Take a look at this spinning rod,

I still have a Shimano Custom X reel with the quick fire trigger. Now I like spin reels without this feature.

I have a quantum with a trigger from back in the day. Nice for teaching spinning reels, but just for learning. In my experience they're prone to loops and wind knots because the trigger makes you reel the bail closed.

I used to use those all the time. It brings the line roller back to the top. Pulling the trigger opens the bail and holds the line for you. It has nothing to do with closing the bail. Using the reel handle to close the bail does not cause loops and birds nests. Make sure your line is tight with no loose loops before closing the bail, either by closing by hand or cranking the handle, you will minimize birds nests.

Yep - my old Abu Cardinal 562 has that setup.I might throw some line on it, mount it on my ancient Daiwa 1312 ML rod, and take it out....just for nostalgia's sake...I did catch a lot of fish on that rig.

I have the old Mitchell 440 Ottomatic.

Pretty cool operation - push on the closed bail with your grip index finger, the bail opens.

(also works with your free hand)

Push the other way, it closes.

Only 70s Mitchell that would let you use manual-bail technique.

I had quite a few of those back in the day. Got away from them.

Hated that the reel could "back up" when fighting a fish.

Yup! I still have 3 old spinners with the trigger, Shimano BX15, Custom X 2000 and a Shakespeare Sigma whisker titan. All.rear drag. I really enjoyed them.

My dad had the otto matic, he loved that mitchell! ( I have his 300 from the '60's)

Only thing my wife would fish.

I fished a Shimano trigger reel for a few years many moons ago, I liked it and had no issues with it. It’s possible I still have it somewhere.

I have 2 of the Spirex reels for panfish, and i am not really a fan of the trigger but they are a decent reel. I now mostly use a Daiwa Exceler 1000 for those white bass and crappie.

I used the Shimano “quick fire” Spirex reel for many years. Just this year it gave up the ghost when the trigger arm and bail latch broke internally. I couldn’t repair it cheaper than buying another one.

So I bought a new Vanford 2500 😜

No one has commented on that rod, that grip. I never seen that style spinning rod handle. That reel & advertisement is 1987 I believe, anyone use something like the rod itself?

31 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

No one has commented on that rod, that grip. I never seen that style spinning rod handle. That reel & advertisement is 1987 I believe, anyone use something like the rod itself?

No, but that might be why they got out of the fishing business and into tools.

That rod is definitely unique…..it almost looks like it on backwards.

If you mount a baitcaster on the other side, the cast button would be where your thumb could have easy acces.

There's really not much different about the grip - except it has a pistol-type butt, and the ferruled-butt rod blade is offset. The offset is to get the spool closer aligned with the rod guides.

Casting rod separate grip and rod blade, the offset is to reduce spool thumb reach on a round reel.