Super User Goose52 Posted January 26, 2012 Super User Posted January 26, 2012 Today I retired my last Sigma spinning reel (the 040 with the line on the spool in the photo). None are left in front-line service, and I don't expect that I will need them in reserve. From warriors to relics... I bought most of these in the mid-1980s and fished them into the early 90s. A few were fished off and on over the years since then. When I retired three years ago, I bought a few more to fill-out the collection and put them to work. All still work and have been reeling in fish the past 3 years (except the 3 saltwater reels). What was their downfall? None have instant anti-reverse and they just started feeling a bit "clunky" after using more modern reels. Also, the fiber drag washers were getting a bit compressed, making the drags a bit sticky. Otherwise - they were good to go. One of the 040 reels (top row on right) reeled in my 9.06 LMB PB! Most are headed for display in my den - a couple will be on eBay. Thanks Sigma clan for the faithful service! Quote
The Rooster Posted January 27, 2012 Posted January 27, 2012 That's kind of a cool looking collection there. Seems there must be one of every size ever made. What are you replacing them with?? Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted January 27, 2012 Author Super User Posted January 27, 2012 Hey Rooster - that is indeed every size they made: 025, 030, 035, 040, 050, 060, and 080. In the photo there are two 035s, two 040s, and one each of the other sizes. The 025 to 040 size Shakespeares have been replaced by various Pfluegers in 20, 25, 30, and 35 sizes. The saltwater-size Shakespeares (050, 060, 080) are not being replaced since I left all the saltwater behind in California and haven't found much of it since I moved to Tennessee... Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted January 27, 2012 Super User Posted January 27, 2012 Nice collection Goose..........cosmetically they look better than my newer stuff. The 50 or 60 might not be a bad striper reel. Quote
Ima Bass Ninja Posted January 27, 2012 Posted January 27, 2012 You take incredibly good care of your equipment. That stuff looks like it just came outta the box. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted January 27, 2012 Author Super User Posted January 27, 2012 Nice collection Goose..........cosmetically they look better than my newer stuff. The 50 or 60 might not be a bad striper reel. No stripers in my little lakes...but they're in the big water not far away. I had one salt water rod (7'6") that I used on piers that would have made a pretty nice striper rod but I gave it away, along with my surf rods, when I left CA. Still, if the need arose, any of these Sigmas could come out of the display case and back into action! You take incredibly good care of your equipment. That stuff looks like it just came outta the box. It's hard to see in the photo, but most have a little rash here and there. The ones that ARE in good shape considering the service are the saltwater reels. They always had a freshwater bath when I got back from the beach and luckily none were dropped in the sand and scratched up. These reels have a black paint finish that is reasonably durable but still "scratchable". I wish I had all the boxes for these...makes a difference if/when they end up on eBay ! Quote
The Rooster Posted January 27, 2012 Posted January 27, 2012 Oh, if you had only known when you opened them and tossed out the boxes!!! I've got all the boxes my reels came in. They're all newer reels, but I'm just OCD about stuff like that. By the way, I've got some salt water here in KY. It's in rare supply though. Make it myself and rinse with it once in a while, haha. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted January 27, 2012 Author Super User Posted January 27, 2012 Oh, if you had only known when you opened them and tossed out the boxes!!! I've got all the boxes my reels came in. They're all newer reels, but I'm just OCD about stuff like that. By the way, I've got some salt water here in KY. It's in rare supply though. Make it myself and rinse with it once in a while, haha. I have 4 of the boxes for ones I bought new. A few I bought on eBay with no box. Still, I've misplaced a few boxes over the last 25+ years that I've owned most of them. I have lived in 6 different houses over that time though and on every move, things get thrown out... I wish I still had the box for my Mitchell 408 that I bought around 1965...but then I've lived in over 20 places since then so that box was gone LONG ago... I do have all the boxes for the reels I've puchased in the last few years. Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted January 27, 2012 Super User Posted January 27, 2012 Speaking of Mitchells, I was out on the jettie this morning and saw my friend Gene. Gene is an immigrant from Rumania and head cook at Hunters Run Country Club. He's a meat hunter and not sportsman, he's daily catch is what the members eat for lunch and dinner. Today Gene was fishing with freshwater Mitchell that had to 50+ years old mounted on what looked like a barbie rod and gets hit by a 10# Jack Crevelle. Amazing how he landed it and even more amazing that the reel has lasted this long in saltwater, Gene isn't one for oiling and lubing reels..............lol. Quote
Super User K_Mac Posted January 27, 2012 Super User Posted January 27, 2012 Goose those are some fine looking old reels. I am a believer in keeping my reels reasonably clean and maintained, but when it comes to avoiding boat rash not so much. My stuff has a tendency to look its age-much like me. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted January 27, 2012 Author Super User Posted January 27, 2012 Speaking of Mitchells.................. The made-in-France Mitchells were (are) just great reels. It took my Dad about 40 years to finally wear out his late-50s vintage Mitchell 300....which he used to catch his 10lb 14oz PB LMB. He fished that reel for hours every weekend, and usually for 15 to 30 minutes every evening (he lived on a canal in SoFla). I still fish my Mitchell 408 every once in a while. The only thing that bugs me is that the bail cannot be conveniently manually closed - you have to crank the reel to trip the bail (or grab the little trip lever and pull it out with your fingernail!). Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted January 27, 2012 Author Super User Posted January 27, 2012 Goose those are some fine looking old reels. I am a believer in keeping my reels reasonably clean and maintained, but when it comes to avoiding boat rash not so much. My stuff has a tendency to look its age-much like me. Thanks Kirby - I try to keep the gear nice but don't take extraordinary care. They're tools - not some precious cabinet queens. Although, that Shimano Conquest I just got will probably get a bit more care than the PQs... Quote
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