old fiberglass rod

Question
QUESTION: i have A rod my dad gave me he said its a Shakespeare but its a off set spinning rod where the line is inline with the eyes its had a 202 on it since i can remember the handle an cradle for the reel is  made of cast aluminum or magnesium an the rod is fiberglass it used to have a cork handle an on the inside bottom where the reel sits it is locked down with a single aluminum ring it says gulf stream there under the reel  any help on identifying this rod  would be greatly appreciated

thanks marvin

ANSWER: Hi Marvin,

This sounds like an older casting rod.  The 202 is a spin/cast reel which is the closed face type that can be used on a casting rod.  The handle section is cast metal, but I don't know for certain what sort of  metal.

Is the solid fiberglass or hollow fiberglass?  What color is the glass? Are there any other markings like a number?

I looked through the Shakespeare vintage rod list on their web site but could not find a model called "Gulf Stream".  I did find a Gulf Coast, but not Gulf Stream.

I assume this is a 5' to 6' rod and that it probably dates from the 1960s or 1970s.  These early glass casting rods are not praticularly valuable as there are many of them around and the demand just isn't there for them.  Probably $10-$20 in very good condition.  Yours is missing the cork and would likely not be one that would sell.

Thanks,  Joe

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

QUESTION: its clear solid fiberglass with stainless eyes 5 of them no markings anywhere just the gulf stream on the handle

thanks marvin

Answer
Hi Marvin,

Thanks for the additional info.  My best guess would still be the same as before.  It probably had some writing or decals on it originally but they have rubbed off over the years.  Pretty common.

The solid glass rods are incredibly durable.  I have a couple of them from when I was a kid.  My first fly rod at age 7 was a solid glass rod. I'm sure I have caught at least a million fish on it and it still works.

Since you got this from your dad, you may want to have a local rod builder replace the cork grip and use it.  Any of the local tackle shops can probably give you the name of soemone who can do this.

Thanks,  Joe

p.s.  yes, a million...fishermen do not exaggerate when discussing fish they have caught.