Tournment Casters from the past?

[Willis Logan]

We know who they were from the records. The Men and women that were the greats in the 1940's and early 1950's and earlier. We also, know they were very good at the skills of casting . They were very good----but what I have never seen available or shown is what equipment these super stars were using individually.

What reels and rods were these casters using to create these high casting scores?? Also, fishing line--what companies, test, etc.

Thanks!
Willis Logan

[Brian F.]

Willis, there's an auction up right now with one of the reels that Al pointed out on this board:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=19056

Maybe I'm not supposed to do this but after the auction is removed, the info will remain here with ORCA so here's the auction description and photos:

This tackle collection liquidation by the ACA has had some great deals BUT THIS REEL IS PART OF A TWO PART GRAND FINALE.
The reel you are bidding on is a very special reel and to my pretty well schooled knowledge of unrestricted reels it is probably one of only 4 or 5 remaining.

It is a modified Langley Target that was designed for what the Sport of Tournament casting called UNRESTRICTED 3/8 & 5/8 oz. distance casting.
You will notice that the normal spool has been replaced with a spool that weighs just a fraction of an once, (magnesium) is the diameter of a quarter and the thickness of less than two quarters yet hold over 750' of a VERY SPECIAL SINGLE STRAND SILK LINE.

This exact reel was used to cast a 5/8 oz. casting plug OVER 500' using a 5' relatively stiff baitcast Rod.
***Rod photos will be added soon***
The reel was modified for Cliff Netherton by Jim Venable a long time strong competitor in the sport FOR OVER 50 years.

With this reel goes a great article by Mr. Venable along with a matching Rod and an extra spool.
The lucky buyer will also be given very detailed instructions on how these outfits of wander were set up.
I almost forgot to explain that the running line used on such reels came on a spool that held "20,000 feet to the ONCE."

In closing I am offering to do and send the buyer a video of a like Rod and reel in action.
PLEASE feel free to ask question and I know there will be question.

Good Luck

John Seroczynski
ACA PAST PRESIDENT
P/ S: Rod & Reel will be shipped with insurance.
ADDITIONAL LANGLEY ON #191910108967

[Brian F.]

Here's the other one:

This ACA auction is a SAVE THE BEST TO LAST posting.

This tackle box and contents were Jim Venable's personal tournament unrestricted tackle.
Jim was not only a strong competitor but more important he was one of the key designers of the reels used for the 3/8 & and 5/8 oz. distance events.

As you can see his designs were based on modifying the Langley Target free-spool tournament reel.
These reels matched with stiff action glass rods by Conolon, Silaflex or Bamboo created the highest on competitive goals for the times.

These reels and other similar designs were capable of and expected to cast 3/8 and 5/8 oz plugs between 350 and 450'.

These unbelievable distances were accomplished due to tiny magnesium spools weighing fractions of an once, the diameter of a quarter, and held well over 500' of SINGLE STRAND SILK LINE (less than 1# test) that came on a bulk spool that held 20,000 feet TO THE ONCE.

The tackle box contains the following:

One Langley Target with case
One MODIFIED Event Ready Langley Target with extra Mag & Aluminum spools, An assortment of the oils used to control line over-runs, two official distance plugs and a few related tools.

The box comes with a matching distance event Rod & Handle.

I will also include a detailed explanation of how these outfits were set up for the event.

As I stated in the previous auction posted today that contains another of the Venable Targets, these reels were VERY RARE AND THERE WERE VERY FEW MADE BY MR. VENABLE.

I was privileged to have been a personal friend of Jim and to have him as a distance casting coach.
Feel free to ask questions, good luck and THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE AMERICAN CADTING ASSOC.
SERO1

P/S: photos of the Rod will be added soon.

[Midway Tommy D]

Wouldn't it be nice if John, Bill Burke and others expanded on the inner working of their sport? Sure wish I could have been at Buckberry to listen to, and meet, Bill.

[colby sorrells]

Bill shared some great information at Buckberry but he only got to the tip of the iceberg. I learn something (usually many somethings) every time I'm around him. He knows some wonderful history. Keepin' It Fun. CS

[Willis Logan]

Brian

That tackle box supports what Jason Lucus stated in one of his articles. "A good tournment caster's tackle box will often look like it belongs to Standard Oil research scientist".

[Mike N]

Thank you all who posted. I missed these items and appreciate the heads up.

I've posted many neat items I've seen on the eBay thread, and appreciate the pay back. I love tournament casting reels and line spools.

[Reel Geezer]

Members might also be interested in the article in the March 1997 issue of the Reel News by Jay Klenk. There is quite a bit of information on tournament reel makers and also a photo of the Lew Perkins distance casting reel and handle that I used to own. Jay was (is?) an ORCA member from Cincinati who had attended 25 National Tournaments at the time of the article.

I forgot there is also a letter to the editor and photo of a reel made by Jim Venable on page 11, along with some information about Mr. Venable.