Heddon Color/Pattern Information

It is with great gratitude and appreciation that I am able to share this great information which was produced by Ed Knight. These pages were from Ed's "Old Lures Rock" website which, unfortunately, is no longer active. Ed has given me permission to post these pages I have saved from his website and I am truly grateful since this information is invaluable. Although Ed's site was mainly devoted to Heddon Vamps, this color section is pretty much universal for most Heddon baits of the time period in regards to color patterns and their variations throughout  the years. Hopefully, these pages will prove as helpful to you as they were (and still are) to me. A big thank you to Ed Knight for his hard work and research in putting these pages together and for sharing his knowledge.

Although Vamps were produced much earlier, the color information in Ed's pages for Vamps pretty much mirrors the scarceness/toughness of Zig Wags. If its a tough color on a vamp, usually its a tough color on a Zig Wag.

Click in the file below to view Ed's pages.

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Color Codes for Zig Wags

In this section, I will try to explain and show the color codes used for Zig Wags as well as give my opinion on rarity. Most of this info comes from Tom Jacomet's Lure Lore website. Some codes have changed over the years and may have denoted a different color in earlier or later baits but the descriptions below are specific to Zig Wags based on observations from actual boxes, catalogs and other resources. Most all patterns on Zig Wags were offered with a red head with the letters RH designating a red head. Similarly, "BH" signifies blue head. Any Zig Wag with a blue head is an extremely tough bait.  

Zig Wags were available in standard cataloged colors as well as those stated on many Heddon Boxes of the time. As with any bait, some are common and some not so common. In the following pictures, I'll attempt to show which are common and which are relatively tough to find (again, only my observation based on my collecting experience). The photos below are of my collection except where otherwise noted. While some, well most, of my collection is not in Excellant condition there are many baits that are tough to find in any condition. In addition, to view some awesome Zig Wags, please visit oldfishinglure.com. under the Zig Wag section. By no means is this a definitive list of patterns for Zig Wags but it is representative of the vast majority of Zig Wags I have seen. As with most Heddon baits, I'm sure there are other patterns out there which are not shown here.

-"Click" on the picture to reveal additional info on the specific lure pictured-

* indicates further details regarding the specific color code located in the text
** indicates a color code/pattern specific to Models 8350 and 8360 King Zig Wags (and in some cases  model S8340 string rigged Zig Wag JRs)

Code "0" Green Crackleback (Uncataloged)

Code "0" has had a few different designations over the years. It has been used as a code for the color green crackleback until the mid 1930s. It was also used as a code for the color all white.  The color code 0RH has been observed as a red head/green crackleback and is displayed in the photo below. Both all white and green crackleback are extremely tough on Zig Wags.  Not to say there are none out there but I have yet to see a Zig Wag in green crackle back with surface hardware.  8300, 8300RH

Code 0S White, Red and Green Spots (Uncataloged)

White,red and green spots. Commonly known as "strawberry spot" is a also an extremely tough pattern for a Zig Wag. Red Head/Strawberry spot, code 0SRH is also very tough. Note the difference size of he black spots on this pattern, some are large while some are very small. 8300S, 8300SRH . This pattern on surface rigged baits are extremely tough as most I have seen have l rig. Pictured below is a recent addition of a flap rigged model...the only one I have run across in many years of collecting. This pattern on King Zig-Wags is also very tough to find. Below is a model 8550 in "strawberry spot".

Code 1 Rainbow (Uncataloged)

Code 1 is for rainbow and is a relatively tough one to find as is code 1RH, rainbow, red head. 8301, 8301RH, 8341,8341RH, 8351

Code 2 White with Red Head (Cataloged)

Code 2, white with red head is a cataloged color and is common as dirt.  I don't know why but Heddon sure did make a lot of Zig Wags in this color. Of note, the scale pattern in the joint area is apparent in l rig and surface rigging. I'm not sure when the scale pattern was started but has been observed in the early l rig baits. Early taper tail, dent eyed Zig Wags in Red Head/white are very tough to find. Later, surface rigged models in code 2 typically all have the black eye shadow. 8302 8342(zig wag Jr} , C8302(heavy duty L rig), SS8342(string rigged Junior)

