Does anyone still use really old rods or reels?
Here`s mine; Garcia Conolon 9.5L medium w/eagle claw 4000 reel
Eagle Claw 5`6``light ,bait caster w/Rhino 303 spin caster
Shakespeare 10` fly-pole and reel
Ugly stick 6`6``medium original w/quantum ss
Shakespeare Contender 6`6``light w/quantum ss
Zebco Rhino 6`6``medium/light (not using)
Zebco Rhino 6`6``heavy/medium(not using)
Old-fart Catfisher

I still use a Spin Master II spinning reel (made by South Bend) that I bought as a 14 year old. I use this reel every trip (on a new rod) and I'm now 58. It's a great old reel.     Happy fishing.

Phoenix Arizona

~N.A.F.C.~B.A.S.S.~BoatU.S.~N.R.A.~A.M.A.~

I still use a 6' heavy action "Black Beauty" by South Bend. I dont know exactly how old this rod is, or if they still make them, but I've had this one over 15 years.
Lifer since 05/08....Ky....Fred

I still use a number of  older Mitchell Garcia 300 series reels. I do have a couple that are in mint condition that are in my cabinet as collectibles; but I have many more that are sitting in reel seats of rods that I use often. One or two of them are all scratched and worn from many many years of use and they are still some of my favorite fishing reels ever made. I know I have been using one of them since maybe 1972 and I think that makes it an antique. I would not part with that reel for almost any price. I hopefully will use it many more years and then pass it onto my son. If it could talk.... oh what fishing stories it could tell!

Hey fishing- eagle--I'm with you on the Mitchell's! I have several 300's, 308', and a 406 (needs repair) Mitchell was always my favorite. I have had some of them since the late 50', early 60's and they still are in great shape! I also have an original Eagle-claw Trailmaster Rod in metal tube (1965) has a lifetime warranty. I have several other rods and reels that date back 30 or 40 years. I also have several that are recent purchase also but I still like my old Mitchell reel and eagle claw rod as much as any of the fancy ones i have.----Bill J.

Fishnhunt it`s funny my first decent fishing pole was a yellow Eagle Claw 6`6``that was givin to me in around 1975 and he told me to put a Mitchell reel on it witch was a 300 model.That pole was the best until a 50lb cat snapt it at the base around 1984.I still have the reel, just don`t use.
Old-fart Catfisher

Hi Rick-- Depends on what model the rod was You could have got a replacement by Wright & McGill as they stand by their products. Take Care and good fishing---Bill J

FNH No replacement would have been the same
Old-fart Catfisher

Fred: As far as I know the Back Beauty is still in production. Bought a couple of ultra lights a few years ago and wasn't very impressed, but the heavier rods could be fine. I think it is easier to make the heavier rods, Tom
Fishin' fool in NE Illinois

Just bought a Shakespeare Pro Touch w/Elect reel at a yard sale, 5.00 and a Diawa push button for 3.00 cleaned them up,looks good.Havn`t tried them yet.
Old-fart Catfisher

No But I have some ORVIS 100 and 100 A spinning reels that I used touse in the sixtys with the boxes and instructions still with them, and I have some Fenwick Fiberglass rods that were paired with them at the time. Bernie Schultz collects this stuff and I was thinking of giving them to him at the next tournament as he really cares about it.
Delaware Bass Fishing For Trophy Bass

http://delawaretrophybass.com

Life Member Since 1996

When I was a kid just learning to fish, I dreamed of owning a Mitchell 300. Sadly, the world has moved on and at this time I have better options. I may just seek out one for my collection just to satisfy the desire to own one! Tom
Fishin' fool in NE Illinois

            Pegsguy,definately get one Mitchell 300 was my first spinning reel.Abig cat on the Potomac took it.My 2nd one was bought in 77 when I got my first UGLY STIK.I striped the main gear first day on a big --s something.Took it back to the sporting goods and they replaced it for me.Still have it just dont use it.
Old-fart Catfisher

Better Options????????????  Fancier & Easier to use,  maybe but BETTER than a Mitchell????? !!! I'd have to argue that case.   The thing about the Older Reels is that, like old cars & tractors, they DO require some routine maintenance ....Cleaning...Greese etc.....I take my Mitchells apart every winter & go over them getting them ready for a new season.....My Mitchell 300A is over 40 years old....You realy think that New Top of the Line Reel on the market today will perform that long????  L.O.L.                But I admit I'm Lost in the past......I still Drive a  '80 AMC Concord , Cut my lawn with a '68 Sears Suburban & Plow My garden with a 1950 David Bradley  Tractor! 

DanO: My first combo was an Ocean City levelwind spooled with dacron braid mounted on a steel 5'6" rod. No, they don't make them like they used to. Tom
Fishin' fool in NE Illinois

my dad has a really nice ultra light from south bend and it has to b at least 60 years old. An antique place near my house said they wood give him 90$ for it but he said no.
"Give a Man a Fish, Feed Him For a Day. Teach a Man to Fish, Feed Him For a Lifetime"

Still fish a Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5000 (1970's) Named "Big Red"

Still fish a Mitchell 300A Spinning (When Browning made them, 1983) Named "Blacky"
Even still have the reducing arbor & do use it on occasion.

Still own a Mitchell Impact IM30 Spinning, just clean, oil and put up each year.

Still own, but don't use a couple spin-casters
Early model Johnson Century, just clean, oil and put up each year.
1984 Zebco 33 Classic, just clean, oil and put up each year.

All other Bait Casters, Casters & Spinning are 1995 or newer. Newest being Abu Garcia Soron STX 20 Spinning.

I figured antique would have to be 25 years old or older.

So still fish 2 of 5 old reels, hmmm, never thought about it that way, thanks for thread to remind me, old dogs can still do tricks....

....Reid