The evolution of baitcasting reels

[Stonedfish]

Can you get parts for the old Bantams like 100’s, 200’s etc?
I thought for awhile there was a period where you couldn’t get parts any longer for them.
Has that changed?
SF

 

[chrome/22]

Good question I'll research on my week off.

 

[bennysbuddy]

Nothing makes me feel stupider than bait casters. Over the years I have tried and tried to teach my thumb but on a good day I spend half my time picking out rats nests.

It happens in the best of familys

 

[Paige]

There’s a few old timely bait casters

Why are you holding out on us?

show ME the money!

 

[Grayone]

Some of my old reels, from left to right.

Shakespeare Wondereel, Plueger Akron, Pluguer Rocket, Langley Streamlite, Abu Garcia 2600.
Bantam 100, Bantam Mag Plus 250.

View attachment 4969


I have a whole bunch of others, old Penns and what not!

That 2600 is the cats meow.

 

[chrome/22]

Good question I'll research on my week off.

Sorry wound up fishing all week, not sorry really

 

[Joe H]

Still have an Abu 6000 with side spool adjust, a couple original Lew's level winds, along with a half dozen Shimano Bantams in 100 through 400 sizes. The 200's were my faves for drift and hardware fishing through the late 90's, then retired for newer, better working models.
I bought the last remaining Bantam pinion gears (from Harv M in about 2001), that are probably in a ziploc with the reels in a storage tote somewhere.

Hardy fly reels slowly replaced the level winds and I haven't really paid attention since... except for a couple next generation Lew's BB2's purchased around 2010.