My dad’s original Shakespeare reel (or photo of one like it) that still works flawlessly. It reeks of quality materials and makes fishing more fun. (Photo Provided)
I’m still fishing with rods and reels that I had when I was a teenager…that my dad had before me. And I can truthfully say they’re better in some ways than what you can buy now, and as much a part of the fun as fishing, itself.
By Ray Reilly for Press Pros
I’d like to share that I’ve received a lot of response from my recent Florida posts and fishing for big panfish. Over and over people have told me that they enjoy reading about ‘real’ fishing…simple fishing…and fishing that doesn’t break the bank.
I’ve shared those stories on platforms other than Press Pros, and the comments I’ve received have one common question. How much does it cost…if you want to catch bluegills like those in Florida?
Well, it doesn’t have to cost a lot, but a lot of what I do is made possible by the people I know. In Florida I fished with long-time friend Pat Montgomery, who always knows where to fish and who to ask. That really helps. Pat fishes nearly everyday, has the boat, equipment, and the relationships that saves both time and money.
As for those who write about simple fishing, we did our share of that, too. The bluegills and shellcrackers caught in the St. Johns River were all caught on small jigs and red worms in water seven to ten feet deep – with the very same baits you use at home. The fish were a bit scattered because it was pre-spawn, but when you found them you really found them, and the technique was pretty simple. Make a good presentation of the bait at the fish’s depth, lift the rod tip ever-so-slightly now and then, and wait for a fish to eat it. They weren’t as aggressive as they will be in another month, but fish are always willing to eat if you just wait them out.
There’s another thing about my fishing tastes that maybe you’ll appreciate as much as I do.
I don’t think I’ve bought a new rod, or a new reel, since I was eighteen. In fact, I’m using now – and I used them in Florida – the same Shakespeare and Johnson spincast reels that my dad bought back in the 60s and fished with until he died. He was a stickler for maintenance, he took care of his equipment, and he taught me to do the same. I have three of them, rigged with 4 pound, 8 pound, and 12 pound monofilament line, and I’ve used those reels all over the United States for all kinds of fish.
The rods that I used are the same Shakespeare and St. Croix rods that he passed down, and they’re still as serviceable as the day he bought them – seven foot in length, medium to lightweight, and heavy on the memories. That’s why I enjoy using them.
Two years ago I caught a five-pound bass on a hot day outside Ironton, Ohio with Dad’s old Shakespeare reel – Model 1788 – and the reason I caught that fish was because I was able to place a top water lure precisely under some overhanging bushes that made it hard to cast without getting hung up. One of the great qualities of those old spincast reels was their accuracy and reliability…ease of use. On the second cast I hooked up and the fight was on. The drag and bearings on those old reels were brass and metal, and after fifty years still work flawlessly. And when we were catching fish in Florida I can’t tell you how many people asked about them…and how unique they were compared to the modern spinning and baitcast reels from Daiwa, Abu-Garcia, and Bass Pros Shop.
Coverage of the outdoors on Press Pros is proudly sponsored by Olde English Outfitters, in Tipp City.
The fact that I haven’t bought a new reel since I was a teenager doesn’t mean that I haven’t used more modern spinning and baitcast reels. I have, and in some cases I’ve enjoyed the newer equipment. But for the sake of simplicity, and fishing that doesn’t break the bank, I still prefer the older equipment that I use for crappies and bluegills.
And if you know what you’re looking for, and if you’re not scared of simple maintenance, you can still readily find the old rods and the old reels on EBay for a fraction of the price of a new one. Sadly, the Shakespeare company is not the company it started out to be. The advantage, I maintain, is that so many of the newer reels are over-engineered and of less quality construction.
A lot of serious bass fisherman use open baitcasting reels, but I’ve never had a baitcast reel yet that didn’t backlash (bird’s nest), and after all this time you’d believe that they would have that figured out.
I love the newer, smaller spinning reels, but again, for the sake of simplicity they’re not as convenient for a young person starting out as a Zebco spincast reel, even the cheaper, nylon gear models. But they’re great to learn on, and once you’re confident to step up that’s when you’ll appreciate finding one of the vintage, better-made Johnsons and Shakespeares.
You cannot beat the build and quality of the classic Johnson Century reel. Still out there, still working, and still repairable.
One of my absolute favorites is the old green Johnson Century spincast model, and the reason I like it so well is because, again, its build and small size. It’s half the size of the Shakespeares of the same era, and yet has the horsepower to land fish up to ten pounds. And, the Johnsons were small enough to move from one rod to another if you wanted to fish smaller. Cost, when you find a nice one on Ebay? About $40.00!
I have had to take them down for repairs and maintenance, but reassembly is a breeze, and if you need parts there’s even resources online that make them easy to find. I’m satisfied that there are people still using Shakespeare and Johnson reels that are much older than mine!
This is how I do it, and it’s been fun for me.
And if you’re catching a 12-inch bluegill (like the one above) on a Johnson Century with a lightweight rod…it’s going to be fun for you, too.
‘Til next time, I’ve enjoyed it.
Olde English Outfitters proudly sponsors coverage of the outdoors on Press Pros Magazine.com.