SAND ISLAND, HONOLULU, OAHU, HAWAII — MAKER DECEASED

Sonny Arita was a Honolulu lure maker who worked out of a shop on Sand Island, and he's especially remembered for one distinctive touch: the opihi-shell eye. Using the shell of the opihi (the Hawaiian limpet) for his lure eyes gave his baits a signature look, and genuine Sonny Arita lures are sought after today. He has since passed away, and his surviving work is prized by those who know it.

As a museum and archive, we're honored to preserve the memory of Sonny Arita, whose opihi-shell eyes set his lures apart.

Notable shapes: Lures featuring the signature opihi-shell eye

Identification tips:

• "Sonny Arita"; the opihi (Hawaiian limpet) shell eye is the signature detail
• Made out of a Sand Island shop; vintage and now collectible

Below, you’ll find our ever-growing digital archive showcasing every lure that has come through our shop. This collection is constantly evolving as new lures arrive, making it a living record of rare, limited-production lures. We will continue updating this database regularly, building what we aim to be the largest digital archive of offshore trolling lures in the world.

If you have any further information or any lures you believe deserve to be showcased, please reach out to us at ren@luremonger.com