Approximate release date(s) for Ryobi Powerful DX-1 or Daiwa 500c UL spinning reels?

[QED]

Looking to pick up period correct rods for these two reels but don't know when they were originally released or sold.  Late seventies or early eighties perhaps?  Any help would be much appreciated - thanks in advance.

[bulldog1935]

I wasn't sure on the Ryobi, so I asked my friend Tom who owns fiberglassflyrodders forum.  

He came back with mid-to late '80s on the Ryobi, so it would match an early graphite rod.  

 

The Daiwa 500c is late '70s, and it should likely be a glass rod.  
 

The 500c is also a choice reel for XUL threadlining, building an XUL spinning rod using a 3-wt fly rod blank, and fishing 2-lb nylon tippet for line and sub-gram lures.. Threadlining is pretty much the Original Finesse Fishing.  

Joe Robinson wrote a book on it, Piscatorial Absurdities, including his time with Dave Whitlock building threadlining rods and fishing this technique, when they weren't teaching or guiding fly rods.    

 

Here's my buddy Alex threadlining with his Daiwa 500c and XUL rod he built from fly blank

 

 

 

It was a good day for Alex, with several nice bass to hand.  

 

[Eric 26]

It would be cool to see some pictures if possible.

[QED]

12 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

It would be cool to see some pictures if possible.

Thanks for the info @bulldog1935!  You are a font of knowledge.

 

Daiwa 500c reel (2 lb test mono) with Fenwick 149 fiberglass rod. ~6.65 oz total weight - not bad for vintage gear!  The Ryobi is still awaiting a rod, so I'll post pictures later.

[bulldog1935]

that's a pretty perfect combo.  

If you want to see more, visit, and especially search the archive on FFR Another Spin page

 

gratuitous pre-Mitchell CAP and Cortland C2000 glass UL

 

Since Eric mentioned it below, here's the thread I started that mostly talks about antique tackle (and 20 years of sorting through it).  

You guys like the old stuff? - Fishing Rods, Reels, Line, and Knots - Bass Fishing Forums (bassresource.com)

Edited June 17, 2021 by bulldog1935

[Eric 26]

You got me thinking about a couple spinning reels I have. Neither are fancy, don’t know or care about the age of either. My brother passed them on to me about 25 years ago as I was getting back into fishing after a bit of a hiatus. I still enjoy breaking them out and they both still catch fish in spite of their looks.    Also not sure if you’ve seen the post “So you guys like the old stuff”  started by bulldog 1935 but it’s a good one?. Lastly that’s some beautiful gear you guys have there, can’t wait to see the Ryobi.

[QED]

Attached is a photo of an '80s Ryobi reel which I picked up with a Daiwa Regal Gold graphite ultralight rod.  The reel is a graphite touch and trip type which matches the rod provenance just fine.  Fishes great for vintage gear!

[PhishLI]

On 6/14/2021 at 4:30 PM, QED said:

Looking to pick up period correct rods for these two reels but don't know when they were originally released or sold.

I'm pretty sure I bought my 500c in late '78, or thereabouts. Mowed alot of lawns to buy it, and still have it.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I love my little daiwa mini mites got all mine from yard sales the last few yrs..was gonna buy  more on the bay ..but wow they aint cheap.do get smooth drags or carbontex for any of these tiny  reels drags are main upgrade ..

[ShakeyJake]

The Ryobi powerful dx no.1 was my first reel I ever bought; it was 1979. I was 16 at the time,

[QED]

8 hours ago, ShakeyJake said:

The Ryobi powerful dx no.1 was my first reel I ever bought; it was 1979. I was 16 at the time,

I think I picked up mine in the 80s and fished it so often that the bails and bail springs would snap and fail, which was a weak spot on an otherwise brilliant reel.  Tossed it when replacement parts were no longer available.

[ShakeyJake]

Yeah, my bail spring gave out a few years ago, had to make my own.  It works, but not as good, great little work horse for a small reel pulled in a 3.5-pound Largemouth with it and a boat load of crappies and white bass over the years.