It returns more quickly because the rod isn't bent as far.
Posted on 04/16/2026 2:53:46 PM PDT by Paul R.
I tried to post this and it seems to have disappeared for no reason, nothing about it being deleted, etc., so, I'll try again!
Here’s the mystery:
I have tried asking web searches (Brave and Google) to identify a one piece fiberglass fishing rod I picked up at a yard sale a couple years ago. The model appears to be “151C”, followed by “5” and then illegible (likely refers to the rod’s length of 5’ 4-1/2”), then the brand (I assume) is “L” “illegible”, a tall letter, possibly a “d”, then(I think) an “e”, then “ll” (lower case “LL”), then on “o” or a “u”, then either a “u”* or a wide “n”. The reel seat / handle is detachable, with a cork grip @ the end.
This is just a fishing rod, not a combo rod ‘n reel.
No dice on the searches. MAYBE Picture It or Google Lens might have a chance? The "Fishing Talks" Forum I was a member of, “Fishing Talks”, is defunct, so, that’s out. (It had a lot of great old-timers on it.) Possibly I could try joining another forum. I do not have a good way to post my own pics on FR. What’s a good, no ads, non-intrusive & privacy oriented photo host these days? (FR is about the only place I’d ever need it — about once a year, maybe, outside of perhaps the Garden Threads!)
Best way to proceed?
I should have said “medium action for an older rod”. Action refers to how quickly a rod returns to “straight” from a “bent” (curved) position, not how flexible or heavy duty it is.
Modern rods can be very “quick”. One thing that crosses me up a lot in casting is that I have a big variation in rod flexure and action even within rods nominally rated for similar line weights. Then there is grip length and more, and then often in an evening I may have a “hefty” combo out for catfish and another still in use for bluegill. More so if bank fishing in KY, as many location allow 3 or more line fishing, so, I might have 3 rods out, spaced 50 ft. apart or so, along a pond bank, and a 4th with me “roaming” as I try to find hot spots. Occasionally that results in some mad scrambles. (Stationary rods will be belled and in rod holders.)
Trout sometimes bite well into an evening in some waterbodies, so, then I may have a rod out for catfish and another for trout. (These are typically 2 line maximum trout ponds, but some get stocked with catfish too.)
Once in a while I change reel types too: baitcasting is a lot different than spinning is different from spincasting, and then fly casting is an entirely different planet!
Anglers who stick with high performance favorites can cast much more accurately, consistently, than I. OTOH, if one goes to our nearest trout “pond” (big pond) with a fly rod, and a big channel cat happens to inhale your offering, you have quite a task on your hands.
That said, my Dad, while fishing for bluegill, once landed a 26 lb. channel cat on a fly rod. His “salvation” was that the pond was so small, he could keep running around it and never quite ran out of line to play out.
It returns more quickly because the rod isn't bent as far.
much better photo of the guide,yeah its old school steel no telling how old it is likely lots older than i thought.the tang only referres to a recess at the bottom of any cork grip that accomodates a butt cap,usually size 20.I have several hundred of them in stock. Cork is still popular although eva is what most rods have for grips.
Catch you later,im gonna go bft fishing toorrow. blackfin tuna.
Good stuff. I didnt know any of that.
I thought the steel rods were far older than that. Guess I was wrong.
Shakespeare wound up making a lot of clear solid glass blanks which became a forerunner of the ugly stik. It’s is still in use today. Only it goes under a dozen other names. But, they are all solid glass tip sections with a hollow glass butt. Today they come in all lenghts,all tapers and strengths almost an endless array.
There’s always more to learn, isn’t there!
:-)
There is more to it than that. You can have a light duty rod that is “fast action” but still bends a lot with a big fish on - if it doesn’t snap, that is. “Action” is actually a function of taper design, AND mechanical resistance (damping / internal friction), AND flexibility (spring constant.)
May the luck be with you! ;-)
I should maybe take along my Johnson “Force 525”, but, I have a cleaned up Shaky 1777 all ready to try out. To my surprise, it appears to handle 14 lb. line very well. A #5 snap swivel is enough weight to pull line out of it, on an old 6’ Ugly Stick rod..
:-)
Yeah you never really stop learning. I have built or supervised the buildling of close to 350,000 rods over 50 years and I still learn stuff.
Leaving now boat leaves the dock at 6:45 to go 20 miles offshore in search of dolphin,blackfin tuna and maybe a wahoo.
350,000 is pretty impressive!
I think I am jealous! ;-)
I really SHOULD be weedwhacking, or at least trying to fix the push mower! The “yard” is taking off like crazy!
Yard not tall enough for mowing. Did a little weedwhacking though up close to the house around rosebushes, the garden, etc. Beautiful day today. I have a push mower in good shape. My neighbors son did the grass all last summer and he is on board with this one too.
Sorry for your loss. My late FIL taught me how to fly fish and then taught me how to build my own rods and how to make repairs in the field.
His philosophy was that if your going to fly fish, your going to break your rod, so best learn how to build/repair them.
I taught my dad those same tricks. He was confined to a wheel chair but he loved to fish. Problem was packing his gear to his fishing spots and inevitably he would get his rod tangled up in his wheels.
After the lessons, he saved a ton of money not buying several new rods every year.
Fish on dad!
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