All Star Classic Rod Made in USA

[Alex Ball]

   I recently acquired an All Star Classic Graphite GT2 6'6" casting rod. I just opened a table at a flea market and I'm trying to get a date and fair price to put on it. It's pretty close to mint. 

    I'd appreciate any information. I'm having trouble finding info on it. 

[bulldog1935]

GT2 implies IM6 (40M modulus) - probable date, late '80s, early '90s.  

During that time, Academy had a falling out with Falcon, and their rod inventory across the board was replaced with All Star, which spread this brand across Academy's spreading range.  

As an aside, I used to shop at the 1st Academy, 45th St. in Austin, when it was still an Army Surplus Store, with a few pegboards of Cheap tackle.  

[Alex Ball]

2 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

GT2 implies IM6 (40M modulus) - probable date, late '80s, early '90s.  

During that time, Academy had a falling out with Falcon, and their rod inventory across the board was replaced with All Star, which spread this brand across Academy's spreading range.  

As an aside, I used to shop at the 1st Academy, 45th St. in Austin, when it still an Army Surplus Store, with a few pegboards of Cheap tackle.  

It's one of the made in USA versions. I figured it was 89-94 based on the shockingly little I found. No Houston tag, so not earlier than 89. That's all I really know. 

   It might end up a personal rod. It's definitely heavy by current standards, but it feels good. It'll throw everything I have that has a treble hook. I like a more moderate rod for football jigs, so check that box. Graphite, not glass. Check. 

    I'm always looking for the "One" Rod. Something I can take on my bank excursions and cover all my bases. This one definitely has a chance. 

    If I change the guides to more modern ones, does that affect the value negatively? I like to do that on pre 08-10 rods because that particular technology took a quantum leap around that time. 

   Definitely a nice rod. My customer base is mostly old school, so this one seems to be a good option for selling. Still..... LoL, I might keep it. 

[bulldog1935]

I still love IM6, Fisher and Powell fly rods, spinning - Loomis GL2, and I can't get past my Crowder IM6 - I can count the fish advantage over later, faster (lighter) rods, especially fishing jerkbait.  

[Alex Ball]

11 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

 

Thanks again for the Cetus recommendation. I love that reel. Anytime other people see it, they ask about it. I finally got what I really wanted out of it: A guy who fishes one of my spots came up to me to say hi and said "Are they biting, Mr. Bond?" 

   That sealed it. Imma do a video in a tux fishing with my Golden Reel. I'm going to write a script. Ya. I'm probably on the road to becoming the fishing version of Dave Chappelle. Sketch comedy. Somebody needs to take the edge off this game. 

4 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

I still love IM6, Fisher and Powell fly rods, spinning - Loomis GL2, and I can't get past my Crowder IM6 - I can count the fish advantage over later, faster (lighter) rods, especially fishing jerkbait.  

Funny you mentioned jerks. I just bought 20 6sense provoke deep divers for $100. That rod is definitely suited for Jerking. 6'6" and it'll carry the little Raps and the stupid big Wally's. 

   I'm talking myself out of selling this rod aren't I? LoL. It's hard to explain, but the OG tournament stuff like this just feels "right". 

    They understood the assignment. 

[Tackleholic]

I have a rod from that same series, 7ft light and it is not for sale.  It's always on my boat with a jerkbait attached.  I love it's action and the grip really fits my hand.  

[garroyo130]

Model number? Description of logo? 

 

I have a GT2 All Star that is mid 2000s ish but definitely made in China. Still a great rod but it was originally an Academy special going for like $50 new. 

[bulldog1935]

Both of you should add photos.  

It does make sense inserting the word Classic implies a newer rod mimicking an older rod.   Also, any rod with blank Made in USA will usually state so in a promominent spot.  

I'm also fond of glass rods, and Lami Classic Glass is imported.  

[little giant]

I have a USA made WR1.

6'6" IM 6 graphite. Bought in the late 90's. Great t rig rod! I put a curado B5 on it for old time sake!

[Alex Ball]

10 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

Model number? Description of logo? 

 

I have a GT2 All Star that is mid 2000s ish but definitely made in China. Still a great rod but it was originally an Academy special going for like $50 new. 

Ya. I'll do that when I wake up. I'm working shift leader on a closing shift. Just got home. 

   Mine is definitely not Chinese. I've heard excellent things about the Nano. 

8 hours ago, little giant said:

I have a USA made WR1.

6'6" IM 6 graphite. Bought in the late 90's. Great t rig rod! I put a curado B5 on it for old time sake!

I have two others in this series and I could probably get all of them locally. They're everywhere here in North Arkansas. We build em here. Rods I mean. Phenix, BPS, Spro, etc ..You can find some crazy stuff at yard sales here. 

    I picked up a Falcon Cara T7 for $35 a few weeks ago. Insanity. It still had the tag!

9 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

Both of you should add photos.  

It does make sense inserting the word Classic implies implies a newer rod mimicking an older rod.   Also, any rod with blank Made in USA will usually state so in a promominent spot.  

I'm also fond of glass rods, and Lami Classic Glass is imported.  