Code 2 LUM Luminous Red Eye and Tail (Uncataloged)

 Code 2 Lum designates red eye and tail luminous. This is an extremely tough lure to find. 8302 LUM

Code 2M White with Red Gill (Cataloged**)

Code 2M denotes white with red gill marks. I have not seen a model 8300 in this color but is very common for King Zig Wags (8362M and 8352M) It is a tougher color for Zig Wag Jrs, especially in flap rig(tThis is not a cataloged pattern for a flap rigged model 8340 Zig Wag JR) SS8342M (string rig) 8342M (flap rig)

Code 2XS White and Red Shore (Uncataloged)

White and red shore. I've only seen this on a Zig Wag Jr (8342XS). and a model 8352XS King Zig Wag. This is a pretty tough pattern to find.  Note the red scale pattern along the side which differentiates this color from 9PLXR pearl shore minnow.

Code 8, Code 9 White, Gold Specks; White, Silver Specks (Uncataloged*)

There seems to be much confusion about these two patterns as they are extremely difficult to tell apart and extremely similar. It is tough to tell the color of the glitter due to the "sparkle". Code 08 is white with gold specks and code 09 is white with silver specks. What makes these two difficult to differentiate is the darkening of the finishes/varnish/sparkles due to age makes both look very similar. Below are a few examples. Codes 8308RH and 8309RH (red head, silver or gold specks) are relatively common yet a Zig Wag model 8309 or 8308 is extremely tough. I have not seen a Zig Wag Jr in any of these patterns yet have seen a box for a 8349RH. Note the very heavy glitter on two of the baits pictured below. I have seen other Heddon baits with the similar heavy glitter.
 *Red Head/silver speckled was a cataloged color. and is fairly common

Code 9A Yellow Perch (Uncataloged)

Code 9A, yellow perch is commonly referred to as "bar perch" by collectors. This is an extremely tough pattern on a Zig Wag. Pictured below are two 3 hook models. Most I have seen have l rig but I do have one in flap rig and is pictured on the left.

Code 9B, 9BF Frog/Bullfrog/Frog Spot/Imitation Frog (Cataloged *)

These codes have represented a few differing color patterns and is discussed in detail in the previous webpage. Codes 9B,9Bf and 9BFRH have represented many frog patters and are pictured below. 8309B,8309BF,8309BFRH.  One strange observation on this pattern: I have yet to see this pattern on a toilet seat rigged bait.
*Frog Spot was never a cataloged pattern for Zig Wags.

Code 9D Green Scale (Cataloged)

Green scale is a very common cataloged color, especially during the l-rig era. Green scale in toilet seat or flap rig is pretty tough. Red head, green scale is also extremely common on all types of hook rigging . Note the differing size of the scale patterns on the earlier l rigged baits as well as the pronounced gold stripe along the side.  Later. flap rigged baits have more of a silver stripe.During the transition era, green scale appears a bit different with a brighter green and less of a silver/gold stripe along the side. 8309D, 8349DRH (Zig Wag JR,), 8309DRH

Code 9G Black (Uncataloged)

All black is a tough pattern to find 8309G, 8349G. Zig Wags in black with red head are also tough. Code 8309GRH, 8349GRH

Code 9GWH Black with White Head (Uncataloged)

Black with white head is also a very tough pattern to find. 8309GWH 8349GWH

Code 9H Red Scale (Uncataloged)

Red Scale is an extremely tough pattern to find on a Zig Wag 8309H I have never seen of a red scale Zig Wag with a red head nor have I seen one with surface hook hardware.

Code 9J Frog Scale (Uncataloged)

Frog scale and frog scale red head are both extremely tough to find 8309J, 8309JRH. While this pattern was offered by Heddon into the 1950s, I have not seen a Zig Wag in this pattern with surface hardware.

Code 9K Goldfish Scale (Uncataloged)

Goldfish scale is also an extremely tough pattern 8309K. I have never seen a goldfish scale Zig Wag with a red head. Another pattern in which I have not seen in a surface rigged bait..

