Born and raised in Oklahoma, Karl has been an avid fisherman his entire life and has had a love for collecting tackle since he was eight years old. One day as he was worm fishing on a local pond, he was astonished to see another boy fishing with a "lure". Curiosity and interest immediately took over. After conducting extensive research, Karl decided he had to have a lure. This research led him to the James Heddon and Sons, Crazy Crawler. This lure was the most expensive lure of its time to produce. At the age of 8, Karl saved his ten cent a week allowance until he was able to purchase the $1.10 cent lure. This first lure which started it all is still in the collection today. Since the age of twelve, when Karl's father took him to an antique gun museum, Karl had the dream to open an antique fishing tackle museum.
The Karl White Collection has been compiled over the course of 55 years. Karl and his wife Beverly have purchased individual pieces and entire collections while traveling all over the country in search of "that perfect piece". As Beverly says, "they always knew what they were doing for a vacation!" One of those not-so-perfect pieces was the first Skeeter Bass Boat, which was barely recognizable when purchased. But with love, Karl restored it to its original beauty. The highest price that Karl has ever paid for a single piece is $31,350 . . for the Snyder Reel. There are several artifacts which date back to prehistoric days.
Provided by The Oklahoma Aquarium
