Skip to content

Your Oldest Reel.

Featured Replies

What's your oldest reel?

Mine is a 4 year old shimano Sedona( nothin special)

What's yours?....

  • Super User

My oldest reel now is my Curado 200B series. Kicks ass, it was one of the reels I learned to use baitcasters.

Shimano sahara 2500

  • Super User

Langley Lure Cast 330 was my 1st reel I saved enough money to buy in 1955, still have it!

Tom

  • Super User

Ted Williams 400 - 1959:

 

gallery_25379_1107_742711.jpg

 

I still take it out about once a year - catch a fish with it on its 60s-vintage solid-glass rod, then put it back on the rack.  It still works, catches fish - usually about the same size bass as I caught with it when it was new... :lol:

 

gallery_25379_576_234131.jpg

  • Global Moderator

I have an old Pfluegar levelwind that still has the multicolored silk line on it that's mounted on an old steel casting rod. I actually tried to fish with it one day just to see what it was like. Having to pull line off the reel to cast, the whippy rod, and the 1:1 gear ratio makes a Zebco 33 look like a top of the line combo. 

  • Super User

My oldest reel is 105 years old. It's a Meisselbach Takapart 480. Manufactured in 1909.

 

post-28623-0-02726800-1418644062_thumb.j

 

post-28623-0-70442700-1418644092_thumb.j

 

Hootie

 

  • Super User

Shimano Bantum Magnumlite 30 years old

Shakespeare Wondereel Model 1920 manufactured in 1951. 

 

The oldest one still in use is an ABU 5000C from 1972.

 

Tom

  • Super User

Have a Ted Williams baitcaster from Sears in the 70s. Made in Japan, back when that was worse than being made in China.

  • Super User

My oldest reel is 105 years old. It's a Meisselbach Takapart 480. Manufactured in 1909.

 

attachicon.gif20141215_033852.jpg

 

attachicon.gif20141215_033920.jpg

 

Hootie

 

Hey Hootie - I got my Ted Williams 400 spinning reel new in 1959. How about you, did you get that reel new or used................................................. :lol:

  • Super User

Hey Hootie - I got my Ted Williams 400 spinning reel new in 1959. How about you, did you get that reel new or used................................................. :lol:

Bought it new, back in....well, let's see now...lol. Actually picked it up at a flea market sometime in the mid 70's.

Hootie

  • Super User

Oldest baitcast reel is an Ambassadeur 5001C over 30 years old.  Would have to look at my old spinning reels to take a guess as to which would be the oldest.  Probably at least 10-20 years older than the Abu.

  • Super User

75 yr old abu still use it also rough lookin reel but rollin like new inside

  • Super User

It's an old Pflueger "SilkCast":

 

Pflueger_1.jpg

  • Super User

post-28623-0-16337600-1418657340_thumb.j

 

Left to right, Pflueger Trump, Akron, Skilcast, and Summit.

 

Hootie

  • Super User

75 yr old abu still use it also rough lookin reel but rollin like new inside

 

No doubt that Records/Ambassadeurs can last a long time :thumbsup:  I'm wondering, however, if you rounded UP to get to that 75 years number... ;)

 

Significant Abu Garcia Milestones (from http://www.abugarcia.com/Our-History/AbuGarcia-our-history,default,pg.html )
  • 1921 – AB Urfabriken is founded as a watch factory in Svängsta, Sweden
  • 1941 – The first Abu Garcia fishing reel, the ABU Record® is introduced
  • Super User

My oldest reels in operation are:

 

Abu Garcia Cardinal Ultracast 62

Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 521 XLT Plus

Abu Garcia Ambassadeur XLT Plus

Abu Garcia Ambassadeur XLT Scyncro.

My dad bought me a shimano bantam in 1993...it kicked my butt. Sold it a week later

In late 2002 i bought a calcutta 251( i consider it my first bc)...i still use it today for crankbaits. Ironically i caught my PB bass with that reel in 2003

I will never part with that gem...it is still my only round bc

I almost dare say it launch any lure in the 1/4 to 1/2 class as most reels on the market today and it performs just like when it was new

  • Super User

My dad bought me a shimano bantam in 1993...it kicked my butt. Sold it a week later

In late 2002 i bought a calcutta 251( i consider it my first bc)...i still use it today for crankbaits. Ironically i caught my PB bass with that reel in 2003

I will never part with that gem...it is still my only round bc

I almost dare say it launch any lure in the 1/4 to 1/2 class as most reels on the market today and it performs just like when it was new

Calcutta = Best reel ever made!

My oldest, and first, baitcaster is an Ambassadeur 5601 C4 I bought in late 2001 or early 2002 (can't remember exactly). Learned to fish baitcasting gear with it (obviously) and still have it today. I "tuned" it last year just for fun, haven't fished with it much since moving on to low pro reels. It's stupid fast now with all the upgrade parts and bearings, actually it's pretty difficult to get a handle on. I really have to pay attention now when using it. With lures 1/2 oz and up I can get some really impressive (to me at least) distance. 

 

Not long after becoming a fan of casting gear I moved on to a Shimano Chronarch A, still have it as well. It was my first low pro. I've also done a few upgrades to it as well. Seriously considering getting an Avail spool for it. 

 

Both reels still perform great and can hang with my newer generation reels as long as the lure weights stay around the 3/8 to 1/2 oz and up mark.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.