Uses for old fishing rods? Browning Boron and Shimano Speed Master

[tstraub]

Last fall my Father-in-law was cleaning out his barn and gave me a pile of old fishing rods and reels.  Most were just old low cost combos that will be good enough for the kids to use but nothing special. He told me that these 2 rods were fairly expencive rods back in the 80's when he got them.  I took them out last year but the reels he had mounted on them were pretty worn out bearing were screaming and casting distance was not up to par.  Over the winter I  upgraded the reels on some of my other gear so I have extra reels to put these rods into service if they are any good.  So What do you guys think are they keepers or not.  If they are keepers what lures and techniques are these short pistol grip rods good for.

Rod 1 Browning Boron Model 112902 length 5' 6" pistol grip

Rod 2 Shimano SpeedMaster Fightin' Rod model SW-1552 medium action pistol grip

 

Thanks

Tyler

[largemouth01]

I love the old boron rods, i've fished with my uncle's BPS boron rods and its really fun, as for the speed master i have an old spinning rod from my dad and i still use it on smaller ponds around me! Hope you read up on these two cool products, best wishes.

[Paul Roberts]

Good rods they were. Still functional.

[tstraub]

Thank you for the replies.  I did put reels on them that I had laying around.  An abu silver max on the boron rod and an H2O xpress mettle on the Speed Master.  Then my 14 year old son and I took them in the yard and threw some practice plugs around.  I really like the way that boron rod loads up on the cast. It won't chuck a plug as far as my 7 foot *** but for short to medium range casting it was pretty impressive.  The speed master casts well too.

 

[Paul Roberts]

Read the recent pistol grip thread. It'll give you fun ideas on uses. I now only have one pistol grip rod -a Skyline- but it is fun.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The older rods tend to have slower actions but a little trial and error should find a niche for them. 

[FloridaFishinFool]

I started a thread on pistol grip rods because I grew up with them and used them for many years. And due to a recent injury have gotten back into using them because of the ease of using them, more like a wand in your hand and so easy to use. I am now expanding my collection of pistol  grip rods and modifying some old ones with new guides and spiral wrapping them.

Just today I was asking on that thread about boron rods and what are they like???

I really enjoy using the old pistol grip rods.

I see that today people are going for longer, and longer rods, but you know, those rod lengths are actually working against the fisherman as far as leverage is concerned. A shorter rod is actually an advantage to the fisherman and his muscles while a longer rod is working against the fisherman.

We see this in action with a lot of salt water rods today used for some really big fish are actually only 6 feet long or less to fight huge marlin with for example because a human just does not have the muscle strength to fight a marlin on an 8 foot rod or longer. The leverage is just too great against the human in the fish's favor.

The same holds true for the old pistol grip rods. They are shorter, but easier to use all the way around and most users of them swear they are far more accurate when casting.

As for the boron rods, I have never used one, but on ebay they are going for $250.00. I can only wonder why?

You asked are they keepers? That is up to you. Compare and judge for yourself. Take a read on what others have to say about them and their uses:

 

I'd be thanking him for both of those rods!

[tstraub]

Thanks for the replies.  I'll definantly be reading threw that thread.  Now I'm getting excited for the upcoming season can't wait for the ice to thaw so I can give these old rods a try.  They are both is well used but completly fishable condition. the guides are all still straight and securely attached.

Tyler  

[PourMyOwn]

I keep a 5'6" pistol grip boron BPS rod with a Rattle trap tied on in my car ar all times. It's nice to hop out of the car and get in a few casts on a stressful day.

[MidwestFishing]

I still use pistol grip rods for fishing close quarters and from small boats and canoes. I find close quarter casting is more accurate with the short pistol grips.

[aquaholik]

My very first baitcasting combo back in 1987. 8lb Trilene XL, 1/4 ounce oldham weedless jig head and three inch Kalin grubs murdered the San Diego spotted bay bass as well as the juvenile California Halibut to 8lbs. Too much sentimental value to give it up. Now this thread has given me a great idea. Going to resurrect the rod for Sheepshead duty.

 

[Fishes in trees]

I have a few old pistol grips rods that are "retired."   I think that the pistol grip rods are great for top water walking baits, HOWEVER, over time they turn into  "wrist killers" for me.  20 minutes of throwing top waters with the pistol grip rod and I don't feel like throwing topwaters for a while.  I have a 5'9" straight handle rod that I like better for that duty.