Ocean City fishing reels?

Waterfish · 01-03-2003, 10:45 AM

A relative just gave me an old fishing reel that he got years ago at a garage sale. The reel is still in the original box and it looks like brand new, but the box looks old. It is an "Ocean City No. 922 "Topsail" reel. It is a pretty big level wind reel with a star drag. I am thinking of mounting it on a rod and setting it up as a spare sturgeon reel for friends who may go fishing with me that don't have a sturgeon set up. Does anyone know how old this reel is or if the company is still in business? If it has collector value maybe I would be better off keeping it in mint condition and using another reel for a spare sturgeon reel...

The Fishing Geek · 01-03-2003, 02:44 PM

If I remember correctly Thumper is a local expert on old tackle. Maybe cuz he was around when it was made.

Seriously, drop him a note.

Scott B · 01-03-2003, 02:49 PM

One other thing you may want to do is to take it to the Sportsmans show. Some of those guys that have the old fishing gear may be able to tell you more about it. If it is old and a family member gave it to you, then it's worth its weight in gold. My grandfather gave me his old tackle box full of old stuff. I have no idea of value in it and don't care to. It's worth more to me just sitting there than it would be not having it.

Bait O' Eggs · 01-03-2003, 02:57 PM

Keep an eye on this and see what they are worth. Starting at 9.99 I would guess it is not a collectors reel, but yours is new. :smile:

ocean city 922

HOGTIDE · 01-03-2003, 03:00 PM

I know e-bay is loaded with old Ocean Citys. I have a couple from my dad. A nice keepsake but I have never seen an impressive price tag on one.

I'd keep it and use it. It's an enjoyable classic.

BigWaterBigFish · 01-03-2003, 03:30 PM

Father and I both have Ocean and Bay City reels that we have got at estate and garage sales (usually pay between $10 & $20 for them) ... Ollie Damon's still has parts but take long time to work on ... they are really strong reels, as good as the Penn 309 or old Plueger's. I think you can use the newer ceramic washer's for drag replacement which wear better than the old one (comparable star drags). Take the box and directions and store them away, seal them in a ziplock if possible as they are valuable for display/ collector/ resale ... then cinch that reel on to a pole and set hook on them 'gators.

Waterfish · 01-03-2003, 06:40 PM

Thanks for the information. It sounds like its not a valuable old reel, so I think I will go ahead and set it up for sturgeon. It is such a pretty reel I may just use it myself and use my new Penn for the backup reel. I forgot to mention, in these days when most new reels are made overseas, the Ocean City was made in Philadelphia, PA. Really fine workmanship! I couldn't find any patent dates on it and so I have no idea of how old it is.

Small Fry · 01-03-2003, 11:11 PM

I'll make you a deal so you don't have to worry about it. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] I have a Penn 309 in good shape that would make a great back up reel. Lets just swap.

Just kiddn ya!
Some of the old fshing gear is worth alot of $$$. Depending on how old it is I would say keep it in mint condition. I have one old reel thats worht $100 bucks or so. If I had the box it would be worth 3 times that amount