Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
- john elder
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Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
I have no illusions about agreement here and these are not even in order of my favorites, but they all are bait casting reels that tickled my fancy at one time or the other and I still like 'em all. I hope this will inspire many of you to add your favorites to the thread!
1. Henshall Van Antwerp
2. Meisselbach 4-1 Takeapart
3. Wheeler & McGregor #3
4. Pflueger Early Raised Pillar Summit
5. B.C. Milam #3 (this could have been any of 50 Milam/Meek KY reels!)
6. Pflueger (Sonnett says second model) Levelwind Summit
7. Al Foss Easy-Control 3-25
8. Deluxe 4-screw by Montague (could have been any Monty 4-screw!)
9. Tomahawk Vim by Talbot
10. Rochester 9-Multiplier
1. Henshall Van Antwerp
2. Meisselbach 4-1 Takeapart
3. Wheeler & McGregor #3
4. Pflueger Early Raised Pillar Summit
5. B.C. Milam #3 (this could have been any of 50 Milam/Meek KY reels!)
6. Pflueger (Sonnett says second model) Levelwind Summit
7. Al Foss Easy-Control 3-25
8. Deluxe 4-screw by Montague (could have been any Monty 4-screw!)
9. Tomahawk Vim by Talbot
10. Rochester 9-Multiplier
ORCA member since 1999
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Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
Honorary Life Member
Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
- Wayne B.
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
Nice reels! John, what is the black material on the Take-apart. I have never seen that model.
Wayne Benson
ORCA Member, 2009
Waynesreelcollectibles.weebly.com
ORCA Member, 2009
Waynesreelcollectibles.weebly.com
Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
Well, if you're looking for fancy ticklers, here are a few of my favorites...
Boardman
Howard & Sievers
Marhoff Marhoff
R. & L. Lewis
Wisner
Boardman
Howard & Sievers
Marhoff Marhoff
R. & L. Lewis
Wisner
Steve Vernon
ORCA Honorary member
Book: ANTIQUE FISHING REELS, 2nd Ed.
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Antique Fishing Reels
Kopf reels
Hendrick reels
"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."
Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
Man, I love that Boardman! Thanks for sharing.
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- john elder
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
Fantastic !!! And so rare, Steve and Mark! Nice adds.
Wayne, the black stuff is hard rubber that, in general, was not hard enough on this early model. The threads are in the hard rubber and are usually thrashed... so lucky to get this minty one from Ed Pritchard!
Wayne, the black stuff is hard rubber that, in general, was not hard enough on this early model. The threads are in the hard rubber and are usually thrashed... so lucky to get this minty one from Ed Pritchard!
ORCA member since 1999
Honorary Life Member
Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
Honorary Life Member
Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
- Midway Tommy D
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
As most of y'all are well aware, I am far from a conventional style/baitcaster aficionado, but here's a neat example I found recently, a nice Abu Ambassadeur Sweden 5000D Champagne Gold.
The Abu Ambassadeur 5000D (Direct Drive) was produced, pointedly for the bass fisherman, between 1974 and 1977, and basically only came in green. The 5000D did not utilize a star drag adjustment but rather a knurled thumb washer. This was to compensate for the reverse handle turn when line is being payed out. Since it is a direct drive it has no standard anti-reverse function other than drag set against the handle spinning backward.
This Abu Ambassadeur 5000D Champagne Gold example was produced in limited quantities for one month in 1974 exclusively to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Gamble–Skogmo Department Stores, St. Louis Park (Minneapolis), MN. The Gamble–Skogmo Champagne Gold reels were produced with a unique serial number, 741100, which is found on the dimpled foot of all those reels.*
*It will more than likely be finding a new home in the coming weeks.
The Abu Ambassadeur 5000D (Direct Drive) was produced, pointedly for the bass fisherman, between 1974 and 1977, and basically only came in green. The 5000D did not utilize a star drag adjustment but rather a knurled thumb washer. This was to compensate for the reverse handle turn when line is being payed out. Since it is a direct drive it has no standard anti-reverse function other than drag set against the handle spinning backward.
