Suggestions for vintage freshwater reels with drag/free spool?

[COangler]

Hello! I have recently acquired a logon for Reel Talk and I have spent several happy hours poring over images of gorgeous reels and posts of tips and such. Fantastic stuff!

With all the accumulated experience and knowledge here, I am hoping I might get some suggestions for a suitable 100 yd freshwater reel to fit on my 1930's 5'6" bamboo South Bend casting rod. I am interested in round reels with level wind and some sort of ABL or cast control, a clicker, and a drag system and free spool/handle anti-reverse. The Shakespeare President and Pflueger Supreme may have the features I am looking for but I would prefer a round reel. The Coxe 65 Do-All reel may do but I was hoping for a "prettier" reel, if possible.

I could use my Ambassadeur 2500c but I would prefer something more "vintage looking"

I appreciate any suggestions you may have.

Kevin

[Jeff Johnson]

Kevin, when I first read your post I thought that will be easy! Until I started looking at my reels that fit your description and criteria. I couldn't find a reel with all those options rolled up into one. I'm sure someone here will get closer then me. The Heddon p-41 looks fantastic on Bamboo or maybe a nice South bend. The 1300 Super South Bend has a lot of features or possibly the model 1250. Cant wait to see other folks ideas! Good luck, Jeff

[Robin Sayler]

Sounds like you need a pflueger skillcast with a cub handle added.

[COangler]

Thank you for the suggestions, Jeff. The Heddon PAL P-41 certainly looks good and the SB 1250 is truly beautiful, though it is not clear that is has a drag or free spool capability. Do you know if the 1250 does?

I could not find an image of the 1300 immediately on the Web, so I will have to do more looking to see what I can learn about that one.

Thank you again for the suggestions.

Kevin

[COangler]

Robin, the Skilkast might fit the bill. It is small and I see on ebay images that the tail plate has a knob labled "Mechanical Thumber". Is that a cast control (ABL) adjustment or is that a drag?

I looked for the Cub handle you mentioned and I see those can be had on ebay as well. It is not clear to me how it works. I will search Reel Talk to see if anyone has discussed its operation.

Thanks!

Kevin

[Robin Sayler]

The skillcast has a "mechanical thinner" which is an anti-backlash feature. The cub handle is an add on handle that acts as a drag. You tighten or loosen the screws to achieve the desired amount of drag. I have used these quite a bit and they work well. The only drawback is that the drag is not easily adjustable while fighting a fish.

[COangler]

Robin, you are right. I found a post in Reel Talk wherein Tom E. said one needs to adjust all six screws on the Cub handle in order to adjust the amount of drag. That would be mighty difficult while fighting a fish.

I did find an Akron 1895 on ebay. It appears to have a handle which appears to be a cross between a #2452 Cub handle and a more conventional star drag. Might that one be easier to adjust on the fly?

I found mention in old posts of the Akron 1895 and then also an Akron 1895B variant, called "free spool". Are all Akron 1895 variants have free spool capability, or is it just the 'B' version, do you know?

Thanks
Kevin

[Jeff Johnson]

Kevin, I cant find my 1250 right now but I doubt it does have the free spool and drag. Most 100 YD round reels with a level wind , clicker and an anti backlash feature is all the goodness they could back into a reel of that size. Like Robin said add an aftermarket handle drag and your almost there!
Here's the 1300

[Robin Sayler]

All of the Akron 1895 and summit 1995 models have drag and freespool. The freespool is a push button and the drag adjusts by twisting the star on the handle. I do not have any experience fishing with these though.

[Harry Verdurchi]

Here Ya Go!


Years ahead of it's Time
Pflueger Capitol Model 1985
Just a little bigger than a Garcia 6000 and 3 x the weight!

[RAM]

Even I can't backlash a Skilkast and that says a lot. Dating from the 40s it is cool to use with bamboo. Tight lines Kevin!

Bad Bob

[COangler]

Thank you, all, for your suggestions. They are very helpful. There are some really lovely reels to choose from. I may have to buy several.

It seems I may become a collector of sorts after all, God help me.

Thanks, again, folks.

Kevin

[bettybarr]

That's what happens when you hang out here. It is a disease but only fatal to your wallet and storage area! If you can get your wife to collect you really have a problem. I am responsible for my husband's reel addiction and he continually blames me by always giving me a reel for any occasion so that he can enjoy it! I win both ways!

[Midway Tommy D]

Thank you, all, for your suggestions. I may have to buy several.

It seems I may become a collector of sorts after all, God help me.

Thanks, again, folks. Kevin

Mission accomplished Welcome Kevin!!

[COangler]

Indeed. I have spent far too many hours on this board and on ebay and elsewhere on the Web trying to scare up info on shiny old reels. It is great fun and is a terrific diversion while I wait for Spring.

I may join the dark side at last. At least I will be in very good company.

Cheers
Kevin

[David Lehmann]

All of the suggestions are good, but I'll throw another reel or two into the mix: if you are going to cast lighter braid line, a Coxe 25 or the 25 Coronet may be a fun and attractive reel!