Yessir. Imma do it when my light is better. I have two of the Quantum Tour Edition series 1 Lamiglas rods. Those are absolutely fantastic. I'm telling you BD, there's a period between 93-99 where they got it perfect on the rods. 

   They just feel different. Boutique? No. That's not right....  Custom. They feel like I made them. They feel like I prefer them to. 

    If it's 99s USA, particularly local to my area, I'm all in. They really built some monsters.

[rangerjockey]

Alex, 

Is that one of the light green blanks ? If so, They don't have much value. 

The older Houston made All stars had a charcoal colored blank with maroon wraps.

Fortunately, my old Zell Rowland TWS survived the tornado . When the divers recovered the boat my biggest concern was that rod and my wiggle wart box. 

 

[FishTank]

I had one of the spinning models. I bought it around 1998. I remember it being heavy and not sensitive.  I paid somewhere between $50 and $65 for it new. I only fished it for a year or less. It snapped right in the middle when I was bringing in a big catfish. Might have been my fault. 

[GReb]

On 9/4/2024 at 1:31 AM, Alex Ball said:

 

    I picked up a Falcon Cara T7 for $35 a few weeks ago. Insanity. It still had the tag!

 

People will still pay near msrp depending on the model. 

[Eric 26]

@rangerjockey I’m not sure if this is the rod (light green) you’re referring to but if it is I’m in agreement with @FishTank that it’s not very sensitive and definitely a bit heavy although I can live with both those issues it’s the handle length that really bugs me as it’s so long.

[rangerjockey]

1 hour ago, Eric 26 said:

@rangerjockey I’m not sure if this is the rod (light green) you’re referring to but if it is I’m in agreement with @FishTank that it’s not very sensitive and definitely a bit heavy although I can live with both those issues it’s the handle length that really bugs me as it’s so long.

Yes, That's what I was referring too. 

[garroyo130]

Owed y'all a picture

 

Rubber buttcap. Purchased around 2006 for $40. Made in China, performs extremely well. Even used it for jig fishing at one point though its a crankbait rod. 

[J._Bricker]

I inherited mine from my Dad when he passed away from leukemia, it was one of his favorite rods. It’s a gray blank with green wraps and is a dedicated spinnerbait rod for which I believe it is well suited.

[ETnbasser]

One of my favorite rods still in use is an AS Zell Rowland T-series spinnerbait rod with titanium guides. Only issue it has is the reel seat won’t tighten without a few wraps of electrical tape. 

[Alex Ball]

On 9/5/2024 at 12:03 PM, GReb said:

People will still pay near msrp depending on the model. 

Dang Skippy. I have multiple offers. 

On 9/6/2024 at 10:52 AM, garroyo130 said:

Owed y'all a picture

 

Rubber buttcap. Purchased around 2006 for $40. Made in China, performs extremely well. Even used it for jig fishing at one point though its a crankbait rod. 

I have the same one except it was made in the USA. I even know where now. RebRods in Flippin Ar did a few runs. 

On 9/6/2024 at 10:52 AM, garroyo130 said:

Owed y'all a picture

 

Rubber buttcap. Purchased around 2006 for $40. Made in China, performs extremely well. Even used it for jig fishing at one point though its a crankbait rod. 

I have the same one except it was made in the USA. I even know where now. RebRods in Flippin Ar did a few runs. 

Sorry for the ghosting. I got a job at McDonald's as a shift leader or enforcer. I have since, in 3 weeks, been tagged as the only logical option to be tapped for management. Crazy 2 weeks. I haven't been home in 3 days until now. 

    I'll definitely be upgrading my stuff. Lol. I'm making stupid money. 

[Alex Ball]

On 9/5/2024 at 10:35 AM, rangerjockey said:

Alex, 

Is that one of the light green blanks ? If so, They don't have much value. 

The older Houston made All stars had a charcoal colored blank with maroon wraps.

Fortunately, my old Zell Rowland TWS survived the tornado . When the divers recovered the boat my biggest concern was that rod and my wiggle wart box. 

 

It's the maroon one. Yup. 

There it is. I love it. 

That IIc is on almost every single St. Croix I've seen. I'm wondering if it's the same blank. 

[Alex Ball]

9 minutes ago, Alex Ball said:

It's the maroon one. Yup. 

There it is. I love it. 

That IIc is on almost every single St. Croix I've seen. I'm wondering if it's the same blank. 

 

On 9/5/2024 at 10:35 AM, rangerjockey said:

Alex, 

Is that one of the light green blanks ? If so, They don't have much value. 

The older Houston made All stars had a charcoal colored blank with maroon wraps.

Fortunately, my old Zell Rowland TWS survived the tornado . When the divers recovered the boat my biggest concern was that rod and my wiggle wart box. 

 

Did you get your warts back? That'd be a difficult moment for me. My warts are super important to my style. Pre rap or nothing at all. 

[rangerjockey]

10 hours ago, Alex Ball said:

 

Did you get your warts back? That'd be a difficult moment for me. My warts are super important to my style. Pre rap or nothing at all. 

The warts were in a Buzbe and held up fine. No moisture at all. A second had some squarebills in it and shattered the lid .