The Spincasters

For fans of Vintage and new spincasting reels.

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  • David, aka, "McScruff"

    @ Dwayne - I like the Zebco 33, too - I have one I just cleaned up and put back to working. For a heavier duty reel, or an all around model, I think it's fine. While I reckon everyone ought to have (or have tried) a 202, if I had to pick only one Zebco, it probably would BE the 33.

    It is for lighter rigs/lighter lines that I go with the older, "big-mouth" Johnsons.  They are handier for a light weight rig and the open spool cap seems to cast a little better. Since I fish light or ultralight for bluegill when casting, I gravitate to them.

    I. Heavier action (catfish/bass) - Medium action rod and Zebco 33.

    II. Light action (bluegill/crappie) - Light, fast action rod and Johnson Country Mile/Crappie Pro.

  • John Sheehan

    I have two Bass Pro Shop Uncle Bucks Crappie stix rods .They are 5 ' light action rods and they pair ok with the Johnson Crappie Pro 230 and Johnson Country Mile reels.

  • Dwayne Denison

    John, I have one of those rods too. They seem more like a med action to me, one heck of a backbone

  • John Sheehan

    Maybe you're right Dwayne .I think I have 2 other SC poles. A Zebco and something else.I'll post it when I find it . Now, does anyone know what model this Shakespeare is Reel is? Another $2 Garage sale special .It had no model# on it.

     

  • John Sheehan

  • Dwayne Denison

    John, They are listed as ul, they are just beefy rods.

  • John Sheehan

    Just found out ,production of the Push Button spinning reel began with the Shakespeare Company in 1953 the year I was born. The Shakespeare 'Wondercast 'reel. Any one have  one of these?My next question is when did the Johnson Company come out with the

    ir first model? 

  • John Sheehan

    The earliest known depiction of a fishing reel comes from a Southern Song (1127–1279) painting done in 1195 by Ma Yuan (c. 1160–1225) called "Angler on a Wintry Lake," showing a man sitting on a small sampan boat while casting out his fishing line.

  • David, aka, "McScruff"

    As far as I can recall, ZEBCO was first in 1949. This is excerpted from Wikipedia -

    "The first commercial spin cast reels were introduced by the Denison-Johnson Reel Company and the Zero Hour Bomb Company (ZEBCO) in 1949."

    Shakespeare did introduce their 'Wonder' series of reels - 1953 is right for them. The early Shakespeare's were nicely refined. Castings, machined parts, fine spring works... all of these are found in these old Shakespeare reels.

    The Johnson reel company of today did not start out as such. The original Johnson reel was designed by an engineer,  Lloyd Johnson, who happened to love fishing. He teamed with another man, Warren Denison to refine the design and form the Denison-Johnson Reel Co. of Mankato MN.

    Their first reel, the Sidewinder model 20, was designed in the early 1950's and patented in 1953. After many improvements and working up through the model numbers, the legendary Model 100 "Century" came out in 1955. Their marketing plan back in the 50's was pretty interesting. They would provide tackle shops with "loaner" outfits - both rod AND reel. These were then given to fishermen to "test drive." When they brought them back, the shop would sell them a brand new one at the "special introductory price."

    In the late 60's, billionaire Samuel C. Johnson Jr., who owned the Johnson Wax company purchased both Johnson reels and Minn-Kota motors. He incorporated these into a wide ranging outdoor products division, Johnson Worldwide Associates. Some of their brands? Beetle Spin lures, Minn-Kota trolling motors, Johnson and Mitchell reels, Camp Trails tents and backpacks, and Old Town canoes and kayaks, among others.

    In 2000, Johnson Fishing products became part of the Pure Fishing family of companies. Today their products are made offshore (polite way of saying China). They're good - but nothing beats the workmanship of the early models. Which is why I love them, still.

  • Jeffrey D. Abney

    Nice Keeper Largemouth and Striper, both caught on the old Zebco Rhino light tackle....Lots of fun listening to the drag sing and wrestling these fish to the net....

