Reel Repair by Alan Tani

I like the drag star. Never seen a cotter pin used there. I'd prolly saw-off the screw end and smooth it off.
.

Over the weekend I found a for sale ad for seeker rods. I met Len, who has retired from long range fishing and has decided to sell off his gear. I purchased a couple of super seekers from him and I am really glad I did. Since this year marks the second season that only anchovies have been available for bait, and I'm new to anchovie fishing, I'm still figuring out the correct gear for me to use as a flyline setup.
Well, I think I just found it. I got a 670-8 and took it out this am for casting practice with my pg251 setup with 25lb line. The combo was amazing, so easy to cast, I cant wait to use it.
The second rod is a 6480H, which I plan on setting up as a 40lb stick, not sure which reel yet. I have a torque25n2speed on a calstar gf800H which is probabaly my favorite setup, so the 6480h may get setup the same way.
Thanks Len, I love the rods.

classics!!!!

Very nice Rogan. Rarely see Seekers here in SWFL. Hope to find one some day.

Congratulations, Rogan !

Picked up (21) very nice to excellent to new DAM Quick reels today —- from a friend who collected these, and never used more than a couple of them.

220
220N
220N
110N
110
550
3000
2000
1000 Microlite
1001 Microlite
1000FD
1401
110
110N
265 Microlite
1202
1202
1202
1202
1202
1001 Microlite

Cut down some big Oak limbs this morning that were going to be an issue.  Dropped one dead Fir about 22" at the base.  Then limbed some dead limbs from a Cedar about 40' up just below the live foliage branches.

Will head out now to cut up and haul the branches.  86° at 4 PM now.

Work for 90 minutes then in for a shower, and a relaxing evening.

Then tomorrow I'll go through each of these reels, replace anything needed cosmetically (mechanically all 100%, and about half are new or nearly new —- so just grease evacuation, service, and good to go).

Then they will all be for sale.

On the 1202's —- maybe my favorite DQ.  They are a unique size between a Microlite 1001 and a 1401.  They have the finesse of a Microlite with the backbone of a 2000 sized reel.  Metal, steel and bronze worm-drive, skirted petticoat spool, and more.  These are an absolute pleasure to fish.  A rare size purposely filling a needed niche.

Best, Fred

I would pay $600 for the last 6 reels

Those are very nice super seekers, they look like older green glass models, sought after models. I have a SS670-8, great rod. You'll love it

Thanks Swami, feeling lucky i found them

I also have to give a big thank you to PJ. I bought his backup reel, a Shimano speedmaster 12, to give to my son. The reel and my son showed up only minutes apart, and after the unboxing, they both disappeared together.  I didnt even get a pic of it. It was in like new condition, spooled and ready to fish and is gonna be a great reel for him.  Thanks PJ!

Quote from: rogan on July 27, 2026, 05:58:19 PMOver the weekend I found a for sale ad for seeker rods. I met Len, who has retired from long range fishing and has decided to sell off his gear. I purchased a couple of super seekers from him and I am really glad I did. Since this year marks the second season that only anchovies have been available for bait, and I'm new to anchovie fishing, I'm still figuring out the correct gear for me to use as a flyline setup.
Well, I think I just found it. I got a 670-8 and took it out this am for casting practice with my pg251 setup with 25lb line. The combo was amazing, so easy to cast, I cant wait to use it.
The second rod is a 6480H, which I plan on setting up as a 40lb stick, not sure which reel yet. I have a torque25n2speed on a calstar gf800H which is probabaly my favorite setup, so the 6480h may get setup the same way.
Thanks Len, I love the rods.

Pretty rods! I like the Turk's Head (if that's the correct term?) binding at the top of the foregrip.

Quote from: rogan on July 28, 2026, 02:53:20 AMThanks Swami, feeling lucky i found them

I also have to give a big thank you to PJ. I bought his backup reel, a Shimano speedmaster 12, to give to my son. The reel and my son showed up only minutes apart, and after the unboxing, they both disappeared together.  I didnt even get a pic of it. It was in like new condition, spooled and ready to fish and is gonna be a great reel for him.  Thanks PJ!

Too bad that Speedmaster 12 on your nu 6480H would have been a good Cedros yt rod!

Quote from: sciaenops on July 28, 2026, 08:16:00 AMToo bad that Speedmaster 12 on your nu 6480H would have been a good Cedros yt rod!

I totally agree. I have an Andros 12sii that I like a little better because of the cast control. On the andros, the adjustment range is so good,it does assist with casting and allows me to use it for everything from trolling to yoyo to surface iron to live bait. If I only had one reel for cedros, it would be the andros. (On a 7'6" moderate 50lb composite rod)

Quote from: rogan on July 28, 2026, 04:42:55 PM

Quote from: sciaenops on July 28, 2026, 08:16:00 AMToo bad that Speedmaster 12 on your nu 6480H would have been a good Cedros yt rod!

I totally agree. I have an Andros 12sii that I like a little better because of the cast control. On the andros, the adjustment range is so good,it does assist with casting and allows me to use it for everything from trolling to yoyo to surface iron to live bait. If I only had one reel for cedros, it would be the andros. (On a 7'6" moderate 50lb composite rod)

Well then your Andros it is! I have a 12nsii and love it for 30# schoolie duty. Built solid!

Picked up about 45 reels today —-

DAM Quicks, Cardinals, Penns, Shakes, Mitchell's, Orvis, Centaures, and one that I cannot ID.

ARTES VIPER ATLANTIC MAT.5881Z, a very large vintage salt water spinning reel.  Reminds me of Luxor, Centaure, or?  Can't find it online, or in the (3) books of Ben's that I have.  It operates as new, shows little wear, smooth and all functions work perfectly, skirted metal spool, all metal reel, very interesting design.  Heavy duty.  Appears maybe to be late 40's early 50's?  Weighs 22.6 ounces.  Really large spool and a really long crank.  1:3 gear ratio.  Probably a surf or salmon reel.

I'll sort these out by tomorrow, and post up what is in the (3) large boxes.

Reels were $10 each.

Best, Fred

That Viper Atlantic is a PUM and thought to be made in Barcelona, Spain, possibly by Sagarra and most likely in the early '50s. There's not a lot of in depth history known about them. There is also a half bail that is similar to the early Sagarra which is named only Viper. If you plan on selling it let me know how much, I might be interested.