My partner hooked what he said was fishing line yesterday and I pulled the boat to it and retrieved a rod, reel and a spinner bait.  The reel was a Lews Classic Pro and the rod was a Dobyns 7'2" MH.  I cleaned, degreased and relubed the spool bearings and tried it out on another rod.  For a $60 reel I was impressed; it's smooth and casts really good.  I just wonder how it'll last.  I guess I'll ask him next year.  The rod felt pretty light for a MH to me.

Back many years ago while smallie fishing on the Big "D" I had a similar situation happen. I hand lined it in and it was a Charlie Brewer Spinning Setup. It was not really in the water that long because it was in excellent shape. I cleaned it thoroughly and fished it a bit. One day I gave it to a kid fishing at the ramp area with a real POS, made his day.

Over the years we've found a rod in the river, a Zebco 202, and a Abu Garcia 3600 Black Max round reel.

I got the last rig we found several years ago, a BassPro Extreme rod and Shimano reel.  I had to put a new handle on the rod and am still using it for my buzzbait rod.  Caught my PB bass on it a couple of years ago, 6-11.

 

Last time I was out in the canoe, saw something floating. Current/wind was pushing it towards me, so  waited.

 

Dead bass on a hook, bright orange bobber. Pulled up the line and retrieved a 13 Snitch/Decent ice combo. I put a notice up on the local Next-Door board in lost-and-found the same day...no one's claimed it.

19 hours ago, Alex from GA said:

I got the last rig we found several years ago, a BassPro Extreme rod and Shimano reel.  I had to put a new handle on the rod and am still using it for my buzzbait rod.  Caught my PB bass on it a couple of years ago, 6-11.

 

I love those old Green Extreme Rods.  The "Power Hump" fits my hand well and I just enjoy fishing  with them.

Nice rod you and your friend found. Throughout the years I have found many nice rods, reels, and other fishing equipment while diving and fishing.