  • John Sheehan

    David -Thanks for your post .I guess Zebco WAS  the maker of SC reels ahead of Shakespeare.

  • Jeffrey D. Abney

    Zebco Rhino...a nice medium action reel and I've caught many bluegill on these reels......

  • Jeffrey D. Abney

    My favorite Microcast is the Zebco 11 Gold....I fish these often with six pound test......some of the newest spincasting reels in my arsenal......

  • Jeffrey D. Abney

    Another decent microcast in my arsenal....made by Shakespeare and I fish this one with four pound test.....smallest line I ever use with all my "river monsters" lurking....LOL

  • Dwayne Denison

    Jeff, is there any difference in the gold and platinum, compared to standard? I know they have more bearing, but do they work bettter?

  • Jeffrey D. Abney

    My only comparison can be on the Zebco microcast series and with no questions the Zebco 11 Gold has fished better than the standard...example for me is the line pick up.....the standard required me to place tension on the line to start pick-up but not on the gold series yet.....I'm hoping the durability will be there....

  • Dwayne Denison

    Some of my spincasters. The black 202, I have had since I was a kid

  • David, aka, "McScruff"

    @ Dwayne - that's the way I remember them - black plastic.

  • John Sheehan

    Cool rod racks!

  • Jeff Soto

    I hate to admit this, (and don't let my fishing buddies know) but I actually have a few spincasters that I enjoy using!  I know they are dorkey, but they are fun to use and perform pretty good!

  • David, aka, "McScruff"

    I never really got the dorky thing. Here we have a device that does all its predecessors did, while handily improving at least one aspect of both....and we think it "dorky!"
    The ability we men have to welcome the complex over sublime function never fails to baffle me.
  • Dwayne Denison

    David, so true

    Jeff, welcome aboard

    John, thanks, problem is I have 3 that size and have to make another.

  • John Sheehan

    Good problem to have Dwayne!

  • Dwayne Denison

    John, Wish my Wife thought the same way!

  • Lord of the Fly , Rods

    Thought yall might like to see some of my old stuff,  Shakespear Wonderflyte ,Model 1795 , about 47 years old, Johnson Century ,39 years old , never been on a rod, Meadowbrook baitcaster, Ocean City #81,and a unknown baitcaster, and a True Temper square metal rod.   Look how far we have come in last  50 to 75 years.         LOFR

  • Jeffrey D. Abney

    Nice looking vintage gear LOFR....thanks for sharing the photo...

  • David, aka, "McScruff"

    Classic stuff - got me a few of those m'self. Thanks!

  • John Sheehan

     Thanks for sharing your photo LOFR! You even know the ages!

    I have a few of those old level winds and one that has no worm gear level wind .Any one know why these reels were designed without a level wind?I think you got one there on the top left LOFR

  • Lord of the Fly , Rods

    The shakespear reel , I recieved at Christmas when I was 9 years old, the Johnson was a graduation gift, the rest I have inherited over the years, the reel without the line leveler was probally made before someone thought of line levelers. I really thought yall would like the square metal fishing rod, it would be a good lighting rod on the water     LOFR

  • David, aka, "McScruff"

    Center-pin, spooled (non level wind) reels were made for a long time, John. They were known as far back as the 1700's. They were "direct drive," initially, the handle being attached directly to the spool's center shaft. They and the fly reel share a common background.

    Then in the early 1800's, the multiplier reel (geared) came on the scene and soon became the standard. However, there was a "fly in the ointment," as it were. Fishing reels back then were made by jewelers and watch makers, and were essentially hand crafted artisan items. Most regular people wouldn't have been able to afford them.

    (Odd to think of that, isnt it? We take for granted the inexpensive, functional fishing gear we find on store shelves today.)