This Abu Ambassadeur 5000D Champagne Gold example was produced in limited quantities for one month in 1974 exclusively to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Gamble–Skogmo Department Stores, St. Louis Park (Minneapolis), MN. The Gamble–Skogmo Champagne Gold reels were produced with a unique serial number, 741100, which is found on the dimpled foot of all those reels.*
*It will more than likely be finding a new home in the coming weeks.
Love those Open Face Spinning Reels! (Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco)
Tom DeLong, NE
ORCA Member - 2027
Tom DeLong, NE
ORCA Member - 2027
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
One I've posted several times, but still one of my top ten. An early Shakespeare "Style B" with the original case with level-wind instructions and the original chamois bag.
Last edited by wrong99 on Wed Dec 26, 2018 2:24 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- reelsmith.
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
My preference is for fly reels, but I am partial to this baitcaster and I’m a big JVH fan.
John, is the front rim on your Meisselbach only partially screwed on ? I really like that reel !
Dean.
John, is the front rim on your Meisselbach only partially screwed on ? I really like that reel !
Dean.
Wanted: Kosmic Items, Small Leather Fly Reel Cases, Early Fishing Related Bottles, Fly Reels and Pre-1900 Angling/Casting Medals.
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- Wayne B.
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
That’s the reason I asked. It would be so easy to cut those rubber end-plates with the metal rims. But it is definitely a nice looking reel.john elder wrote:
Wayne, the black stuff is hard rubber that, in general, was not hard enough on this early model. The threads are in the hard rubber and are usually trashed.
Wayne Benson
ORCA Member, 2009
Waynesreelcollectibles.weebly.com
ORCA Member, 2009
Waynesreelcollectibles.weebly.com
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
Here are a couple of Heddons to keep the list going. One of the first Heddon, Welch level winds, complete with a glass vial to hold the Sperm oil recommended by Heddon.
Secondly, a very unique and appealing Heddon Pal.
Secondly, a very unique and appealing Heddon Pal.
Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
Here is a subset list of my 5 favorite visual features from among the reels pictured above:
1. The Al Foss decal on the cork arbor.
2. The spiked rubber spool ball on the Heddon 4-18 windshield wiper (always a fav).
3. The bump out gear box on the brass R. & L. Lewis.
4. The white side plates on the Heddon Pal.
5. The black spiral grasp on the Meisselbach 4-1 (It’s Art Deco,really).
The longer I collect, the more I appreciate the little aesthetic things that a reel designer/maker took the time to include to make the reel unique.
Mike N.
1. The Al Foss decal on the cork arbor.
2. The spiked rubber spool ball on the Heddon 4-18 windshield wiper (always a fav).
3. The bump out gear box on the brass R. & L. Lewis.
4. The white side plates on the Heddon Pal.
5. The black spiral grasp on the Meisselbach 4-1 (It’s Art Deco,really).
The longer I collect, the more I appreciate the little aesthetic things that a reel designer/maker took the time to include to make the reel unique.
Mike N.
Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
ORCA Founder, 1990
Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
Aloha
Brian F.
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ORCA Member 1997
Got a spare reel stamped "Pflueger" or a Montague Imperial?
"Caution, objects in reel view mirror are older than they appear."
Brian F.
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ORCA Member 1997
Got a spare reel stamped "Pflueger" or a Montague Imperial?
"Caution, objects in reel view mirror are older than they appear."
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
Although I consider myself to be a collector of early fly reels, here are a few of my favorite baitcasters. Left to right: JVH, Henshall Van Antwerp, EVH, Kosmic/Crook
- reelsmith.
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
Super reel Brian !Brian F. wrote:Maybe not freshwater and maybe not a baitcaster but it's the closest I've got in a while.
U.S. Net & Twine ?
Dean.
Wanted: Kosmic Items, Small Leather Fly Reel Cases, Early Fishing Related Bottles, Fly Reels and Pre-1900 Angling/Casting Medals.
