trye temper

Question

rod   Got a true temper rod pat # 3034799 fiberglass. Was there a specific reel made for this rod believe rod is from 1956 or 1957. Sent picture of rod thank you

Answer
Hello John! Thanks for the question...

The direct answer? No...True Temper did not make a "specific" reel for this rod; at least not a specific "model".

The True Temper rod that you have...a nice piece if the picture is accurate...is a freshwater baitcasting rod and as such requires a baitcasting reel. During the time that this rod was most popular, the baitcasters were known as "knuckle busters" because they typically did not have a freespool mechanism to release the spool during the cast and allow it to spin without the handle spinning backward at the same time. This made accurate and distance casting,truly a skill.

You can find a huge number of very collectible old baitcasters from just a few bucks on e-bay to fine collector pieces for many hundreds. If I were pairing it up, I would also be looking for a True Temper reel...medium freshwater, clean it up and hang it on a wall or keep it in a display case. But remember, just try to match the era and the correct type and size reel and you will have a very cool old set-up.

By the way, you might find a club that has tournaments or derbies using old tackle that matches, ie: rod, reel , line and lures. That would be a kick in the pants!

Nice lookin old rod...take care of it because they are disappearing pretty quickly...

Best of luck and thanks again for the question!

-Mark