    As all of this suggests, the level-wind, multiplier reel came somewhat later. They were known by the mid 1800's; that is no surprise. But as far as I know it wasn't until the late 1800's that they appeared in what we think of as "production" numbers. It was the changes brought on by the Industrial Revolution that finally made them widely available. Only then was the technology available to produce their complex gears, bearings and components.

    None of this should be taken to mean that basic, non-level winders totally disappeared. They remained on the scene for the less-affluent angler and were surely the stuff for kids. They are still made today, in fact, albeit in plastic for the most part.

  • 10.5" RES Sharon

    Anyone ever try using this site for fishing forcast?

    http://www.weather.com/activities/recreation/outdoors/fishing/

     

    I tried it the last 4 days when it said my fishing would be excellent, and I caught my first bass the first day.

  • John Sheehan

    THANKS for this link Sharon!!

  • John Sheehan

    Got this Crappie and this Gill on a Johnson 'Country Mile ' spincasting reel/BPS Crappie Pro Rod /slip float /tube jig rig. Felt like a kid again.

  • David, aka, "McScruff"

    In know what you mean, John. They are both fun and excellent, at the same time. I came upon them later in life, but now have several of that style Johnson reel.

    In addition to the, "Country Mile," there was a sort of "gussied up" model, the "Crappie Pro," which featured an anodized aluminum nose cone. Its nice and my favorite among them.

    There was also a model called the "Country 6/Model 6," a low end version of the same breed.

    Finally, I'm aware of a "Century 2000" model, which was built on the same frame/mechanics, but which featured an adjustable line aperture. That one was pretty innovative.

    I have all of these, and use them from time to time. They probably possess one of the best drag setups of any value priced spin cast reel.
    It is a shame, to me, that they disappeared. In my humble opinion, they surpass the reels of today in the same price niche.
  • John Sheehan

    CORRECTION : The Country Mile 6 reel is mounted on a BPS Uncle Bucks CRAPPIE STIK rod .David- I have a Johnson  Crappie Pro 230 Reel mounted on another BPS/Uncle Bucks rod I intend to start using again .On that setup I have a tandem tube  Jig with spinner blades  tied ahead of the jigs I want to use .

  • John Sheehan

    David ,what rods are these reels mounted on ? The 'Crappie Stik' is short and whippy and casts aren't long so I use them  in the boat. My Zebco Slab Seeker 8' is the rod I use from shore .

  • David, aka, "McScruff"

    I've had them mounted on South Bend 6', light action rods for the most part. These are not high-end sticks; pretty sure they came from K-mart.
    My dad had several of them and when I inherited all his stuff, I used them as test beds. I never did test them to see if they would truly cast a "country mile," though.

    My current state is almost all spinning oriented. I've removed all the Johnson reels to the shelf and the only spincasts I have mounted are my Daiwa trigger spins:

    - A 40-X U/L, on a 7' Wright-McGill spin fly rod.
    - A US80-XD (I just got this one and haven't showed pics of it yet.)
    It is mounted to one of the K-mart rods.

    So, currently, I have NO Johnson reels in the water. I did fish part of last season and probably 80% of the season before with them, though. It was sure enough to teach me they are(were) superb, value priced reels..
  • John Sheehan

    Johnson Crappie Pro 230 reel, BPS Uncle Bucks 5' whip of a rod.  Tried out this Crappie Tandem spinner/tube jig  rig from shore the other night but couldn't reach the feeding rise I suspect where Crappie (maybe White Perch).I put more line on the reel and it casts about 50 ' now. Anxious to try it out in the boat. I have   a rubber float stop before the top spinner and the bottom spinner is tied into the line .When the tubes wear out I'll use twister tails.

  • David, aka, "McScruff"

    Longer rod or more weight, methinks?

    I wonder just what it takes to actually cast a country mile?
  • John Sheehan

    50' is fine for a boat ,not from shore .Then I usually use 8' slab seeker rod /spinning  reel

  • David, aka, "McScruff"

    You're right john. I also scale down in line size to get a little more distance.
  • John Sheehan

    The Johnson Crappie Pro is spooled with 6# test .The Country Mile with 4# test .

