Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Spinning Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Shakespeare => Topic started by: CincyDavid on February 23, 2026, 04:20:43 PM

Title: South Bend 808, Shakespeare trade reel
Post by: CincyDavid on February 23, 2026, 04:20:43 PM
This big green reel is headed my way. Not one you see every day.
Title: Re: South Bend 808, Shakespeare trade reel
Post by: Gfish on February 23, 2026, 04:27:37 PM
Yeah. Now for the origin story. These old rare reels are fun and interesting. Some seem to have a knack for finding them.
Title: Re: South Bend 808, Shakespeare trade reel
Post by: CincyDavid on February 23, 2026, 04:30:24 PM
I was doing a basic search on ebay and stumbled on it...wasn't even looking for one but figured I might not see another any time soon so I should grab it. I'm assuming it's late-60s production, seems that Shakespeare did a lot of private label/trade reels during that era.
Title: Re: South Bend 808, Shakespeare trade reel
Post by: happyhooker on February 25, 2026, 12:53:02 AM
As I recollect it, Shakespeare and South Bend had a deal where Shakespeare built reels for SB, and SB furnished rods to Shaky. Not sure when it started or ended.  That SB 808 bears a resemblance to the old Sea Wonders.

Frank
Title: Re: South Bend 808, Shakespeare trade reel
Post by: CincyDavid on February 25, 2026, 03:24:42 PM
Frank, I assume it's either a 2080 or 2090 Sea Wonder, hopefully the spools have a part number so I can confirm. I don't have the faintest idea what I'm going to do with it, likely it will just sit in the box, but one never knows.
Title: Re: South Bend 808, Shakespeare trade reel
Post by: CincyDavid on February 26, 2026, 04:05:06 PM
Even the crank handle is green. I keep getting an error when I try to upload images today, I'll circle back later. My laptop is getting close to the end of its life, maybe this is a sign from above to replace it. One of the spools has 4777 on the back, the other two appear to be blank.
Title: Re: South Bend 808, Shakespeare trade reel
Post by: CincyDavid on February 26, 2026, 10:57:17 PM
There are little labels on the back of the spools, DECEIVER 12 lb and DECEIVER 20 lb. Apparently South Bend had a line of monofilament called Deceiver.
Title: Re: South Bend 808, Shakespeare trade reel
Post by: CincyDavid on March 02, 2026, 01:44:14 PM
50 shades of green...