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http://www.tackletreasures.com/
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
Here are a few more.
Kopf on the left JVH on the right.
Narrow JVH Casting Reel stamped Wm. Mills & Son
Kopf on the left JVH on the right.
Narrow JVH Casting Reel stamped Wm. Mills & Son
Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
Thanks, Dean! I believe that was the last consensus. I asked about it in a post a while back. If you need details, you'll have to ask Elder about it now, lol.reelsmith. wrote:Super reel Brian !Brian F. wrote:Maybe not freshwater and maybe not a baitcaster but it's the closest I've got in a while.
U.S. Net & Twine ?
Dean.
Aloha
Brian F.
_________
ORCA Member 1997
Got a spare reel stamped "Pflueger" or a Montague Imperial?
"Caution, objects in reel view mirror are older than they appear."
Brian F.
_________
ORCA Member 1997
Got a spare reel stamped "Pflueger" or a Montague Imperial?
"Caution, objects in reel view mirror are older than they appear."
- reelsmith.
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
Dang ...Elder is like a magnet for quality reels.
Thanks, Dean! I believe that was the last consensus. I asked about it in a post a while back. If you need details, you'll have to ask Elder about it now, lol.
Dean.
Wanted: Kosmic Items, Small Leather Fly Reel Cases, Early Fishing Related Bottles, Fly Reels and Pre-1900 Angling/Casting Medals.
http://www.tackletreasures.com/
http://www.tackletreasures.com/
Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
Great reels Ray! Thanks for sharing.
Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
Dean, thats a Beauty!! Love the knurling on the rims.
Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
I buy baitcasters to fish with and my current favorite for casting ability and easy of maintenance is the Langley Target (with a few minor modifications).
-steve
-steve
Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?
Some really great reels there!
This has given me an excuse to get some out and oil them up.
Here’s my top 10:
Early Shakespeare Style C 1897
Shakespeare’s second reel “The Rubber Standard” 1901
Shakespeare Standard with optional oxidized silver plating 1902
Mr. Shakespeare’s personal SB Anti-backlash SN#3080
This Shakespeare Style B SN#96 belonged to Mr. Shakespeare’s fishing partner Dr. Augustus Warren Crane, x-ray pioneer who didn’t become one of the x-ray martyrs because he used leaded glass in his machine.
Mr. Shakespeare’s personal Marhoff 1922 Model with experimental internal bridging on the faceplate. Several of his own reels had one handle broken off and he may have done this on purpose.
Personal reel of Mr. Shakespeare’s with experimental foot.
Mr. Shakespeare’s diminutive Tournament Reel.
I just love these hand engraved Shakespeare’s. This one came from my friend and mentor Bill Sonnett. Note the gold accents.
This reel belonged to Shakespeare VP of Sales Mr. A.E. Ford. The leaping bass is in raised relief. I’ve never seen another like it.
This has given me an excuse to get some out and oil them up.
Here’s my top 10:
Early Shakespeare Style C 1897
Shakespeare’s second reel “The Rubber Standard” 1901
Shakespeare Standard with optional oxidized silver plating 1902
Mr. Shakespeare’s personal SB Anti-backlash SN#3080
This Shakespeare Style B SN#96 belonged to Mr. Shakespeare’s fishing partner Dr. Augustus Warren Crane, x-ray pioneer who didn’t become one of the x-ray martyrs because he used leaded glass in his machine.
Mr. Shakespeare’s personal Marhoff 1922 Model with experimental internal bridging on the faceplate. Several of his own reels had one handle broken off and he may have done this on purpose.
Personal reel of Mr. Shakespeare’s with experimental foot.
Mr. Shakespeare’s diminutive Tournament Reel.
I just love these hand engraved Shakespeare’s. This one came from my friend and mentor Bill Sonnett. Note the gold accents.
This reel belonged to Shakespeare VP of Sales Mr. A.E. Ford. The leaping bass is in raised relief. I’ve never seen another like it.
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