Classic Daiwa reels - Just a few...

[Big-Bass]

Aside from fishing, I like collecting fishing tackle.  I have some older stuff but these reels were just super innovative for their times.  The SS Tournament SS1300 and SS700 I have are the original made in Japan models and the Procaster Tournament PT33C and PT33P (also made in Japan) were the cranking and "all-around" model and they also offered a PT33SH with a whopping 7.1:1 gear ratio at the time (1987-2005).  As most of you know, the SS Tournament is celebrating its 30th year in production this year...I don't know if there is an unchanged reel on the market that can match that.  Let's see some of your vintage stuff...Abu, Daiwa, Shimano, Lew's...I love the nostalgia...it reminds me of being little and checking out the BPS Master Catalog with my dad when it arrived in the mail.

 

 

[Columbia Craw]

Here's some vintage Lews.  

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

I have 3 of the SS Tournaments in 2 sizes.  Other than that my oldest Daiwa is a TD-X.  I have an Ambassadeur 5001C that is over 40 years old.  A 9' Fenwick rod is over 50 years old.  Made for fishing nightwalkers.

[Big-Bass]

That's awesome!  I have a BB-1 Shimano Lew's that is currently on display with some Iovino custom Ambassadeur reels (and a 1958-59 Ambassadeur 6000).  But that BB-1 caught me one of my biggest smallies ever (on an old speed stick and a Zorro Aggravator to complete the vintage outfit...that fish was caught in May, 2015).

[WRB]

I believe Daiwa's first reel was a spinning reel in 1965 followed a few years later by the Millionaire 5000 that look like the Abu Ambassador 5000. Lew Childre patented the low profile baitcasting reel and had Shimano make the original Lew's BB1. Ryobi made the Lew's BB1 when Shimano came out with their own Bantum 100 reel. You can thank Lew Childre for putting Shimano in the reel business.

Tom

[Big-Bass]

I know the Daiwa SM2A was touted by Bill Dance right around 1978-1980 to compete with the Bantam 100 and the earlier BB-1 reels.  I remember my father telling me he saved up like $69 at the time to buy a BB-1 in like 1976/77.

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, Big-Bass said:

I know the Daiwa SM2A was touted by Bill Dance right around 1978-1980 to compete with the Bantam 100 and the earlier BB-1 reels.  I remember my father telling me he saved up like $69 at the time to buy a BB-1 in like 1976/77.

 

I build a couple of reels from that platform for a guy.  We found part from old reels via ebay.  It was a fun build, and the reel was a screamer.

[rippin-lips]

4 hours ago, WRB said:

You can thank Lew Childre for putting Shimano in the reel business.

And then the student far surpassed the teacher. 

[Stalking bass]

On 12/19/2017 at 8:58 PM, Big-Bass said:

Aside from fishing, I like collecting fishing tackle.  I have some older stuff but these reels were just super innovative for their times.  The SS Tournament SS1300 and SS700 I have are the original made in Japan models and the Procaster Tournament PT33C and PT33P (also made in Japan) were the cranking and "all-around" model and they also offered a PT33SH with a whopping 7.1:1 gear ratio at the time (1987-2005).  As most of you know, the SS Tournament is celebrating its 30th year in production this year...I don't know if there is an unchanged reel on the market that can match that.  Let's see some of your vintage stuff...Abu, Daiwa, Shimano, Lew's...I love the nostalgia...it reminds me of being little and checking out the BPS Master Catalog with my dad when it arrived in the mail.

 

 

That diawa baicaster is the one I learned on. I was ten when my father taught me. That brought back alot of farm pond memories

[Big-Bass]

My dad taught me to use casting gear at about 7 or so.  He had Abu 4600 reels and a few Daiwa reels too!  That was like 1989.  He passed suddenly in 2015 at the age of 63 and man-oh-man do I miss him daily.  Enjoy your time with your dad if you still have it.  Glad to hear this post brought up good memories for some folks.  Best wishes on the water.

[Raul]

On 19/12/2017 at 7:58 PM, Big-Bass said:

Aside from fishing, I like collecting fishing tackle.  I have some older stuff but these reels were just super innovative for their times.  The SS Tournament SS1300 and SS700 I have are the original made in Japan models and the Procaster Tournament PT33C and PT33P (also made in Japan) were the cranking and "all-around" model and they also offered a PT33SH with a whopping 7.1:1 gear ratio at the time (1987-2005).  As most of you know, the SS Tournament is celebrating its 30th year in production this year...I don't know if there is an unchanged reel on the market that can match that.  Let's see some of your vintage stuff...Abu, Daiwa, Shimano, Lew's...I love the nostalgia...it reminds me of being little and checking out the BPS Master Catalog with my dad when it arrived in the mail.

 

 

 

Still got it, I did upgrade the drag since it was a lilttle bit sloppy, 31” IPT, Shimano makes great built like a tank reels, Daiwa makes great refined reels ( but does have the bad habit for being too “innovative” ). No wonder why it makes me difficult to purchase so I end up purchasing from both brands.

[Big-Bass]

Does anyone have an info on the SM2A?  When did it come out an how much did it retail for?  I have since sold my BB1 Shimano Lew's and picked up a mint BB1N made by Ryobi.  Hope all is well and best wishes on the water!

[J Francho]

I recall them being around $80-90.  The Team Daiwa's with the flip tops were around $120.  A Citica was $80, and a Curado B was $90, and I recall that $10 being a big deal in what to get.  Somewhere, I have a BPS catalog from '94, so that would be the time frame, I think.

[Big-Bass]

On 4/20/2020 at 12:03 PM, J Francho said:

I recall them being around $80-90.  The Team Daiwa's with the flip tops were around $120.  A Citica was $80, and a Curado B was $90, and I recall that $10 being a big deal in what to get.  Somewhere, I have a BPS catalog from '94, so that would be the time frame, I think.

I agree...does anyone have any more info on the OP?