Reel Repair by Alan Tani

I only count functioning reel and have only about 10 part reels

If I only count the fully functional ones that I can hand to someone else to use without any special instructions... I don't think I actually own any reels.

For me it started with Penn.

Years ago I purchased two sets of Newell 4:1 gears for my 4/0's and had to figure out how to install them—-then I had to upgrade every reel I owned.

After that I needed more reels in order to do more upgrades, more parts in order to do more reels, and so forth and so on.

My wife is starting to ask if I am selling any after I restore them?
Should we really be counting?
Forgiveness is a virtue.
Please forgive me.

A dozen, but most were rescued from an unfortunate situation free of charge.

I find vintage fishing rods just as interesting.

Not sure I shared this on this site, hope it's ok. I recently found this 5ft Heddon golden mark at a thrift store in Del Mar, Ca. I cleaned the cork handle up since this photo was taken, pretty much like new.

It was kinda hidden on the shelf behind the register. Not sure I'll ever fish with it, but you never know.

At this point finding those hidden gems means more to me than just shopping on ebay.I kinda like getting reels that need repair,provided I can get parts is the main thing.

I suppose When I own all that were ever produced from the beginning of the universe I might be getting close to 1 to many.  Maybe

Quote from: Midway Tommy on September 27, 2026, 06:11:56 PMHeck, I regularly fish with around 30 different setups.

nice, so envy

so, Tommy, what your normally fish?   trout, Bass, ??

Quote from: steelfish on October 03, 2026, 12:20:52 AM

Quote from: Midway Tommy on September 27, 2026, 06:11:56 PMHeck, I regularly fish with around 30 different setups.

nice, so envy

so, Tommy, what your normally fish?  trout, Bass, ??

Never bass, I actually nick named them "Green Carp"! Concentrate on walleye/sauger/saugeye species mainly, but also musky, northern pike, crappie, perch, blue gill/sunfish & once in awhile catfish. Most of the waters I fish have all those I mentioned plus largemouth, smallmouth, white bass & wiper, and lots of carp. We'll catch just about all of them in a given day every now and then while targeting the walleye varieties. We only keep the "eye" species, crappie, bluegill, sunfish & perch for eating. All the others get released. 

This forum is ripe for a 12-step program! Who can start us off?

I will....First Step...Keep on buying and accumulating, you'll never have too many!

Quote from: Midway Tommy on October 03, 2026, 05:48:33 AM

Quote from: steelfish on October 03, 2026, 12:20:52 AM

Quote from: Midway Tommy on September 27, 2026, 06:11:56 PMHeck, I regularly fish with around 30 different setups.

nice, so envy

so, Tommy, what your normally fish?  trout, Bass, ??

Never bass, I actually nick named them "Green Carp"! Concentrate on walleye/sauger/saugeye species mainly, but also musky, northern pike, crappie, perch, blue gill/sunfish & once in awhile catfish. Most of the waters I fish have all those I mentioned plus largemouth, smallmouth, white bass & wiper, and lots of carp. We'll catch just about all of them in a given day every now and then while targeting the walleye varieties. We only keep the "eye" species, crappie, bluegill, sunfish & perch for eating. All the others get released.

so cool and nice, musky and northen pike are a fish that are in my bucket list, I dont know the reason why I put them there LOL but they attracted me as soon as I saw their long body and ugly face also that most fishermand spend small fortune on reels and rods for those fish.

those fish are the reason I got a shimano Calcutta 400TE and musky rod to be use it as inshore setup, if they can handle a big musky, they surely can handle spanish macks, bass, and half of the fish on my local waters.

Quote from: Midway Tommy on Today at 04:53:04 PMI will....First Step...Keep on buying and accumulating, you'll never have too many!

Yeah, I'll agree with Tommy!

Yesterday I picked up a small load from an elderly gentleman and his wife.

He has enjoyed fishing and fishing gear all of his life —- but now is experiencing Alzheimer's.

Much of the gear was either only used once or twice, or never used.  He knew top-quality gear.

I didn't steal them, but did purchase the lot at a reasonable enough price to be able to offer them to our members that might be interested in quality mostly unused fishing gear —-and still make maybe 20% to 30%.

Included in this load:

Custom Lamiglas 8' Kokanee trolling rod, unused in case, 2pc
Custom 8' Loomis spinning rod, 1pc, unused
Sabre BS161,  near new, 5 1/2', 1pc
Fenwick FS66, spinning rod, 2pc, new with original paper label on cork
Fenwick Legacy, LG75S L-2, 7 1/2', 2pc, lightweight spinning rod, new
BingoBug 4' BB408 ultralite rod with a Sigma 030, both new & unused
Custom Fenwick 4' rod with Gold Daiwa Mini-Mite, both new & unused
Fenwick 4PC fly rod, unused & new
Fenwick 8', 5pc fly rod, unused & new
ABU 755 spinning reel, new
Johnson 100B 40th Anniversary labeled spincaster, green, never used, new
ABU 5500C made in Sweden baitcaster, silver, might be new
Penn 850SS, USA, unused & new.  Factory grease is stiff, doing a pre-service with full disassemble.

And a few other new or near new quality rods

They gave me a big bag of Dubai Chocolate bars, a Buck Bowie knife, and some chocolate chip cookies. Everyone was happy, treated fairly, and a few pieces to get rid of.

Folks like this call me regularly —- since they know by my reputation and word of mouth from sporting goods retailers —- that I deal in only quality gear, pay right away, and there is no drama —- just Sold, Pass, or Counter —- then we all move on.  Quick & easy.  No games.

Our members get first shot before they go out to the general public.

Best, Fred

the 12 step process

step 1 - admit that you have too many reels

step 2 - admit that you have too many reels

step 3 - admit that you have too many reels

step 4 - admit that you have too many reels

step 5 - admit that you have too many reels

step 6 - admit that you have too many reels

step 7 - admit that you have too many reels

step 8 - admit that you have too many reels

step 9 - admit that you have too many reels

step 10 - admit that you have too many reels

step 11 - admit that you have too many reels

step 12 - admit that you have too many reels

there.  you feel better already, don't you!!!   

Quote from: alantani on Today at 07:16:37 PMthe 12 step process

step 1 - admit that you have too many reels

step 2 - admit that you have too many reels

step 3 - admit that you have too many reels

step 4 - admit that you have too many reels

step 5 - admit that you have too many reels

step 6 - admit that you have too many reels

step 7 - admit that you have too many reels

step 8 - admit that you have too many reels

step 9 - admit that you have too many reels

step 10 - admit that you have too many reels

step 11 - admit that you have too many reels

step 12 - admit that you have too many reels

there.  you feel better already, don't you!!!   

just one more reel and Im set !!   
ooh and one more fishing rod I promess