A mess of fishing reels -

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Just some random stuff from my collection....

[Dwayne Denison]

David, Nice collection, love the old spincasters

[dick tabbert]

Brings back memories the old Shakespeare, and Johnson, and Zebco reels. That's what I started with growing up and they caught many fish. They didn't cost an arm and a leg and worked well for the time. Keep the memory juices flowing David and GOOD FISHIN..

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

@ Dick - How are you old buddy?! How's the wife doing?

You're right; all of these are bread-and-butter reels. I don't really get into the big bucks end of reel collecting - I actually prefer the common models. I find they were every bit as well built, often more interesting and people like you can relate to them better. Often, the most innovation is found in them, too. Sometimes new ideas were tried with them - and  dropped if unsuccessful - never making it into the main lines.

I cant possibly imagine how many fish were caught with such reels. Also, just how many men - now older or even gone - do you think started a lifelong love of fishing with such equipment? Each and every one of them was owned and used by some fellow angler, somewhere. Holding these things in your hand is a "reel" connection to bygone times.

[John Sheehan]

These are  great!! Are those Penn baitcasters top left?

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

@ John - Good eye you have - but no, they are not Penn's.

Penn is probably the best known brand of large, open spool reels around. I have a couple of them myself. But they had a lot of competitors - fishing has always been hugely popular in this country. It ranks in the top ten of leisure activities, year after year.

The two you are looking at there are:

1. Top - Ocean City, mod 112D

2.  Second down, Lawrence "Monospool"

These were primarily considered salt water reels, found along piers, jetties and docks on both coasts. They could also serve as well for large lake fish, and sometimes come from the Great Lakes region. Both of mine have been restored to full function, and I have another O-C 112 waiting on a left side plate.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

@ Dwayne - I'm fond of the old spincasters, too. They were highly engineered devices, made of metal and often featured some unique innovations. The ones shown here on the right are models from the early 60's. The second one down from the top, on the right, is a South Bend Spin 22, and has a couple of unique features.

First, this particular spincast reel has no push button! As we all know, the familiar spincast uses a thumb button to release, then hold the line for casting. In the case of the Spin 22, the action is different. The angler back spins the crank 1/3 of a turn to perform the line release function. Then he traps the line against the rods grip with his finger, just as with an open bail spinning reel. Casting is the same for that type - back cast, sweep rod forward and release the line with the finger.

Once the cast is complete, the handle is rotated forward again and the line winder engages, allowing the reel to draw in line.

As you might have guessed, this reel is mounted and used like a regular spinning reel, too. So it is really is a hybrid closed face spinning reel.

The second interesting feature is the drag system. This model uses the domed spool cover itself to put pressure on the spool, by rotating the cover clockwise/counterclockwise. There is a composite flat ring inside the cover that actually rubs on the spools rim, adding drag tension to the spool. This drag system works pretty good, in fact - until the washer wears out and needs replacing. Usually these are rotted or otherwise shot when the reel is received and must be made, or found from other sources.

Both Shakespeare and South Bend used this feature, that I know of. They also sold their products to others, like Sears and Roebuck, so there may be others.

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Nice collection David...I'm sure they all have stories to tell!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

You can tell they get my passion going for the nostalgic!. I wish I DID know all their stories...

[dick tabbert]

Yea I knew if I made that comment you would be thinking , how old is he anyway. Thanks for the concern about my wife. She seems to be a happier since I ordered her the reel from fishing abilities. Now she can do everything with her good arm and hand at least that's what were hoping. OK David enough on my age I'm glad I got your thinking juices going you take care and enjoy your memories I know you have many and I'm hoping many more to come. GOOD FISHIN..

[Leo Nguyen]

Sure is a nice of scattered collection. It surely tell a story of where you were, and what you have searched for with those reels. Not so lucky with me. Cant keep the new stuff without chucking the old.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Thanks, Leo. These do represent my changing tastes. Currently, I'm intrigued with spin cast reels from the 50's and 60's, specifically those from Johnson, South Bend and Shakespeare.

I also tend to look for innovative or special features when I select a reel.

But you mention something that you may wish to ponder further. See, I also use this older stuff. These are no less useful today simply for being "vintage." In fact, they are often less costly to purchase than new, since the kind I go for are not rare or museum quality.

And, here's another incentive to hang on to those older reels. After having been inside more reels than I can count, refurbishing and repairing, I can tell you that very little has changed with them. By my estimate, real innovation stopped somewhere in the 80's with the magnetically braked level wind reel. There is a lot more plastic, today, but the mechanisms are essentially the same.

Since most of my reels are selected "working models," I might take any of them afield. With a few exceptions, they are all functional and no less usable for their age. All of my current "go-to" spin cast reels are older vintage Johnson's, for example. So there is little reason to chuck them unless you just want to.

Some old reels are prized collector jewels, certainly. They can be considered rare, parts for them are unavailable and they're in pristine condition. Meanwhile, some others are simply junk and not worth bothering with. Those exist, too. Either of these might be happily taken out of service.

But for the vast mid-range of serviceable, everyday reels... well, I can only recommend you maintain and use them as long as they work. Keep those suckers and keep catching fish with them. If you do your part, they will probably outlast you!

[Leo Nguyen]

That's what my mom, and now, wife will not let me keep the old equipment. They indicated the costs of repair and restoring outweigh the costs of just getting a more effective and modernized gears. Wifey will only get me new toys, if I'm willing to get rid of the older one that occupy the storage spaces..LOL..well, can't bare to loose the old one that I have history with, but can't pass the chances for newer toys either.