I've got an old Shimano Bantam that I bought back in the late eighties that is about due for retirement. 6:1 retrieve and has been reliable as all get out. Most of the writing is rubbed off so I'm not sure what model it is but I'm watching Ebay.
The evolution of baitcasting reels
- Thread starter chrome/22
- Start date
Rob Allen
Life of the Party
Silver or black? Rosewood Handel's?
Black, plastic handles I think.
Rob Allen
Life of the Party
That's what I had too.. the cool kids had the silver ones with the wood handles
ThomasM
corvus ossifragus
I also grew up with the Bantams. Growing up in a family of very avid bass anglers in the South (LM, Striped, White, Peacock in SA and so on), we had a tackle room that had more rods and reels than I could count, bankers boxes full of lures, etc. It was pretty ridiculous. All the bait casters were various sizes of Shimano Bantams except for the odd Abu Garcia which was dusty and usually with an uncleared backlash.
When I started gear fishing out here after being fly-only for a long time, I stuck with Shimano and picked up a couple Calcutta D 201's which I like and a Calcutta Conquest 201 that I really like. Over the last year, I've started mostly using the Tranx in 201 and 301 for the faster retrieve, strong drag and price. Just got a Tekota with a line counter for backbouncing that I'm looking forward to using this spring.
Paige
Wishing I was fishing the Sauk
The Diawa Tatula 100 is a bad ass real that would do light very well with the T wing system.
I love mine, but used for coho tossing jigs.
I don't know if my Curado 200G7 is newer or not, sweet reel!
I seriously think I have all those. It's that old pearl framed/handle ABU the 5000 or the pre Garcia model? I inherited my Dad's. Still has brown leather case (pre black) with tool kit and oil container. Reel has no # and it only says ABU with everything else in Swedish.
Paige
Wishing I was fishing the Sauk
I thought there was a reel in this case, but was empty, so might be another case somewhere! The red reel does fit, but I'm sure I bought that reel without a case.
I bought this reel a few years ago, was trying to replace memories of using the old man's red Abu that he sold long ago. I don't think it had the pearl and have know idea the model, but was old in the mid 70's I think this real is earlier model than my dad's.
I bought this reel a few years ago, was trying to replace memories of using the old man's red Abu that he sold long ago. I don't think it had the pearl and have know idea the model, but was old in the mid 70's I think this real is earlier model than my dad's.
Grabbed a Bantam from my Dad's collection. Cleaned it up, and need to put back together.
My first exposure to a bait casting reel was the Ambassadors. Dad fished them in the salt hard, they only lasted a few seasons.
Love and hate my Calcutta 201D. Love it because its a fine reel, and great to use. Hate on cold winter days when the cold case will freeze my hands.
B
bennysbuddy
Guest
Your almost as bad as me & I’m a recovering hoarder
Paige
Wishing I was fishing the Sauk
I can help with that problem and know you need the help, I've been bugging you for years for some reals that...
I know you have and don't use anymore or never have used!
Grumpy old farts hanging on to past glory
Scudley Do Right
Legend
I have newer reels like revos and curados. I use those for bass fishing but I don't think they cast much further than my 250 bantam with new bearings. If you have an older reel try cleaning it up and changing out the bearings. Fishing for salmon or something that is going to pull drag I only use something with direct drive. When I learned I was never allowed to use the drag only my thumb. I have used other people's newer reels and I feel like I don't have as much control over the fish.
Those are professional overruns, not birds nests.
B
bennysbuddy
Guest
It’s all I got left, past glory, Just be sure to make it early to the garage sale when I die……I can help with that problem and know you need the help, I've been bugging you for years for some reals that...
I know you have and don't use anymore or never have used!
Grumpy old farts hanging on to past glory
B
