Anybody fish with "vintage" gear?

I have an antique lure collection mostly centered around the 50-60's era and also have rods & reels from the same era. I don't fish with most of that gear but I do occasionally wield an old bamboo fly rod while standing in a river. I recently got a new yet old school fiberglass fly rod as they have made a bit of a comeback.
 
Uh oh. I just bought another Penn 85 SeaBoy.
When does it end?
 
protourist said:
Uh oh. I just bought another Penn 85 SeaBoy.
When does it end?
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I picked up this 109 a couple months ago. I'm not well versed in the Penn reels yet. I've mostly focused on the old Mitchells.
How does your 85 compare in size ?

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I haven't used these, but they are two of the latest additions to my small Mitchell collection...

Early production (1958) 314 Super Cap...

IMG_20160705_183859494_zpsgahorh3y.jpg


This one is an unusual find in the U.S... It's a 300 that was made for marketing in Germany. The German reels were the only ones to have the Grouse engraved on the side...

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protourist said:
The 85 is quite a bit larger. The 109 is a great little reel. I put one on a rod for Karen to use for salmon/steelhead. Truth be told, I should really use it but I like bigger stuff.

http://store.scottsbt.com/PennParts/ReelSpecs/PennPeer.aspx
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That's good to hear. I was hoping it would be good for that, in case I decide to do a new setup for steelhead/salmon...
Thanks for the link. I've been looking for a website with that kind of info. Lookin forward to seeing a picture of your new reel.
 
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I don't think she's been used. I spooled her up with 80lb dacron backing and 40lb trilene. She will be catching salmon.
Why am I fighting photobucket so much lately?
 
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protourist said:
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I don't think she's been used. I spooled her up with 80lb dacron backing and 40lb trilene. She will be catching salmon.
Why am I fighting photobucket so much lately?
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That's cool... It sure doesn't look like it has seen much use. PB has been a POS for the last week or so for me. Not sure why.
 
PB? Same here, can't upload from my phone...

Another oldie

Shimano Brush Buster Flipping reel.
No level wind.
Can't cast with it.
Lots of tension when you strip off line to flip.
The Fighting Drag switch locks out the drag and makes it direct drive.
IIRC it holds about 50 yards of 17 lb test line.
 
I got these from my Grandpa decades ago. He was a design engineer for Johnson Motor Co. in Indiana and Illinois. Started in '20 and retired in '59. Fond memories of him. Caught my largest black bass on an old Heddon Vamp lure he used to use on Muskie and pike.


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BFS said:
I got these from my Grandpa decades ago. He was a design engineer for Johnson Motor Co. in Indiana and Illinois. Started in '20 and retired in '59. Fond memories of him. Caught my largest black bass on an old Heddon Vamp lure he used to use on Muskie and pike.


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Those are very cool... The old stuff has so much more personality than the new stuff does...

I picked up another Penn 109 today. This one has maroon side covers and green knobs on the handle. I don't think it had been used for years...
Absolutely no rust, no chips and no cracks. Just about 1/2 inch of dust lol :D I just finished spending about 1 1/2 hours cleaning it, and she looks like new.
 
Brings back memories. The first reel I had as a kid for saltwater was a conventional reel that had a leather pad attached to the reels cross post which acted as the drag. No drags in those reels; to apply drag/pressure on a fish you pushed the leather pad into the line with your thumb.
 
Ebbtide said:
BFS, those are some treasures right there!
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I agree. Thank you.

I have his gold Hamilton pocket watch awarded to him too. Also in the original box. It's inscribed:
"For 15 years of loyalty and work well done. Johnson Motor Company 1935."
 
Ebbtide said:
PB? Same here, can't upload from my phone...

Another oldie

Shimano Brush Buster Flipping reel.
No level wind.
Can't cast with it.
Lots of tension when you strip off line to flip.
The Fighting Drag switch locks out the drag and makes it direct drive.
IIRC it holds about 50 yards of 17 lb test line.
Click to expand...

Ha! The 80's/90's fads even hit the fishing market! I remember seeing those, "the reel that didn't." Pretty much could strap it to a piece of 1" pipe and just winch them out of the weeds.


-X
 
yup... flippin' was a brand new concept. Before that most every LMB rod was 5'6" and had a pistol grip.
I tell ya, it was pretty tough when your "Prime co-filiment" fishing line had some small spool memory and you were flipping with a slinky.
 
Today we went to a small tackle store about 30 miles from our house. It has been the source of quite a few good buys lately, and
this time proved the same...
He had a DAM Quick 330N Finessa reel in the original box with all paperwork, spare spool, spool arbors and spare parts baggie that it came with.
The box isn't pristine, but everything else is...

I took the reel out of the box, and noticed the bail wouldn't catch, and the spool wouldn't spin. I was sure I knew what was wrong with the bail, and figured
the spool couldn't be a huge issue, so after I told the guy what was wrong with it, he asked if I thought I could fix it, and I said I'm sure I can. Might
take a little time though... He says, hows 10 bucks ? Yeah, I think that will work :D

So, after we got home, I pulled the spool so I could get to the bail spring and put a little oil on it, and cycled it about 20 times and it works perfect.
On to the spool... Someone had put line on it, but I think for some reason they didn't put the brass washer back on under the spool when they
put it together because it didn't work right and the reel is absolutely flawless. I put the washer back on the shaft, installed the spool and it works like
a Swiss watch :D I got so excited about working on it, I haven't even taken any pictures yet...

My wife has a couple of these old DAM reels, and they are very well made. It was made in West Germany in the 1950's.
I'm thinking I will put some line on it and take it fishing soon. It's spent its life in a box, and I think it is ready to go fishing :D
 
DAM Quick Finessa was a heck of a reel series. As good a gearing as any reel, better than most. I love the black crinkle camera type finish. The N series, like your 330N,were made in the 70's, I sold a lot of them. We used to have one on the counter at the shop that had a clear plastic side plate so you could watch the gearing work. The adjustable bail trip tension in the series was a real good idea that no one else has had that I can think of. I still have a little 110N somewhere and this thread will get me to go looking for it! I have a Silaflex Ultra Lite rod leaning in the corner that needs a partner!
 
B JACKSON said:
DAM Quick Finessa was a heck of a reel series. As good a gearing as any reel, better than most. I love the black crinkle camera type finish. The N series, like your 330N,were made in the 70's, I sold a lot of them. We used to have one on the counter at the shop that had a clear plastic side plate so you could watch the gearing work. The adjustable bail trip tension in the series was a real good idea that no one else has had that I can think of. I still have a little 110N somewhere and this thread will get me to go looking for it! I have a Silaflex Ultra Lite rod leaning in the corner that needs a partner!
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I really like the black crinkle finish too. It looks great, and doesn't show all the little scuffs and scrapes. They really did do a great job with these.
Very simple, but very smooth and strong... The adjustable bail trip tension is a great idea, and I can't believe nobody else did something similar.
Maybe they did and I just don't know about it.

Just curious but do you remember how much they sold for when they were new ? I have read that they were more expensive than other brands.
My wifes are regular 330's, not the 330N Finesse model, but still great reels.
Funny you mention the 110, I have two on my watch list on the auction site :D I'm thinking a 110 and a 220 would be nice.

I will post pictures tomorrow. I got busy and forgot, and it's dark out now, and my indoor pictures don't usually come out very good...
 
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