What to do with old reels and rods?

[bholt91]

Hi all! I work for a large nonprofit that focuses on outdoor activities that includes fishing. We recently received a large donation of donated rods and reels from a large retailer we all know( I am assuming from their spring classic sale where you donated a reel/rod and the got money off a new purchase). I went through a box of reels and separated the usable stuff (there were some great stuff in there! Thank you for those that donated good reels!) but now stuck with 60+ reels that are broken and/or very old and not worth effort to fix or junk to begin with. I hate to throw them away but don’t know of anything else to do. I have yet to go through the rods but there are easily 50+ and I have no idea what our other location received that I will be going through as well. 
 

any suggestions? 

[QED]

For the cost of taking photos and taking time to post them on the large auction site, you can probably convert the items to a small amount of cash for your nonprofit org from buyers that need replacement parts or the like.  I don't know the opportunity cost of your time, so you may conclude that it is better to just toss them, which is fine too.

[papajoe222]

I'd contact a reel repair shop and see if they'd be interested in taking them off your hands. I doubt if they'd offer much, but at least you wouldn't be tossing them.

[MN Fisher]

^ What Papa said...reel repair shops occasionally get in reels for repair that they can't get parts for. Having an influx of old reels they could use for parts would help their business.

 

Your non-profit gets some cash, the repair shop replenishes their supply of parts for old reels...win-win.

[ATA]

I always Gift mine to kids and sometime gift them to a fishing buddy that not really standing good financially. sometimes also I put them up for sale in the internet(more expensive ones). so try to give away to kids few each time you going fishing,

right now I am looking for some telescopic or 4pcs rods and spinning reels to send to philippines to a kid that love fishing but have no fishing tackle. I might buy the rod and reel for him. 

[Eric 26]

10 hours ago, ATA said:

I always Gift mine to kids and sometime gift them to a fishing buddy that not really standing good financially. sometimes also I put them up for sale in the internet(more expensive ones). so try to give away to kids few each time you going fishing,

right now I am looking for some telescopic or 4pcs rods and spinning reels to send to philippines to a kid that love fishing but have no fishing tackle. I might buy the rod and reel for him. 

Although I’ve not personally used them, the Kastking compass telescoping rods get good reviews even on this site.  They’re $55.99 for the combo on Amazon.

[Eric 26]

My thoughts are if you know it’s unusable or garbage toss it. If it’s questionable I agree with seeing about a rod/reel repair shop maybe you can get a couple bucks towards your nonprofit and everyone benefits. If the gear is useable but low end (not worth the parts) reach out to a boys and girls club i.e ymca, church group who might only go fishing once or twice a year. Good luck.

[Bankc]

Don't throw them away.  That's unnecessary garbage in the land fill and someone else can make use of it.  

 

Option 1:  Sell them for parts on that auction site.  It'll take forever to photograph and list them individually, so sell them in batches.  Just take a picture of something like ten reels, and list them as broken/for parts.  Don't go into heavy detail or mess with tons of pictures.  Start them off cheap and let the auction determine if they're worth more. 

 

Option 2:  Find a local reel repair shot to donate them to.  If one of your current rods or reels ever needs repair, you now have a friend in the business who might be willing to return the favor.

 

Option 3:  List them on Craigslist or Facebook, and list them as broken/for parts in batches or as the whole group.  Ask for some money if you want, or give them away for free if you'd rather them be gone quickly.  

[Seher]

On 7/15/2021 at 11:40 PM, bholt91 said:

Hi all! I work for a large nonprofit that focuses on outdoor activities that includes fishing. We recently received a large donation of donated rods and reels from a large retailer we all know( I am assuming from their spring classic sale where you donated a reel/rod and the got money off a new purchase). I went through a box of reels and separated the usable stuff (there were some great stuff in there! Thank you for those that donated good reels!) but now stuck with 60+ reels that are broken and/or very old and not worth effort to fix or junk to begin with. I hate to throw them away but don’t know of anything else to do. I have yet to go through the rods but there are easily 50+ and I have no idea what our other location received that I will be going through as well. 
 

any suggestions? 

I work for a nonprofit in cumming Georgia and some of our guys are looking for donated rods reels and other fishing equipment if you could reach out if really appreciate it!!!

[RNSkeeter]

Any chance you could share the non-profit or in DM?

[Chris Catignani]

New Life Lodge in Burns TN is a detox to rehab facility that has a fishing program for patients.

Not-profit. (866) 810-6376 

 

[WRB]

Reels , make list. Some of the legacy or pre 2000 Abu Ambassadors have value for parts. 

Rods are expensive to ship so local online pick up sites is the way to go. 

One mans trash is another’s treasure, you never know.

Tom