    The 8' Slab Seeker  rod casts real far with 2# test. I have a reel with 4# test on there now that has served me from shore very well.

     

  • David, aka, "McScruff"

    well you can't go much lower on line test eh?
    My guess next is that for more than 50 with those short rods', you'll just need some heavier weight
  • John Sheehan

    With floats I can add the weight away from the hook and maybe get better distance if I need it .Maybe even give it a shot for Bullheads .

  • John Sheehan

    With bullheads I use an 1/8th oz egg  sinker pinched off with a small shot and a good sized chunk of hot dog .It gets out to where I need it on a 6' rod  paired with a spinning reel and 6# test .I wanna feel a Bulllie on the whip rod .

     

  • David, aka, "McScruff"

    To the bass angler 1/8+ might not sound like much!
    But I don't use much more either. I have plenty of weights, but it is rare to exceed 1/2 oz. myself.

    I'm lucky, be cause I don't usually have to cast long distances.
    Occasionally, its needed and becomes a worse case scenario. This is why I've pretty much gone over to spinning of some sort.
  • Leo Nguyen

    Depending on if the bass angler is on shore or on the boat. On shore, 1/2oz is perfect, just enough to cast into the water about 40ft away. On boat, why in the world would you need any more than 1/8oz to cast beyond 20ft. I see people chucking rigs weighing towards a pound.

  • John Sheehan

    14" Salted Fathead Minnow under Float Fishing Salted Fatheads and Shiner heads under a float for Crappie with this outfit makes me feel like a kid again !

  • John Sheehan

    Here is a copy from a Forum by a guy named Tim :

    ok, here are all johnson reel models that i can think of

    1. model 10 sidewinder 1949

    2. model 10A -1950

    3. model 20 -1951

    4. model 22 - not sure of dates

    5. model 40 and 40 A 1951 -52

    6. model 60 1952 - 53

    7. model 80 1954 - 55

    8. model 100 century 1955

    9. model 100A century <phone> . model 100B century <phone> . model 110 citation 1956

    12. model 110a citation <phone> . model 110B citation 1962 - ?

    14. model 120 and 120A centennial 1958 - ?

    15. model 130 sabra - mid 1960's

    16. model 130A sabra mid 1960's

    17. model 130B late 1960's to mid 1970's

    18. model 140 - 19. model 140a 20. model 140c - 1960's ?

    21. model 150 22. model 150 A commander - late 60's

    23. model 155 guide - early 1970's

    24. model 160 guide - early mid 1970's

    25. model 165 guide - 1970's

    26. model 170 seville - 1970's

    27. fiskar 2 models - mid 1960's

    28. model 710 29. 710A 30. model 710B mid 1960's to mid 1970's

    I can't swear to you that the the dates are correct but they are close.

    some other models are
    31, model 087

    32. model 088

    33. model 089

    34.model 097

    35.model 098

    36. skipper model 125

    37.chevron

    38. model 44

    39. sabra model 545

    40.force model 315 41. force 340 42. force model 525

    43.century lite model 125

    44. sprint two models i cant remember the numbers.

    45. spirit model ?

    46.strike 415 47. strike 435

    48.century model 115 49. century model 135

    50. sprite model 200

    51. century model 225

    52. crappie pro model 230

    country mile 6 - 8 - 10 - 15 and 20

    tangle free - 8 - 10 - 14- 17- 20

    century 100B 40th anniversary.

    all of these were made in the usa i am forgetting some of the models if i think of them i will add them to the list. maybe someone else can add to the list or help with dates. there are so many different models and there is no list or documentation anywhere that i have ever been able to find. i have not listed any of the later models made in china. hope this helps. Tim

  • David, aka, "McScruff"

    I’ll take every Country mile or Crappie Pro reel Incan find