Retro combos

[bulldog1935]

In the '80s, Lew's BB-1xx was the top baitcast reel, and Penn 4xxZ was the top spinning reel. 

I hope this thing is on. 

Falcon rods were new and king.

 

 

I practically lived in Academy then - it was Only in Austin. 

[tholmes]

Mitchell 301 and Garcia Conolon 6.5' light action rod.

Ryobi AD 4000V

 

Daiwa Millionaire 5H

 

After these, It's been mostly Ambassadeur round reels.

 

Tom

[Yuddzy]

An early Shimano Bantam and rod of your choice would be good. I'm not sure if the 1980 model still had these snazzy wooden handles or not?

(Not a picture of my own reel, unfortunately)

[bulldog1935]

I couldn't get parts for my Millionaire 6H in 1984, which was bought new at Oshman's close-out in 1978. 

Certainly Mitchell and Conolon is a '70s combo. 

'80s is graphite rods. 

I fished through my first Mitchell 300 by 1975. 

Even my collectible Mitchel 440A Ottomatic and Conolon is mid-70s. 

Which, btw, is the only Mitchell with manual-bail capability. 

 

I looked it up - 1986 saw the end of all Mitchell 300 series reels. 

https://mitchellreelmuseum.com/list-of-all-mitchell-reels-1939-1989/

 

If the OP's request and date doesn't matter, real retro is the NLW reels of the ninteen-teens.  No reel could out-cast them until Lew's Speed Spool BB-1N

[CrashVector]

On 5/7/2022 at 4:30 AM, rangerjockey said:

Back then the More popular rods were, Allstar, Fenwick and Lews . That was about the time graphite was the new thing and guys broke them like pick up sticks.  

Fuji made the Lews rods.

 Lews and Abu were the most popular reels . Shimano and Ryobi made the Lew's reels ,,and there may have been a third company

 

I've decided to go with a Browning boron pistol grip rod.  Mostly bc it was my dad's and he used it in the early-mid 80's.

 

Now...just gotta decide on and then find a reel.

 

My first baitcaster was some old daiwa that my father snagged out the river while catfishing ironically.  Early 80's...my dad said it was expensive.  It was made for bass fishing.  He ordered all the replacement parts in a catalog and rebuilt it.  I wore that reel out.

 

I've been watching old retro bass fishing shows on YouTube to try and help me decide which reel to try and track down.

4 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

I couldn't get parts for my Millionaire 6H in 1984, and it was bought new at Oshman's close-out in 1978. 

Certainly Mitchell and Conolon is a '70s combo. 

'80s is graphite rods. 

I fished through my first Mitchell 300 by 1975. 

Even my collectible Mitchel 440A Ottomatic and Conolon is mid-70s. 

Which, btw, is the only Mitchell with manual-bail capability. 

 

I looked it up - 1986 saw the end of all Mitchell 300 series reels. 

https://mitchellreelmuseum.com/list-of-all-mitchell-reels-1939-1989/

 

If the OP's request and date doesn't matter, real retro is the NLW reels of the ninteen-teens.  No reel could out-cast them until Lew's Speed Spool BB-1N

 

 

NLW?  Explain pls...that looks awesome

[PourMyOwn]

4 hours ago, CrashVector said:

 

I've decided to go with a Browning boron pistol grip rod.  Mostly bc it was my dad's and he used it in the early-mid 80's.

 

Now...just gotta decide on and then find a reel.

 

My first baitcaster was some old daiwa that my father snagged out the river while catfishing ironically.  Early 80's...my dad said it was expensive.  It was made for bass fishing.  He ordered all the replacement parts in a catalog and rebuilt it.  I wore that reel out.

 

I've been watching old retro bass fishing shows on YouTube to try and help me decide which reel to try and track down.

 

 

NLW?  Explain pls...that looks awesome

Ryobi V Mag 4s are a good choice, they aren't obscenely expensive and cast well. They can usually be found for <30 dollars on that auction site.

[bulldog1935]

9 hours ago, CrashVector said:

NLW?  Explain pls...that looks awesome

Non-Level Wind

that's a 1914 Talbot on a 1914 FE Thomas cane rod. 

The rod has two blades, tube, original taffeta sock and hang-tag filled out by Fred. 

The reels that stand out from this period are Meek, Shakespeare, and Talbot. 

 

 

Your reel choice seems pretty straightforward - a Browning-marked Lew's BB1. 

Searching Lews Browning on ebay turns up a full page, ranging from the small LM with mag, and ranging from near-mint to boat rash. 

I bought this reel in 1984 and fished it until 2015. Along the way, replaced the handle, bearings, and 2 A/R dogs. 

[WRB]

My 80’s rods were Custom graphite 6’10” Trigger Sticks by Lamiglas using ABU Ambassador 2500C’s* and 4500C’s.

Phenix 6’6” boron with Shimano Bantam 1000 and Ryobi AD4000V reels. Line was Berkley Big Game or Trilene XT.

Spinning was Zebco ABU Cardinal 4 and Daiwa TD 1500 with Maxima 5 & 8 on UG .

Gave up pistol grip casting rods in the 70’s.

Tom

* tuned 2500C w/Smooth Drag is amazing reel.

[MRG]

If you are looking for real 80s retro gear, Mitchells, original Cardinals and Ambassadors are not what you want. These reels were out long before the 80s - the Mitchell 300 was introduced during the post war era of the late 1940s!

 

I retired my Mitchell 300/Conolon rod in the early 80s and moved on the the Abu Garcia 753 & 754 reels mated with Berkley Lightning rods (back when they were considered high end). The 753/754 were OK, but not that great so I soon moved on the the reintroduced Japanese Cardinal 3 & 4  reels. They had a few quirks but overall were very good reels. I still keep them maintained and fish them occasionally just for old times sake.

 

Then I was turned on to Shimano by a friend... and I've been a Shimano fan boy since. I soon bought various Bantam/Magnumlite GTX & Speedmaster casting rods and reels. Now, I'm sure others will disagree, but in my opinion, I really think Shimano was years ahead of their competition during this period. It was during this time Shimano rose to where they are today. I still keep some of my 80 Shimano gear in operating condition and enjoy taking them out on occasion.

 

I had a few other non-Shimano combos during this time. One that is still in the garage is my Ryobi T1 and Berkley Series one rod. This was a pretty slick combo at one time. I don't fish this one any more, the gears go too rough for me. Nonetheless, the T1 was a very innovative reel.

 

Anyway... there's my .02