I've got two old reels that I found in Chuckanut Bay while wading for crabs back in my college days at Western. Anyone know anything about them?

1. Pflueger Interocean 1885 - This is a direct drive, probably about 3 to 1, with a free spool swich. It has a clicker and adjustment knobs on both sides. Here's the best part...it has a leather pad on a swivel hinge where the thumb bar would be if it had one, and you push it down on the spool with your thumb rather than burn the hell out of your thumb stopping a fish. It's a pretty cool reel, I used it live bait fishing down in Santa Barbara, and I bet it would be good for mooching.

2. Penn No. 77 - Another direct drive, with a clicker. Green handles. That's about it, pretty basic reel.

I don't know how long they'd been in the salt, but being stainless and plastic, I took them apart and pretty much restored them. I don't salt fish much, but I bet they'd both be pretty good for salmon fishing.

I don't know if they are any sort of antique or anything, but I've never seen either one before and was hoping someone else had and could tell me what they're used for and how old they may be.

Thanks!

Fish on...

Todd.

Well, Todd, here's the scoop on your reels, from Jellison and Homel's "Antique and Collectible Fishing Reels", 1999.

The Pfleuger Interocean No. 1885 was made about 1940 and is worth about $30 in top condition. Perhaps a little more as reels have gone up considerably in the last few years.

The Penn #77 is called the "Sea Hawk" and it was made about the same time. It was marketed as an "economy reel" has little monetary value (listed as about $12 in fine condition).

Thanks, Thump...

That's about what I figured. The #77 isn't anything special, but the #1885 is a pretty cool reel. I guess I'll have to do a little more salt fishing so I can get it a little use!

Fish on...

Todd.

I have several of the #77s. They are a ball to take apart and re-build cause they are fairly simple. And they work well. I've caught a few salmon and steelhead on them from the boat. Fun.