Seems like a lot of people on here, love spincasting reels. I myself have a weak spot for them. Most of us probably caught our first fish on one and still use them today.
I'll join as long as you don't kick me out for a good trip on a telescopic pole or my fly rod! I have some great times using spincasting reels as well....real fun to tackle a big bluegill on light tackle.......
First reel I ever had was a Zebco 202, first reel I ever bought was a 202. I still have it, collected soda bottles from ditches in town to buy it. Bought it at small bait shop we had in town, Conroys bait shop. I will post a pic of it
I am so a part of this group! I like spin cast reels, almost could say love 'em. And I really like the vintage ones. Say the words "Johnson Century" or "Shakespeare Wonder Spin" and my eyes start to glass over.
I no longer have any of the spincast reels I used to use in the seventies, but I do still have a Shakespeare spinning reel back then, and also the one-piece 5' Nightcrawler Secrets rod I bought at the same time.
Seem hard to find good spincast reels these days, but all the recent posts have given me some good ideas. The oldest spincaster I currently have is a Zebco 357 that I bought sometime in the late eighties, IIRC. My kids and wife have spincasters, but the reels haven't held up that well, I'll be looking around for some of the ones mentioned on here as replacements. Thanks, all!
Ha Ha Dwayne!!! Knew this group was only a matter of time ! Let's all cast a spincaster and forget to let go of the button and splash some water in our faces like we did the first time we used one before we were 10 yrs old. Maybe we even hooked our Dad's ear or at least shirt on our 2nd cast!
John, i knew you would like this. We always say My oldest boy has caught the biggest fish. He one cast his first 202, it wrapped around my bare leg. Luckly, I grapped the line, as he was about to set the hook. He thought if he jerked the rod real hard it would come unwrapped. I just about had a crankbait drove into my leg
@JBpluThuy - The 80's-90's Daiwas, Ryobis and Shimano's were pretty good and can be had for good prices. The same can be said for the Johnson models across the board. In my esteem these are the best of the bunch, unless you want to go back another 20 years, into some real vintage stuff.
@JBplusThuy - House brand reels from the 70's and 80's are another smart choice. Kmart and Sears come to mind here. Most of their stuff that I've seen from that period were either made by Johnson(sears) or Daiwa (Kmart).
Regardless, if it looks like an old Zebco, well it is probably not going to impress you.
Here is a Johnson "Crappie Pro," for those who are unfamiliar with them. I first learned of these (and their cousin, The Country Mile) when I saw them in a book on pan fishing. The name itself intrigued me, along with the description...
"Reels like the Johnson Country Mile and Crappie Pro really are hybrids that combine the looks and features of closed-face spin casting reels with open face spinning reels."
I got this one off ebay today, in great condition for $18.50, shipped to my door:
@ David and Dwayne, since you guys are so fond of the country mile, im replacing one of my old stand by metal gear 33s with a country mile i dug up to give it a try. putting it on a b n m sharpshooter....we'll see.
good choice, but unlike most I love old 33's. I like spincast reels on crappie long poles. Because all you really need is something to hold line. once I find depth of fish, I want line to stay there. Seems that if I bump the reel, I dont lose dept like I would with spinning reel
Dwayne Denison
Seems like a lot of people on here, love spincasting reels. I myself have a weak spot for them. Most of us probably caught our first fish on one and still use them today.
Jan 2, 2012
Jeffrey D. Abney
I'll join as long as you don't kick me out for a good trip on a telescopic pole or my fly rod! I have some great times using spincasting reels as well....real fun to tackle a big bluegill on light tackle.......
Jan 2, 2012
Dwayne Denison
Jeff, would never kick ya out. You are like me, spincasters and poles..ol skool fishin
Jan 2, 2012
Dwayne Denison
First reel I ever had was a Zebco 202, first reel I ever bought was a 202. I still have it, collected soda bottles from ditches in town to buy it. Bought it at small bait shop we had in town, Conroys bait shop. I will post a pic of it
Jan 2, 2012
Tomas Daniel
great group idea dwayne! proud to be a member. spincasts def. have a spot in my arsenal!
Jan 2, 2012
Dwayne Denison
Glad to have ya Tom. Something everyone has fished with
Jan 2, 2012
David, aka, "McScruff"
I am so a part of this group! I like spin cast reels, almost could say love 'em. And I really like the vintage ones. Say the words "Johnson Century" or "Shakespeare Wonder Spin" and my eyes start to glass over.
