I Bought a Box of Crusty Zebco Reels.. Part 2

[@kater4052]

I'm a 70 y/o woman who grew up using exclusively spinning reels, as many people I knew looked down on spincasters as kid's reels. I didn't discover Zebco's until I hit 62! I was fishing with a friend and was getting bird nests and complaining. He let me try one of his Zebco 33s and I was hooked. I now fish almost exclusively with Zebco spincasters and have no desire to go back to a spinning reel. I prefer fishing for catfish or panfish using bait. Not looking for monsters, just good eaters. On Mother's Day, my DH surprised me with a new Zebco 33 Platinum, and he doesn't like fishing! Guess that's the kind of stuff that's kept me sticking with him for almost 50 years! Love your vids - specifically like your calm demeanor and NO annoying techno music.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Hi Kate. That is such a great testimonial for spincast reels. Thank you for sharing. More fishing time, no tangles means more fish.

[@timhamilton2611]

I lived in Tulsa Oklahoma when I was a kid...I remember taking a 202 to the place where Zebco started...walked in set the reel up on the counter and told them that I was having a problem with it..they reached under the counter and handed me a brand new one...gave me a smile and told me to go catch some more fish...good memories

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Zebco is great at standing behind their product. Always been that way! Cool story!

[@timhamilton2611]

@@OutFishing13Matthew I agree...I have a friend who worked at Zebco for about 25 years...I have been to her house a few times to go through what she was able to purchase with her discounts and all of the employee discounts. She still has a lot of "Made in USA" Zebco stuff...It was a good company, is a good company...I was just disappointed by their manufacturing leaving to go over seas

[@tannertuner]

@@timhamilton2611 Walmart procurement didn’t give them or any of their other “previously American” vendors much of a choice.

[@timhamilton2611]

When I was old enough and starting a family, I joined the military and moved away...21 years later, moved back and too many things had changed and not for the better...even Zebcos exchange policy

[@mikeballard862]

Thanks for the memories! The 808 is identical to my first fishing rod & reel, a Zebco fiberglass rod and the 808 loaded with 20#. Bought it from a coworker during spring of 1970, who also put me onto my first largemouth (2#) about a week later!

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Very cool! thanks for commmenting.

[@loboblanco2776]

Mi carrete favorito zebco, 50 años usando lo.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Which reel is your favorite? ¿Qué carrete es tu favorito?

[@RickMahoney2013]

Great find and great work.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Thanks. Fun project.

[@steveb3308]

It has been many years since I used Zebco reels but I enjoy your videos and expertise in repairing the reels that, as kids, we all grew up with. Keep up the vids please!

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Glad you like them! Thanks for watching

[@charlesezelljr1420]

There has probably been a million of them thrown in the trash, I no I’m guilty of throwing a few away. Now that I’m retired and have more patience and time wish I had put them up . I do have two in the shed still on rods, and after watching you I’m going to get them out and clean them up. I worked on them some when I was a kid, I would take my Grandpas reels apart and clean them. I never took the Main Gear and shaft out, but I will now. At the time all I had was three and one oil and Vaseline for the gears. Thanks for the video and the inspiration to fix the ones that I have up. I have spinning reels and bait casters now. But the Zebco reels bring back fond memories.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I am sure you will get them up and running again as long as there are no broken parts. I am always amazed how well the old reels come back with a good cleaning and new lube.

[@tomritter493]

GreAt find .matt never used a 600 series cool the black 202 is what we had in the 70s

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

The black 202 is well built. I like that one. I like the 600, but I may never use it. I think I may sell it.

[@donnadixon8991]

thank's for the video....i enjoyed it....i have a couple vintage zebco 404 like that...and few of them from the late 60's and early 70's....i can fish with them all day long with no problems.............

