Montaque custom built 66-60

Question
I have a Montaque boat rod i beleive is for saltwater, the rod is immaculate, all eyes, new condition. On the rod just above the handle is says CUSTOM BUILT SIXTY SIX and under that is what i beleive to be the model, 66-60  6' and below that is Made in the U S A by Montaque. any help with a website or info on this rod is appreciated. I am trying to put a price to it and find out more about it. thank you

Answer
Hello Jim,

I am happy to tell you what I know about Montague. However, I cannot help with the valuation of the rod. In my recent experience with the economic conditions and such, owners have been hoping they hold that proverbial pot-of-gold and wind up disappointed, then low and behold, the messenger of the value has become the villain. So forgive my not elaborating on the value of your rod.

I have seen and worked on numerous Montague's ranging from split cane boat rods designed for coastal saltwater fishing to half-way decent split cane flyrods. Later in the history of the company (at least by name), they began manufacturing fiberglass rods and a huge variety of reels.

The business was started in the late 1800's when the Bartlett brothers bought the J.G. Ward fishing rod company and soon moved the business to Montague, Massachusetts. This is where the Montague City Rod Company was formed. The split-cane rods were some of the best mass produced rods for their time and after acquiring additional manufacturing concerns soon they began to manufacture reels as well.

In the late 1920's, the company name was changed to the Montague Rod and Reel Company. Subsequently, Montague was sold to Ocean City Manufacturing out of Philadelphia, PA. Ocean City was a contract manufacturer for numerous other company's and did however produce rods and reels under their own name "Ocean City"...many of them are still around. This is the company that began using the Montague name on "new fangled" fiberglass rods. In the mid 50's, the last name change I know of occurred and the company became known as Montague Ocean City Rod and Reel Company. I am having a bit of difficulty finding out what has become of Ocean City since the mid 1960's but I will check with some collectors that I know. In the meanwhile, I will search for an old catalogue for Montague and Ocean City to better serve inquiries similar to yours.

Is your rod split-cane or fiberglass? On your rod, if the "Custom Built Sixty Six" is hand written with pen and ink, then varnished over, you may have a truly "Custom built" rod. The builder may also have initialed or signed it. If, however it is a label, then the rod was probably mass produced. Many collectors may want a rod in what seems to be excellent condition for their collections but again, I will refrain from guessing on the value. A good little website you may check is www.oldreel.net They have a number of antique rods and reels for sale...many of them Montague. Check them out. Perhaps someone wants your gem for their collection.

Hope this helps! Sorry for the delay in answering your question.

Best of luck! Hope you get some fishing in this spring