Need An Education From All The Rebel Pop R Guru's

[TxHawgs]

So I'm have just made and about to purchase more Rebel Pop R's on Ebay. OK so original 1984 Pradco P 70 Lead One Knocker the holly grail. What yr did Pradco make them until 93? And the P 65 and P 60's pre 93 are they the lead One Knocker and same plastic as the 1984 P 70? It also looks like all the Pradco ones where made in Mexico, is that correct?  And in 94 they started being made somewhere else can't remember off the top of my head, El Salvador perhaps? So bottom line I want to buy any of the sizes 60 65 70 but want the Pradco lead ball one knockers. So up to what yr should I look for and made where? And I mentioned I have seen 93's that say Pradco and ones that dont. Not sure if Pradco sold out that yr so some are Pradco and some in that yr aren't? Any and all hope would be greatly appreciated, thanks guys!

[j bab]

Slow down there, it's kinda hard to understand most of what you just said without reading it a few times.

[Catt]

For questions concerning Rebel Lures consult @whitwolf

[Team9nine]

Former Bassmaster writer Michael Jones wrote that they were discontinued in 1985, but that it was possible to order a large lot direct from Pradco (some have mentioned a gross; a dozen dozen - 144) for a short period of time after.  I haven't measured or weighed mine, but will when I get the chance. I most commonly see 3-1/4" listed, but have also seen 3" and 3-1/8" in write-ups. No idea on location of manufacturing as i threw away all my old boxes. @whitwolf should know more.

[IndianaFinesse]

Not trying to highjack the thread, but what year did rebel stop making them out of wood?  I have a wooden magnum pop-r that I found, and it catches way more fish than the new plastic ones. 

[whitwolf]

@TxHawgs If you can give me a little time  I will try and answer your questions as thoroughly as possible.

[whitwolf]

TX, I will put together a response tomorrow evening. I have gathered what I could and know Is correct and talked to a pop r guy I know that shared some stuff also.

 

@IndianaFinesse  I'm 99.9% sure the pop r was never made of wood. I have a call into a buddy and waiting for him to confirm. 

 

[IndianaFinesse]

4 minutes ago, whitwolf said:

 

@IndianaFinesse  I'm 99.9% sure the pop r was never made of wood. I have a call into a buddy and waiting for him to confirm. 

 

Thanks for the info, I wonder what my popper is then if it isn't a pop-r.  Looks just like one, but i know it is made from wood cause there is a small chip out of the covering, exposing the wood.

[TxHawgs]

@whitwolf thank u very much for taking time out of your schedule to do this for me, I greatly appreciate it. 

[whitwolf]

@TxHawgs Here's just a small amount of Information. I'm in contact with a true P70 aficionado and he Is going to send me some Information. Here's what I know:

1. The one knocker(lead ball) Pop R's were made from '76-'78 and a special run In 1984. The P70 and P65 were the only pop r's with the lead. 

 

2. There are three sizes of the pop r: P70 is 3 1/8 the P65 is 3" and the P60 Is 2 1/2.  The P 60's had no ball or brass or stainless steel balls. They(Rebel) eventually went to stainless steel In all pop r's. I have no Idea why the decision was made to abandon the lead ball but hopefully my contact can provide that Information. 

 

3. Eventually Rebel(Pradco) started having their baits sent to El Salvador. The one Interesting thing about that. Rebel(Pradco) didn't have the pop r's completely made down there, they sent the  blanks to be painted. My personal opinion Is they did a great job with the paint. There are some really special colors from there. 

 

As for Pradco selling out the pop r. That simply Is NOT true. The Pop R Is an original Pradco design. I will add to this when I know more. 

[TxHawgs]

1 hour ago, whitwolf said:

@TxHawgs Here's just a small amount of Information. I'm in contact with a true P70 aficionado and he Is going to send me some Information. Here's what I know:

1. The one knocker(lead ball) Pop R's were made from '76-'78 and a special run In 1984. The P70 and P65 were the only pop r's with the lead. 

 

2. There are three sizes of the pop r: P70 is 3 1/8 the P65 is 3" and the P60 Is 2 1/2.  The P 60's had no ball or brass or stainless steel balls. They(Rebel) eventually went to stainless steel In all pop r's. I have no Idea why the decision was made to abandon the lead ball but hopefully my contact can provide that Information. 

 

3. Eventually Rebel(Pradco) started having their baits sent to El Salvador. The one Interesting thing about that. Rebel(Pradco) didn't have the pop r's completely made down there, they sent the  blanks to be painted. My personal opinion Is they did a great job with the paint. There are some really special colors from there. 

 

As for Pradco selling out the pop r. That simply Is NOT true. The Pop R Is an original Pradco design. I will add to this when I know more. 

Wow, amazing info ty so much. Lol I have never even seen a 76 to 78 Pop R. Just purchased two 84's. And a bunch of Pradco 93's thinking they might have the lead ball, ? If you, your buddy or anyone you and they may know wants to part with any please let me know. Oh one more thing, I guess none of the Excalibur Zell Rowland baits would of had the lead ball either correct? Thanks a ton!

[whitwolf]

@TxHawgs The Zell Rowland pop r's have either brass or stainless In them. 

 

As for finding 76-78 pop r's I might be able to put you In contact with some folks but I would be very surprised if they would let them go as they are serious collectors and or they use them to fish. 

 

The thing to keep In mind Is the older pop r's are in high demand and If In fact you do find some In the 76-78 range you will pay. But, the value Is up to the Individual and for me personally If there Is a bait I really want I will pay.

 

Again, when my buddy gets off vacation I should have more to share. 

 

Edit: I just a minute ago found out that Pradco has brought back the production of pop r's from China and they are being molded In Ft. Smith Arkansas and painted In Guatemala. 

[TxHawgs]

@whitwolf yea I knew Pradco recently released reproductions of the P70 correct? But it's not gonna be the plastic and lead ball which we both know is the difference and why they get big bucks for them. So you know in 84 Pradco made the P70 like the 76-78 ones with the lead ball. You can occasionally find them and they usually range from 50 to 70 dollars. So just a few days ago I received 2 P70's from 84 still in original boxes. Well after taking them out the one lead ball works so so in one and the other one you have to shake it very hard to move it and then it gets stuck. I'm really upset paid like 130 for the 2 of them. I don't know if after some use the lead ball will free up or? I imagine lead sitting in the plastic bait for 30 some yrs could oxidize or rust from humidity? Any thoughts or suggestions in regards to the lead ball? Is this just the risk you take purchasing something like this? My girlfriend says I should tell the guy I want my money back and return them as they don't function as they should. But I'm like babe they were sealed in the original package. So I'm not sure what to do.