Code 9L Perch Scale (Uncataloged)

Yellow perch scale as well as perch scale/Red head are a tough pattern to find on Zig Wags although is very common on most all other Heddon Baits. Note the differing patterns on the earlier L rigged baits having a lighter, gold hue while the later surface rigged baits having a much more green scale pattern 8309L, 8309LRH, 8349L, 8349LRH. King Zig Wags in Perch scale are also very tough 8359L, 8369L

Code LUM Luminous (Uncataloged)

All luminous is a very tough pattern to find on a Zig Wag 8300 LUM 

Code 9M Pike Scale (Cataloged*)

Pike scale is a common cataloged color for the early l rigged models yet is very tough to find in the later surface rigged models. Red Head, Pike scale is also a very common cataloged color for both l rigged and surface rigged baits. Zig Wag Jrs in red head, pike scale are also ery common. Pike scale is also one of the patterns that saw many changes in colors throughout the years with the early baits having a more golden scale pattern and the later having a more yellow/green scale pattern 8309M, 8309MRH, 8349MRH 
*King Zig Wags were never cataloged in Pike scale and are very tough to find 8359M, 8369M

Code 9N  Dace (Uncataloged)

Dace is an extremely tough pattern. Dace/ Red Head is shown below, 8309NRH

Code 9P Shiner Scale (Cataloged*)

Shiner scale is an extremely common cataloged pattern in the l rig configuration. Shiner scale, during the surface rig era is a bit tougher to find and were only cataloged for a handful of years in the late 30s. Red Head, Shiner scale is extremely common in both l rig and surface rig configurations as well as Zig Wag Jrs(except for string rigging which are tough in any pattern).  "C" series Zig Wags in Shiner scale are pretty tough as well. A shiner scale Zig Wag Jr. s a very tough bait to find as they were only catalogued for 1 year.
* King Zig Wags were cataloged in shiner scale are pretty common as well. 8309P, 8309PRH, 8349P, C8309P, C8309PRH 8349PRH, SS8349P, 8349P, 8359P, 8369P

Code 9PAS Allen Stripey  (Cataloged**)

Strictly a saltwater, string rigged pattern commonly found on King Zig Wags. I have not seen an 8300 or 8340 model in Allen Stripey. Below are examples of models 8359PAS and 8369 PAS. I have been told by veteran collectors that the logic behind this code is that the "9P" is for shiner scale with the added "AS" being the "Allen Stripey" aspect  thus the code 9PAS being shiner scale with the added red head and stripe. I can't verify this is true but that is what I have heard.

Code 9PBH Blue Herring (Cataloged**)

Also called pacific blue herring, this attractive color is usually found on King Zig Wags and string rigged Zig Wag JRs. It is fairly common on a king zig wag yet very tough on a JR. 8359pPBH, 8369PBH, SS8349PBH, 8349PBH. This pattern is sometimes tough to differentiate between Shiner Scale, Code 9P. Look for the blue scale on the back.

Code 9PL Pearl (Uncataloged)

Pearl is an extremely tough pattern to find. I have only seen it on a "C" series Zig Wag. Shown below is a red head/pearl "C" series Zig Wag C8309P, C8309PLRH(pictured below)

Code 9PLXB Blue Pearl Shore  (Cataloged**)

This code is mainly found on King Zig Wags and is a cataloged pattern yet is somewhat tougher to find. 8359PLXB, 8369PLXB Note the blue scale finish along the side. Code 9PLXBRH (blue pearl x ray/red head) is a relatively tough pattern to find and is shown in the photo below. 8359PLXB, 8369PLXB, 8369PLXBRH

Code 9PLXR Pearl Shore (Catalogued**)

Pearl shore is a relatively common catalogued color for King Zig Wags yet is very tough on Zig Wag Jrs (both string rigged and flap rigged) Red head/pearl shore, code PLXR RH is somewhat tougher to find. 8359PLXR, 8369PLXR, 8359PLXR RH, 8369PLXR RH, SS8349PLXR, 8349PLXR *The bait pictured below, a Zig Wag Junior in flap rig is not a catalogued pattern for this specific hardware configuration

Code 9R Natural Scale  (Cataloged)

