Write up of the Bonafide Aluminum Minnow from the 1908 Sportsmans Guide. The bait was made by the Bonafide Manufacturing Co., Plymoth, MI. Image Bill Sonnett.

An important notice that appeared in the May 1908 Sporting Goods Dealer was the announcement to the trade for the new “Bonafide Aluminum Minnow”. It featured this illustration of a three-hooker.

(three hooker write up here)

The only “outdoor magazine” ad for the Bonafide Aluminum Minnow that I have seen is the one shown here featuring a photo of a five-hooker that appeared in the June 1909 issue of National Sportsman Magazine.

One of the few ads for the Bonafide Aluminum Minnow from the June 1909 issue of National Sportsman magazine. Image Bill Sonnett.

Two photos of actual Bonafide Minnows appear here. The five-hooker picture is courtesy of Frank Baron and the three-hooker courtesy of Joe Stagnitti.

Image of the five-hook version of the Bonafide Aluminum Minnow from the collection of Frank Barron. Image Bill Sonnett.
Image of the three-hook version of the Bonafide Aluminum Minnow from the collection of Joe Stagnitti. Image Bill Sonnett.

Given the rarity of these baits, it is safe to say they were not big sellers, and being solid aluminum they were heavy and my guess is that many were lost to snags and reside on the bottom of lakes.