SURVEY! LET US HEAR FROM YOU!

[Dan Z]

Thanks for asking John.
I collect
HARDY SALTWATER
KOVALOVSKY
STEAD
KLEIN
COXE
ZANE GREY OWNED REELS
ANYTHING HEMINGWAY RELATED
Bigger VOM HOFE'S
and I have the ONLY KNOWN SEVEN SEAS REEL (24/0 or 25/O in size!)
and pre-1950's well made and oddball reels. I'm looking for more AUSTRALIAN and international big game reels.
ALWAYS HUNTING FOR MORE!

Yes- VINTAGE only... seems most my collection falls between 1910-1940's.
THANKS Orca & John. I welcome communication. Daniel Z

[Shootrj2003]

Mitchell’s and Penn conventionals,anything pre 90’s but own mostly 40+50’sespecialy with engraved side plates

[forge]

i collect only early Pflueger Medalist (only ones made in the US) as well as Orvis Madison reels made by Pflueger. Thanks for asking.

forge

[kyreels]

Welcome forge! Gotta love the Pflueger reels.

[john elder]

Hey, Forge! Post a out your collection on the general page and tell us what holes you need to fill!

John

[PhilinFL]

I have a varied collection, however mine eyes are always looking out for Mitchell Half Bails, Level wind Shakespeare, Super reel, Marhoff etc. have some Pflueger's mostly Rockets. some Penn conventional, bunch of Penn Spinfisher and early slammers.
I prefer to find reels from private owners as there is always a story that accompanies them. I hunt for reels that can be restored and used. I refurbish vintage rods as well so its nice to pair a old reel and rod together.
I'm always encouraged while pier fishing and I land a slot snook or redfish with vintage Greenie and vintage rod and the youngsters ask "what king of reel is that"

[Terry Battisti]

What do I collect? That's a tough question. I have nearly every bit of tackle I have ever purchased since 1974. My "collection" includes several ABU casting reels dating from the 1960s through the late 1980s. Recently, within the last two months, I have gotten into old baitcasting reels from the early- to mid-1900s.

Mostly I collect magazines, catalogs, and books on bass fishing.

Terry

[Paul9591]

I Started collecting the reels from my youth for nostalgic reasons, those models I used to own and then those I could not afford at the time; then I got a bit carried away with it all.

So..
1. British KP Morritt's 'Intrepid' reels and their 'Old pal' US equivalents.
These were the target of most British youngsters (and some older and more experienced), being cheap enough to be within reach of most, and for us Brits, a home built reel. They ranged from basic and clunky to quite innovative and well built (until Gladding came along, bought the company and replaced some great designs with Hong Kong made reels with self destruct gears...sorry I digress..).
My collection is pretty comprehensive, ranging from the late 50's to their demise around 1980 (I think).
Not that well known outside of the UK (I suspect?), but legendary in their own way on this side of the pond.

2. I am a big 'The Mitchell'/ 'Mitchell 300' fan, more so those made before 1954, but I have a fair collection of later 330, 400, 410 and 440 Match models too.
I have a small collection of nice condition half bail 'The Mitchell' reels, from version 2 to full bail version 4 (14 in total) and these are my absolute favourites (I love restoring very tired looking ones).

3. ABU Cardinals (green and cream) from 1969 to 1974, also ABU 500 series closed face reels (501 & 506), 6500 multipliers (blue yonder, Mag elite etc) and my pride and joy; a 1974 ABU 7000, mint with box; I had one of these back in 1975, and stupidly sold it.

4. Lastly, old quirky looking reels.
I have a 1936 Mepps Baby Vamp (love that little reel!), a nice full bail 1950's or early 60's Marine Record 500, and a really cool little Kilian bait caster / multiplier. I also have a few British TJ Harrington reels like the Omnia (50's and 60's).

[Midway Tommy D]

Looks like you have a nice collection/variation going on there, Paul.

Welcome!

[kyreels]

Welcome to Reel Talk!

[Farace]

Mostly fly reels, with a focus on “reels my grandfather would have owned.” My two favorites were inherited from my grandfather, a ca. 1938 Pflueger Medalist 1494, and a ’30s Heddon Imperial 125 with round agate line guide. I seem to have an affinity for US-made Medalists in general and also have a 1492 and a 1494 1/2. I also have some of my grandfather’s spinning reels, and my dad’s Mitchell 300, but my main interest is in fly fishing.

[spinner-g]

1: I collect reels of all styles of fishing and do not collect by maker. Instead I only buy reels that interest me. Aesthetics, design, build quality are things I look for in every reel. Value is not considered, I have reels that cost a few pounds sterling/euros/dollars sat next to reels that are priceless, one off pieces of the rarest type. I love them all equally. Anything that is slightly out of the ordinary will tempt me, I particularly like reel with levers on, especially if they control some kind of braking system. I have desigend and commissioned to be made several reels, both very different from one and other and totally unique. I have a desire to do more in the future and maybe even one day make a few reels for myself. My collections sits at about 400 pieces.

2: Age wise, my reels range from antique to the latest technology available. When I say antique, I do not refer to the American version of antique, moreso the English/European type, in other words 100 plus years old. I have a fair few reels in this age category of various makers.

[kyreels]

We appreciate the eclectic and unusual, so welcome again. I know you have been around for at least 5 years. Good to see you posting. You always have interesting things to share.

[soreno]

I collect non level wind German Silver casting reels 60yd, 80yd and 100yd. I have been collecting since the late 90's. But stopped for about 20 years. Then 5 years ago I picked up where I left off. It was great to rejoin the club.
Montague
Talbot Hardware Store Reels
South Bend 1131 variations
Modified Tournament casting reels
Free spool casting reels
ABL devices
Kentucky and Kentucky style
The smaller the better. Scott Shields

[GaryWB]

I only collect, and or repair and pass on Johnson reels. The oldest one I have is a Sidewinder 10A. Which is basically the second reel they ever made.

[kyreels]

Welcome Gary. Pretty sure my first reel was a close-faced Johnson. Hope you find the first reel they made!

[Rick53]

Rick53,
Colorado/Wyoming trout fisherman and reel enthusiast. Collect, rebuild, service and break reels.

I started with 44XX Mitchell spin reels. Then added the egg-shaped Mitchell’s as I became hooked on collecting. In all I’ve got about 45 - 50 Mitchell units. Other spin reels are Shimano.

Fly reels include Pflueger, Shakespeare, Orvis, Martin and some skeleton Ideal and Meisellbachs.

Casting reels are Pflueger, Shakespeare and South Bend.

Trolling with Penns and Diawa.

[kyreels]

Welcome Rick53. Looks like this is the place for you. Looking forward to your posts. We always enjoy repair topics.

[Backwater Outfitters]

I am intrigued by most of them. I think it's the mechanics of them and how far we have come since the earliest reels made. I particularly enjoy the whole restoration process of it. I am a new member here and would be interested in conversing with others that have their own restoration shop and their processes in restoring reels. I am sure there are plenty of posts on here already, just haven't navigated through the whole site yet. Looking for a subject heading that specializes on others' shops and the like.

[john elder]

Rick, i do a lot of restoration/repair work, mostly from Club members. Any time you want to discuss an issue, just PM me and maybe we both learn something. I must quickly add that i have limited experience when it comes to spinning reels. However, there are several mavens on the board that can address about any issue or reel, so you only need post here to get help or a willing ear!

[kyreels]

Looking for a subject heading that specializes on others' shops and the like.

The forum Cleaning and Restoration contains the most information on repair. viewforum.php?f=6