This early pattern was first called Mullet scale and was changed around 1928/1929 to natural scale.  I have not seen in any catalogs the natural scale pattern referred to as "Mullet Scale" for Zig Wags since the name was changed before the Zig Wag was formally introduced. Other Heddon baits, such as the Vamp still was offered in "Mullet scale" in later catalogs but was most likely due to the lack of "updating" text and pictures in catalogs (reference the 1930 CW Mclean catalog in the Zig Wag Ink section). This pattern was a cataloged color as was red head natural scale in the l rig era and is fairly common. Red Head/natural scale was cataloged during the surface rig era and is also fairly common. An all natural scale (not red head) in surface rig(toilet seat or flap rig) is extremely tough.  Zig Wag Jrs were cataloged in code 9RRH and are common. This pattern has also went through changes in colors over the years with early patterns being much more brown and later, surface rig era colors being a much darker green. 8309R, 8309RRH 8349RRH  Just for the record, I have yet to see a later, toilet or flap rigged zig wag (later dark green color pattern) in ALL mullet/natural scale. I have only seen them in red head versions.

Code 9SH Silver Herring (Uncataloged)

This pattern was introduced in the mid 1930s and is very tough. This pattern is mostly found on the "C" model with heavy duty hardware. Shown below is a flap rigged model in silver herring which is a very scarce bait (I have yet to see another in flap rig). Note the gill mark on the flap rigged model which is similar to other Heddon baits in this pattern. The "C" model does not sport the gill mark (all the "C" models in silver herring I have seen do not have the gill mark)  8309SH, C8309SH

Code 9SPRH Yellow Spotted Red Head (Cataloged**)

This pattern is a cataloged color for the King Zig Wags. I have not seen it on other models but may exist. 8359SPRH, 8369SPRH

Code 9SS Silver Scale  (Uncataloged)

This is a very tough pattern for a Zig Wag as is code 9SSRH, silver scale/red head 8309SS, 8309SSRH

Code 9V Orange with Black Spots  (Uncataloged)

An extremely tough pattern 8309V

Code 9X Blue Scale  (Uncataloged)

Blue scale is an extremely tough pattern 8309X *no image available at this time*

Code 9YRH Yellow with Red Head (Uncataloged)
Thiis is a rare uncataloged pattern for a Zig Wag. Code 9Y would be all yellow.

Code 9W White  (Uncataloged)

All white is an extremely tough pattern. 8309W. Be aware that white baits can be easily faked.  Sometimes a few honest age lines and varnish aging can be a good indicator of authenticity.

Code 9XRY Yellow Shore  (Cataloged**)

A common, cataloged pattern for King Zig Wags, very tough to find on Zig Wag Jrs (both string rigged and surface rig). I've never seen an 8300 model in this pattern 8359XRY, 8369XRY, SS8349XRY, 8349XRY

Code 9YBS Yellow, Black Stripes  (Uncataloged)

This is an extremely tough pattern 8309YBS  This bait may be the holy grail of Zig Wags

Code 9Z Rainbow Scale  (Uncataloged)

Another extremely tough pattern on a Zig Wag 8309Z

Code 9YS Yellow Scale  (Cataloged**)

A common, catalogued color for King Zig Wags. I have never seen this pattern on standard or junior Zig Wags. 8359YS, 8369YS

Code 9XYS Yellow Scale Shore Minnow  (Cataloged**)

A relatively tough, uncataloged pattern, found mostly on King Zig Wags and SS 8349XYS, string rigged Zig Wag Jrs. The bait on the right in the picture below is an example of this tougher color and is considered an uncatalogued pattern for this specific bait.

Code 4 Red  (Uncataloged)

All red is an extremely tough pattern. 8304

Code 6 Gold (Uncataloged)

All Gold is another extremely tough pattern on a Zig Wag

Unknown Patterns

Here are a few patterns that I have not found the codes for yet. Red head with a red tail. I have seen this on a vamp as one is shown in  Ed Knights color charts. Black head/white body is another pattern I have not found a code for. Another unknown variation is black head, red body. If anyone has info on these, please let me know. While blue head was a cataloged option, very few blue head Zig Wags exist. Any Zig Wag with a blue head is an extraordinary find.