Thanks Dwayne for this group idea!
Jan 2, 2012
Dwayne Denison
David, I knew you would join, and I know how you love those old johnson's. I have a country mile and crappie pro,great reels!
Jan 2, 2012
Dwayne Denison
Guys be sure to post pics of your vintage reels. Any history would be great too. Or even if you just have a story to tell about the reel, please post
Jan 2, 2012
JBplusThuy
I no longer have any of the spincast reels I used to use in the seventies, but I do still have a Shakespeare spinning reel back then, and also the one-piece 5' Nightcrawler Secrets rod I bought at the same time.
Seem hard to find good spincast reels these days, but all the recent posts have given me some good ideas. The oldest spincaster I currently have is a Zebco 357 that I bought sometime in the late eighties, IIRC. My kids and wife have spincasters, but the reels haven't held up that well, I'll be looking around for some of the ones mentioned on here as replacements. Thanks, all!
Jan 2, 2012
Dwayne Denison
jbplusthuy, nice to have you along, I would love to have a nightcrawler secrets rod, I have been looking for one.
Jan 2, 2012
John Sheehan
Ha Ha Dwayne!!! Knew this group was only a matter of time ! Let's all cast a spincaster and forget to let go of the button and splash some water in our faces like we did the first time we used one before we were 10 yrs old. Maybe we even hooked our Dad's ear or at least shirt on our 2nd cast!
Jan 2, 2012
Dwayne Denison
John, i knew you would like this. We always say My oldest boy has caught the biggest fish. He one cast his first 202, it wrapped around my bare leg. Luckly, I grapped the line, as he was about to set the hook. He thought if he jerked the rod real hard it would come unwrapped. I just about had a crankbait drove into my leg
Jan 2, 2012
John Sheehan
Ha Ha ,wear a helmut and protective goggles!
Jan 2, 2012
David, aka, "McScruff"
@JBpluThuy - The 80's-90's Daiwas, Ryobis and Shimano's were pretty good and can be had for good prices. The same can be said for the Johnson models across the board. In my esteem these are the best of the bunch, unless you want to go back another 20 years, into some real vintage stuff.
Jan 2, 2012
Dwayne Denison
David, thats a great little reel
Jan 2, 2012
David, aka, "McScruff"
@JBplusThuy - House brand reels from the 70's and 80's are another smart choice. Kmart and Sears come to mind here. Most of their stuff that I've seen from that period were either made by Johnson(sears) or Daiwa (Kmart).
Regardless, if it looks like an old Zebco, well it is probably not going to impress you.
Jan 2, 2012
10.5" RES Sharon
Hello fellow spincasters! This group sounds like as much fun as the InWeedsGroup. Which isn't really a group at all. And, is hard to find.
Jan 2, 2012
David, aka, "McScruff"
@ Sharon... "and is about weeds...."
You crack me up!
Jan 2, 2012
David, aka, "McScruff"
Here is a Johnson "Crappie Pro," for those who are unfamiliar with them. I first learned of these (and their cousin, The Country Mile) when I saw them in a book on pan fishing. The name itself intrigued me, along with the description...
"Reels like the Johnson Country Mile and Crappie Pro really are hybrids that combine the looks and features of closed-face spin casting reels with open face spinning reels."
I got this one off ebay today, in great condition for $18.50, shipped to my door:
Jan 2, 2012
Dwayne Denison
David, looks like the one I have, good buy.Do you happen to remember the name of the book?
Jan 2, 2012
Tomas Daniel
@ David and Dwayne, since you guys are so fond of the country mile, im replacing one of my old stand by metal gear 33s with a country mile i dug up to give it a try. putting it on a b n m sharpshooter....we'll see.
Jan 2, 2012
Dwayne Denison
good choice, but unlike most I love old 33's. I like spincast reels on crappie long poles. Because all you really need is something to hold line. once I find depth of fish, I want line to stay there. Seems that if I bump the reel, I dont lose dept like I would with spinning reel
Jan 2, 2012
David, aka, "McScruff"
@ Dwayne - The book is, "Panfishing, Complete Anglers Library, North American Fishing Club." Copyright, 1991
ISBN 0-914697-37-4
I got it used, from www.alibris.com
Just go there and search the ISBN number.
Jan 2, 2012
David, aka, "McScruff"
@ Tomas - please report back on how it works!
Jan 2, 2012