Vintage Johnson Spincast Reel Timeline
Who knew? That some people used these reels as under-spinners? At least the owner's manual has that base covered. The Model 100A can be used just so, although I don't know why anyone would want to. It was largely perception--or so I suppose. Under-spinners, or open-face spinning reels, were the norm prior to the advent of the spin-cast reel, aka closed-face spinning reels. Marketing. Some things never change. You just had to make sure you flipped the spool so that it would crank in the correct direction.
The spool flip feature could also be used in conjunction with changing the side the crank was used on for left-handed anglers as either an under-spinner or as a top spinner. Versatility has long been recognized as one of the five criterion consumers look for in tangible products.
Note too, that extra spools were also available to make line weights easily changed. Although not used much today, this was common practice with conventional spinning reels at the time. It could still be a useful feature if you had extra spools. This is another example of just how much things have changed for consumers during the ensuing half century; today anglers are far more inclined just to have additional reels or rod/reel combos loaded with different line weights.
These are the Johnson Models that I have or have had in my possession recently. I have multiples of some models. Some of them I have already blogged about and reviewed. Once I have properly reviewed, photographed, and blogged about a particular model reel to my satisfaction, I may give them as gifts, sell them and reinvest into other models that I don't have, or trade them for other models that I don' t have.
The above Century 100A has a dual-handle. Not all do. I don't know why some did and others didn't. This seemed to b more common on the Citation 110A model reels. Perhaps it was an option or an aftermarket upgrade. I hope that through the comments section of this blog that those who know these things will make them known.
I am not a collector, therefore I am not so concerned about the cosmetic appearance of the reels. I am concerned that it is all there, is original, and that it works as it should, because I actually use and review the performanceof each in typical fishing situations including comparative strengths, flaws, tendencies, suitabilities, and idiosynchrocies.
I have discovered that there are a lot more models than I first realized. There are also models that have been made for other companies, which appear under those other companies lables. One of these that I have is a gold and black Cook Premier. It appears to be a Johnson Century Model 100A. It is in near mint condition.
I don't know all of the models. Neither do I yet know definitive dates; please help.
1949-1957
Models 10 through 80 and sub-models (I have only one of these. It is a model 80.)
1959 Model 088
This one kind of blows my circuits. I am not sure on the date of manufacture, but it appears to be newer design and feature-wise than the 100 and 110. It is made of plastic. The numbers would seem to indicate that it is older than the 100, but newer than the 80. So what's up with this?
1955 Johnson Century 100
1958 Johnson Century 100A
1962 Johnson Century 100B
1956 Johnson Citation 110
1958 Johnson Citation 110A1962 Johnson Citation 110B
19?? Johnson 115
19?? Johnson 125
19?? Johnson 130 Sabra
19?? Johnon 130A Sabra
This guy is in for an eye repair. I am a Capitalist and I approve of building a multi-billion dollar industry out of bass fishing. But there really was a time when we made our own lures, or just used a colored pipe-cleaner, or a string of sequins, or virtually any random object, stuck some treble hooks on it, attached a swivel and caught nice bass. I make them for my grandkids. The commercial stick-on eyes are a special indulgence. I bought a pad of them which is lasting pretty much forever. I am superstitious about the eyes. I fancy that it may be these that bring a lure to life--in the eyes of the fish beholder. But you never know. We used to just paint them on with great fish-catching success.
19?? Johnson 140 Laker
19?? Johnson 145
19?? Johnson 150
19?? Johnson 150A
19?? Johnson 215
19?? Johnson 225
19?? Johnson 150 Commander Accucast
19?? Johnson 625
19?? Johnson 710
Comments