My Heddon Reels

Started by Redhed, May 05, 2022, 12:57:20 PM

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nelz

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Midway Tommy

You need to delve into the Spin-Matics for us one of these days. They're 1964ish and the same reel as the Roddy Gyro, 200, 225 & 250. The same company that made a lot of Heddon's reels, Olympic, made a lot of Roddy's reels.
Love those open face spinning reels! (Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco Cardinals)

Tommy D (ORCA), NE



Favorite Activity? ............... In our boat fishing
RELAXING w/ MY BEST FRIEND (My wife Bonnie)

Redhed

Quote from: Midway Tommy on May 05, 2022, 10:30:36 PMYou need to delve into the Spin-Matics for us one of these days. They're 1964ish and the same reel as the Roddy Gyro, 200, 225 & 250. The same company that made a lot of Heddon's reels, Olympic, made a lot of Roddy's reels.

Oh, that is on the menu for sure! I have a 290 and a 295 that I'll tear down at some point. I'd like to see inside.
Gary

happyhooker

The two-tone greens are good conversation starters.  Almost a sure ID for an old Heddon, although there are some models in other colors.  If you look at all the old Heddons as a group, you would say the numbering system is pretty confusing.  Within that large group, there are a few smaller groups that do have numbering that has a little logic too it.  Thinking, maybe, of the 281-282-283 & 284, as well as the 280, 290 & 295 Spinmatics.

Just had my 222 out last Tues. Decent-sized bigmouth buffalo were out, although I didn't know it beforehand.  Only spooled up with 8 lb. test, which I usually would not do for buffs.  Got into one that I estimated was over 15 lb., and while the fish slipped the hook after a 10-minute battle, the reel performed well and the drag hung right in there despite a couple of decent runs.  The 8 lb. test just didn't let me get the fish to the net quick enough.  "Next time" (how many of you have said that!), a little heavier line.  And, hopefully, a smarter reel turner.

Thanks for the pics.  A lot of fun to see.

Frank

Gfish

That is one weird name: Dowagiac. Would that be a person, place or thing? I had a vintage wooden Heddon lure with that on it and thought it was a misprint.
Fishing tackle is an art form and all fish caught on the right tackle are"Gfish"!

Crow

There's nothing wrong with a few "F's" on your record....Food, Fun, Flowers, Fishing, Friends, and Fun....to name just a few !

Wompus Cat

What Crow posted .
Plus HEDDON started out as a Lure Maker .
He hand carved them and here is More  from Ron Gast's site
JAMES HEDDON INFO CLICK HERE
If a Grass Hopper Carried a Shotgun then the Birds wouldn't MESS with Him

Midway Tommy

Reels, casting or spinning, were not part of Heddon's forte.
Love those open face spinning reels! (Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco Cardinals)

Tommy D (ORCA), NE



Favorite Activity? ............... In our boat fishing
RELAXING w/ MY BEST FRIEND (My wife Bonnie)

Wompus Cat

Quote from: Midway Tommy on May 06, 2022, 01:57:41 PMReels, casting or spinning, were not part of Heddon's forte.

The VERY EARLY ones were Quite Good and the numbers  were the price for the Reel and in the Day were Quite Expensive as 24 ,33,4,35 bux .
If a Grass Hopper Carried a Shotgun then the Birds wouldn't MESS with Him

Catching Nemo

I know it's sometimes frowned upon to repaint reels...but anyone here have an idea of a spray paint product/name that will match the greenish pearl color for the Heddon spinning reel bodies?  I've purchased a bunch of Heddons from eBay--poor cosmetic paint condition, but functionally OK.

These are intended to be used, rather than sit on the shelf.  But I would like to touch up the paint job a bit anyways.

Redhed

Quote from: Catching Nemo on May 06, 2022, 03:56:24 PMI know it's sometimes frowned upon to repaint reels...but anyone here have an idea of a spray paint product/name that will match the greenish pearl color for the Heddon spinning reel bodies?  I've purchased a bunch of Heddons from eBay--poor cosmetic paint condition, but functionally OK.

These are intended to be used, rather than sit on the shelf.  But I would like to touch up the paint job a bit anyways.

Most folks won't repaint old reels, but if you decide to, do yourself a favor and go to an automotive paint supplier and have them color match electronically. They can mix up a rattle can for you and you can spray it yourself.

In any case it might be difficult to match the original smoothness and gloss without a lot of hard work.
Gary

Midway Tommy

Quote from: Wompus Cat on May 06, 2022, 02:29:02 PM
Quote from: Midway Tommy on May 06, 2022, 01:57:41 PMReels, casting or spinning, were not part of Heddon's forte.

The VERY EARLY ones were Quite Good and the numbers  were the price for the Reel and in the Day were Quite Expensive as 24 ,33,4,35 bux .

Yes, the early Jack Welch reels were pretty high quality.

Later reels, not so much.
Love those open face spinning reels! (Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco Cardinals)

Tommy D (ORCA), NE



Favorite Activity? ............... In our boat fishing
RELAXING w/ MY BEST FRIEND (My wife Bonnie)

DougK

Quote from: Midway Tommy on May 06, 2022, 01:57:41 PMReels, casting or spinning, were not part of Heddon's forte.

they did make a pretty good casting reel, the Heddon Mark IV 3200, one of the first designs with a disengaging level wind. I got one to go on a Heddon 200 baitcasting splitcane rod..
Also the Heddon fly reels that were imitations of Hardy designs, are good.
Four Heddons in this picture but no spinning reels ;-)




Midway Tommy

Quote from: DougK on May 10, 2022, 04:15:51 PM
Quote from: Midway Tommy on May 06, 2022, 01:57:41 PMReels, casting or spinning, were not part of Heddon's forte.

they did make a pretty good casting reel, the Heddon Mark IV 3200, one of the first designs with a disengaging level wind. I got one to go on a Heddon 200 baitcasting splitcane rod..
Also the Heddon fly reels that were imitations of Hardy designs, are good.
Four Heddons in this picture but no spinning reels ;-)


Heddon didn't make either of those reels. Their manufacture was farmed out.

When I reference reels not being part of Heddon's forte I mean actually made by Heddon.
Love those open face spinning reels! (Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco Cardinals)

Tommy D (ORCA), NE



Favorite Activity? ............... In our boat fishing
RELAXING w/ MY BEST FRIEND (My wife Bonnie)