versions having creme eyes. They all had bell hardware on both tail and belly and are stamped Heddon Tiny Punkinseed. They were in production until around 1977-8.
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The 382 Punkinspins have the same body as the tiny punkinseeds only with one hook on their belly and a trailing spin on their tail. There is no real trick to dating these for they were only produced for a few years, from around 1974 to 1977-8.
Punkinseed Variations
Which is YOUR favorite? 740, 730, tiny, spin, punkie, 9630??
Now that you've seen the different models of the Heddon Punkinseed, which one is your favorite? Rate them according to your favorites. See which one comes out on top!
Punkinseed Auctions on Ebay
These are various punkinseeds for sale on eBay.
As with any auction, use your better judgement, for any transaction is between you and the seller.
Here are some tips to help you have a great experience:
1) Check the seller's feedback thoroughly. Read the feedback he/she received.
2) Be aware of any listings that use the terms "replica" , "handmade" or "repaint". These are not authentic Heddon punkinseeds.
3) Also be aware of any marked "SV". While these are collectible by some, they are not the punkinseeds covered in this lens.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byLure ID and Price Guide Books at Amazon.com
The Heddon Legacy: A Century of Classic Lures
This book focuses on the James Heddon Company. It covers their lures and how to identify the different makes and models and includes history about the company, factory, and James Heddon and Sons themselves. Heddon, of course, manufactured the Heddon Punkinseed, so you will find a partial bit of information on them in this book as well. Do not expect a vast amount about them because it is not so, but, it is one of the best "Heddon" books on the market today.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/06/2009) ![]()
List Price: $29.95
Used Price: $44.92
Heddon Plastic Lures: Identification & Price Guide
This covers Heddon's spook (plastic) lures.
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 12/06/2009) ![]()
List Price: $24.99
Used Price: $4.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
Old Fishing Lures & Tackle: Identification and Value Guide (Old Fishing Lures and Tackle)
This is a must have for the library. A massive book, it covers many different companies (including Heddon) and has a wealth of information.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/06/2009) ![]()
List Price: $34.95
Used Price: $5.33
Fishing Lure Collectibles: An Encyclopedia of the Early Years, 1840 to 1940
This book covers many different lures.
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 12/06/2009) ![]()
List Price: $29.95
Used Price: $12.94
Usually ships in 24 hours
Fishing Lure Collectibles, Vol. 2, Second Edition
This book covers the most sought after "big name" company lures. You will find Heddon in this book.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/06/2009) ![]()
List Price: $29.95
Used Price: $21.94
More Lure Info Books on Amazon.com
These books are all in depth and informative
Fishing Lure Collectibles: An Encyclopedia of the Modern Era, 1940 To Present
This book is great to have for the Post-40's collector. Lots of color photographs and great information within.
The Fishing Lure Collector's Bible: The Most Comprehensive Antique Fishing Lure Identification & Value Guide Available
Features 1800 lures, also tips and trivia.
19th Century Fishing Lures: A Collector's Guide to U.S. Lures Manufactured Prior to 1901
For those who collect (or just for those interested in 19th century fishing lures), this book is a must have. Scores of beautiful pictures and quite a bit of detailed information within.
Warman's Fishing Lures Field Guide: Values And Identification
This is a neat pocket field guide which features over 1000 lures. Handy to carry along with you on your lure hunt.
eBay Auctions Featuring Books on Lure Collectibles
See What's Available!
Sometimes I find that I can get better deals by buying through auctions than if buying direct form a retailer. I've added this module for those who may be looking to catch a deal. As always, transactions are between you and the seller, so bid with caution. The best tip I can give anyone is to check their seller feedback before bidding. Thanks!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byHave questions/comments?
Thank you for visiting my lens.
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- CollectorsCottage CollectorsCottage Jun 3, 2009 @ 2:43 pm
- Outstanding lens! Great information and photos - 5 big stars. Welcome to the Collector Clubs group!
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- CollectLures CollectLures May 26, 2009 @ 6:38 pm
- Hi Varmit
Fantastic lens, really good pic's and I liked the section on spooks too. I've recently set up my own blog at on collecting antique fishing lures at www.collectantiquelures.com - check it out if you get a chance.
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- Teddi14 Teddi14 Apr 26, 2009 @ 1:07 am
- I grew up in Dowagiac and when I was in 8th grade I got to tour the Heddon Plant. It was pretty cool. I still remember it. Nice lens!!! 5*'s Check out my lens about Michiana.
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- Lance Lance Feb 20, 2009 @ 3:17 pm
- Great resource. I am still having trouble with identifying mine though. I have what appears to be a bluegill punkinseed with a bell tail but a belly piece that looks nothing like what you have listed. It is connected with two screws and looks almost exactly like a "horseshoe crab". The lure also has gold eyes. The box is plastic topped with 9630-BGL stamped on one end. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Value? year? etc. lanceseboe@gmail.com
Thanks!!
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- copelandc2002 copelandc2002 Jul 19, 2008 @ 1:05 am
- Excellent information on the punkinseed. Choice Lens!!!
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Just a Couple of Extras
Reviews
- Fishing Lure Collectibles : Dudley & Deanie Murphy
- For the post 1940 fishing lure collector, this is a must have
- Carl F. Luckey - Old Fishing Lures & Tackle: Identification & Value Guide
- If you collect fishing lures, this is a MUST HAVE





