Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?

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Cuttyhunker
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?

Post by Cuttyhunker »

For me the top one, is the one and only, (to me) old closed faced Zebco with a hole in the back, no lever, with a spinning piece of plastic under the hole to thumb for backlash control. It showed up when I was about six and sucked me right into this whole fishy thing, but that's just my private Idaho.
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Mike N
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?

Post by Mike N »

Wow, those are some great reels.

The patina on that Shakespeare Style C 1897 is absolutely perfect.


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Eric J
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?

Post by Eric J »

Mike- thanks for the nice appraisal of my “C”.
I bought that at the Thoms auction (in 2005 I think). I liked it because it still had some of the original oxidized silver on it, low serial number, and it was the only one I had seen at that point with a single clicker slide. Since then I’ve seen a few more, but by far most have the two sliders.
I don’t polish my reels, I just try to keep them oiled. But when I see a nicely polished reel on these posts it really tempts me because they look so good. They are absolutely stunning.
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Eric J
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?

Post by Eric J »

Dr. Elder- Your Wheeler & MacGreggor #3 is similar to the W&M #3 reel from MSU Archives that I included in my last Reel News article, but all of the others I’ve seen have the single half-moon pawl screw access slot in the center of the LW shield instead of two holes like on yours and MSU’s. Do you know which version came earlier?
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john elder
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?

Post by john elder »

Hi, Eric, this is the only one i have owned so no info about those access holes, other than to point out that the W&M “Milwaukee” reel shown in Steve Vernon’s new book has three access holes! No official serial number on mine , other than what appears to be either a Roman numeral II or an 11:



I just got an incredible feeling of deja vu on the foot marking.... have we been over this one before??
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Steve
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?

Post by Steve »

WM reels were made in both GS and NPB. Dr. E's reel is clearly a narrower-spool model than mine. It also has decorated pillars, and the two reels have line guides of different shapes.

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john elder
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?

Post by john elder »

Just a great start for 2019! 7 reels in the mail today and I actually get to keep this one! Thanks to my buddy, Doug Whittington and his decision not to start a bait caster collection, I was able to trade him out of this early Shakespeare type C....a great add to start the year, fer shur! (serial #926)





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
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Mike N
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?

Post by Mike N »

Great reel, John. Such a classic.

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spadej1
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?

Post by spadej1 »

I had the pleasure of visiting John yesterday and seeing that Style C in person and it is a beauty!
-James-
New to reel collecting so bear with me please. I like reel deals!
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reeltackle
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?

Post by reeltackle »

Great little reels! Gotta love the "C Type" and of course the Henshall reels with their wonderful intricate features. That little hard rubber Miesselbach had a place in my heart for a while too. Here are a couple of great little baitcasters I had the pleasure of owning over the years that have found their way to new homes .... sure wish you could keep it all!

Edward vom Hofe #3 size Kentucky style -



Chamberlin Cartridge Co. - Coin silver, gold fittings with jade sliders and knob -



Gayle #3 - Red hard rubber side-plates -



Abbey & Imbrie - "The Imbrie" Black Bass Reel -



And from England the Kitchens Patent reel (I haven't parted with this one yet)

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john elder
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?

Post by john elder »

Fantastic adds, Ed! Thanks!
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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
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Mike N
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?

Post by Mike N »

Man, Ed, when you come out of your lane, you still tear it up. Those are just some great reels. Thanks for the photos.

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Teal
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?

Post by Teal »

I've wanted to get Talbots with all three stampings for some time, just picked the last of them up -- the rare Chicago Talbot Richardson with original papers dated to 1924. Love it. Now I have the same model reel marked with two Missouri stamps and the Chicago one.

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john elder
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Re: Top Ten freshwater BAITCASTERS?

Post by john elder »

Congrats, Dr Todd! Must admit i haven’t even had the chance to fondle one out of that shop, let alone own one!
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
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