Picking a reel

[mrbiggfish]

I love reading the history of these old reels, but do you ever buy a reel on just because you love the way it looks? I mean I like the history of Heddon lures and reels, but I saw a J.A. Coax Bronson Invader on here the other day, and thought it was just a beautiful reel. I'm looking for one now , I had found one but thought it was over priced. I would like to see what some of you like for just the looks of a reel.

[Midway Tommy D]

Some people collect for value and others collect what intrigues them, is pleasing to the eye or relevant to history,etc. I don't think there is a "set or right" approach to collecting other that whatever pleases you. My only advise is, if you are new to the hobby, try to figure out what really interests you and stay within those parameters. If you start out helter-skelter you will soon find yourself overwhelmed because there are so many avenues to explore.

I only do spinning reels, but Invaders are pretty cool looking. Be prepared to open your billfold for a really nice example, though, lots of people think they are neat looking.

Good luck and be patient, you'll find a nice one.

[jimbofish]

do you ever buy a reel on just because you love the way it looks?

Sure. So do a lot of others, which can make a pristine example quite pricey.
I look for less than perfect ones that are within my price range, then spend some time making them as pretty as I can. It takes a lot of patience, but eventually one will show up, sometimes in unexpected places.
I've found that when I've overpaid, several more will show up shortly afterward at the right price. If I'm feeling unsure about a potential purchase, I pass, knowing there will always be another. It takes persistence and discipline.
BTW the Invader appeals to me too. There are a few Bronsons that have the same style as the Invader, but sell for a lot less and are easier to find. The Veteran 1600 is the plainest and sells for only a few bucks. There are others on the Bronson Reels site here: https://www.bronsonreelphotos.com/bronso ... reels.html

As for my 'irresistible' preference, it's casting feels with colored spacers, preferably on both sides.

[mrbiggfish]

Thank you for the good advice.I was thinking the other day I need to stick to a certain kind of reel. I will probably go deep in the wallet sometime and buy a good one, but for now buying a few and learning to clean them up. I bought a house on Houghton Lake last year and would like to get some nice reels to display.
Those are some beautiful reels!
Thanks
Kevin

[jimbofish]

I was just in Houghton Lake last Friday on my way to a tackle show in Grayling! You'll find lots of tackle at yard sales around Houghton Lake in the summer, especially on holiday weekends..

The reels in my pictures didn't look like that when I bought them. Well, one did, but it cost twice as much as the other two combined. It's a matter of looking through the dirt and corrosion and knowing what can be done... and what can't.

[wrong99]

I love the reels with nice colored spacers, too. The finest I've ever seen, without question, is still the one-of-a-kind Bronson V.L.&A. Prototype, seen below.
Mark

[scottorock]

Nice double spacer reels, Jimbo! I love those reels. Mark, now that's an AWESOME reel! What is that, German Silver?

[wrong99]

Yes, solid German Silver and easily one of the most important reels in the decade prior to WWII. I was proud to own it for awhile and still wish I did. I'm friends with the owner, though, so I know it's in good hands.
Mark

[Mike N]

Kevin:

I think for many of us reel nuts, we first start collecting for the nostalgia factor--reels that we fished with as kids alongside our dads or granddads that bring back great memories.

If you catch the bug beyond that point, then like any collector of fine art or period furniture, you start to look at designs and forms of these little machines that "speak to you" the minute you see one.

Over 30 years my collecting interests have gone from mass-manufactured baitcasters, to Julius vom Hofe (NY) reels, to handmade Kentucky reels to (currently) tournament casting reels. Along the way, I've collected many other vintage fishing items as they showed up on tables at tackles shows or on eBay, including antique tackle boxes, wooden labled line spools, wooden bobbers, split shot tins, bamboo cane casting rods, and state fishing license badges from the 1920s to 1950s.

Along the way, I've also met a great group of people and lifelong friends. Good luck.

[mrbiggfish]

I am staying away from lures for now, stay to one addiction at a time. Some of the reels you guys show makes me want to cry they are so nice. I love looking at the old reel ads people sell I might get a few of those.
Kevin

[john elder]

Kevin, Like Mike, I have been sucked down the rabbit hole of collecting and have moved into places where it can get pretty pricey! However, it's important to realize that this hobby does not have to be expensive to be fun and there are a passel of super deals on interesting reels out there right now that won't bust your budget. I've been trying to thin down and focus for years, but recently stopped apologizing for collecting a totally diverse bunch of reels that I just happened to like at the moment.

I just bought a big collection chock full of interesting reels and almost all are less than $100, most are less than $50, and many are $10-30 pop, yet they all offer fun aspects for collecting. One of my favorites is this Yale reel with the figured side plates. It would fit into a number of collecting venues and is very well made:




Here are two reels that I had not paid any attention to in the past, but came to appreciate them when I picked them out of the pile and realized they were nickel silver, build strong enough to pull in a tarpon (if your knuckles could stand it) and run smooth as silk...two shakespeare Jupiters. These also demonstrate another collecting angle in that they are from different generations, with changes in the marking and model designations:




Yet another series of relatively inexpensive reels include this troika of Meisselbach reels...extremely well made, innovative and undervalued: Model 50 surf, Neptune and Meiss 75. There are so many more to keep your interest in this group...just ask Phil White and Roger Schulz, to name a couple ORCAns:



And one venue that you could like NEVER collect all of them and with rare exceptions, none are budget busters....that would be Montague reels. You can ask ORCAn Don Champion about that! Montague made such a diverse series of trade reels, most all of which lack their name....but don't let anyone tell you they are not high quality reels!




So have at it!

[mrbiggfish]

Mike those reels are beautiful. I have been watching and being selective about what I'm buying. I bought 4 so far , the first one a Daiwa Millionaire 5HS just because I had one when I was a teenager. A Pflueger Nobby no. 1963, Heddon Heritage MarkIII and a Winona 108.
I want to learn to take them apart and clean them. Maybe in another week or so I can buy the book on cleaning reels I saw on this site.
Kevin

[jimbofish]

Kevin While you're waiting to buy the book, spend a few days reading the "Cleaning and Restoration" forum. There's more than enough to get you started on the reels you already have.

BTW Is your Houghton Lake house permanent or seasonal?

[mrbiggfish]

I will check out the cleaning posts Jim, thanks.
Our house on Houghton Lake we keep open year round but usually up there every chance we get. I have been wanting to learn to ice fish , but I will have to buy a whole setup for it. My arthritis and carpal tunnel keep me from fishing for long periods of time. I love it up at Houghton Lake we have had the place a little over a year now.
Kevin

[Paul M]

John:
Those are some interesting reels, especially the Yale with the damascene style finish.

Paul M

[john elder]

Isn't that a kick, Paul! I guess i've turned into quite a snob and really expected that reel to be "tinny" and cheap...but it's a rock. You just have to have it in hand to appreciate how well it's made!

At risk of sounding like a car salesman, the reels shown (with the exception of the Imperial) are for sale as well as a passel of others that i need to give a cleaning before posting. So, if any of you see something of interest, give me a pm or email...deals abound!