Old casting rods

Question
QUESTION: I just obtained three old casting rods and wonder if you can give me some information on them.  One is a Heddon Pal bamboo shaft #3151-5-L, the second is TrueTemper Dynamic speedlock fibreglass shaft, the third is TrueTemper speedlock with square aluminum shaft.  All three have cases.
Can you give me any information or tell me where to find information?  I will appreciate your help.

ANSWER: Hi Bill,

First, I'm going to guess that the Heddon pal is not bamboo, but extruded steel painted with a faux bamboo pattern.  I have not seen that model number in the heddon lineup of bamboo casting rods.  However, I have seen the "Pal" designation on both steel and fiberglass rods and I have seen the steel "Pal" rod painted to look like bamboo.

I would guess that unless the True Temper rod is marked as aluminum, then it is also steel.  A square shaft indicates a solid steel rod to me, but I've been wrong before and it could be aluminum.  The fiberglass rod is the newest of the three probably dating to the 1960s or so with the others around the 1930s-1940s.

Value depends on condition so I'll list both Good-Very Good and Excellent-Mint condition ratings for the rods.  Older casting rods do not enjoy the higher collector values we see on fly rods from the similar time frames.

Heddon Pal......G/VG  $20-$25.....E/M $40-$45

True Temper Glass...G/VG $10-$20....E/M  $25-$35

True Temper Steel...G/VG $10-$20....E/M  $25-$35

Thanks,  Joe

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your response.  I was a little disappointed to find that what I thought was bamboo was just paint.  You were right that the shaft was steel and the square True Temper is also steel.  They are all in very good to excellent condition.  

Both True Tempers have canvas covers and the Heddon has a tube covered in what looks like black painted canvas.  Do the cases add any value?

Do you have any knowledge of lures?  I have a Lazy Ike original "Sail Shark", series 200 in original box and a Cordell "Boy Howdy" series 4100 with plastic box.

Thanks again for your help and prompt response.

Bill

Answer
Hi Bill,

Well, even if it were bamboo, the casting rods don't have the vlaue to collectors that fly rods do so you would have been looking at maybe double the value.

The tubes or cases will help the rods in value by keeping them towards the higher end of the ranges for the rod's actual condition.  Condition of the case or tube also is considered.

Lures are not really my area of expertise.  With the original boxes they should be worth more.  You might want to resubmit the lure question and direct it toward one of the other fishing experts.

Thanks,  Joe