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Right on

[@bufordwillis2616]

You might try a heat gun on the body to bring back the plastic oils to the surface. I use that on old hard black plastic car parts which have gone grey similar to that case. Heat it slowly so you bring up the oil from inside, but not melt the plastic. Have done this on hundreds of parts, the color seems to hold for a long time.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Thanks for the tip. I can give that a try. One time I ruined an old lure with a heat gun trying to get old paint off.

[@terryporter2970]

New subscriber. Love your channel. Worked for Zebco in Tulsa, after high school. Class of 88. You would of fit in well. Keep doing what you enjoy. Pleased to of found your channel.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Thanks for subbing. I love what Zebco is doing with the new high end spin casts. Just wish they could find a way to make them in the USA again.

[@iconofsin5886]

Just purchased an old 404 and a vintage centennial 4060 rod. I had realized that the rod usually takes a 600 model, but I will have to settle for the unmatched reel.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

That is still cool to have a vintage rod to go with your vintage Zebco 404. You can join the Zebco Collectors Facebook group. They have a whole collection of old Zebco catalogs and you could find what rod went with the 404 for the correct combo.

[@raymyers6522]

I have some old zebco 33 , in great shape for sale, from 1954 up

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

cool! Thanks for commenting.

[@loucifer323]

The black 202 with the white handles is what I caught my PB large mouth bass 8lb5oz on

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Wow. That's a nice one.

[@keithnavarro2930]

Here in Minnesota, it's -5°F. Actually warm compared to the last two weeks. Good evening to watch your videos, work on a couple reels and drink a beer. Thanks.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

you are welcome. Enjoy the warm indoors.

[@jaymans3412]

Just watched this and enjoyed it very much. Thank you for a great video on servicing old reels. New subscriber to your channel.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

You are welcome. Thanks for subscribing.

[@andrewhondo]

i found the same 808 today at a flee market in the same condition ill post a photo of it on that Facebook group i just got it cleaned up and its working like new thanks for the video it helped more then you no this reel was buging me

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Good job. I love my old 808!

[@justinjdavis79]

Nice

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

thanks. Working on Zebco reels is fun/

[@wespeacock793]

Nice, I have a box of Zebco reels that need some service. Cool project once Fall passes. I no longer build models but Zebco reels are easy readers without a diagram.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Right on. Hope you get a bunch of them back up and running.

[@terryhester8836]

I have used plastic polish on old reels before and it will bring the color back and keep the plastic from being as brittle its mainly cosmetic though

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

what brand? I didn't show it in this video, but I used some AeroSpace 303 and that didn't polish it. Just a protectant.

[@FrankLadd]

@@OutFishing13Matthew Try toothpaste for plastic and a cotton rag

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@FrankLadd that is a great tip. Thanks

[@LanceRudy]

Will you fix my old zebcoreels?😊

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

The trouble is the cost of shipping.

[@ddselvig]

Matt, what model of video camera did you use to make this video? The resolution is excellent.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I can't remember. I think I may have used my Samsung phone. :)

[@oldArmyVet]

do you remember the zebco 800 hoss reel?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I have seen them, but never had one.

[@oldArmyVet]

@@OutFishing13Matthew I have my dad's old one would love to have it serviced. Be cool if I could send it to you with some money to get it back in shape .

[@markh4763]

I have an older zebco reel that is all metal- nose cone - body - everything but the push lever - what kind is it?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Not really sure from that basic description. Where was it made? China or USA. Look on the bottom of the reel seat/foot. Then look it up in the catalogs on zebcocollectors.com/.

[@markh4763]

@@OutFishing13Matthew - I will, thank you

[@huggie287]

I have two zebco 33 reels. I watched your videos and still I can't get the reels to cast I cleaned and greased them they are great reels I love them and don't want to get rid of the help please!

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

send me a DM using the About section on my page.

[@huggie287]

@@OutFishing13Matthew sorry just seen your message I'll get to it soon as I can

[@antoniosolari1013]

The gromet thing on my reel crumbled . Do you have a fix for that ?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

You can glue on a big o-ring. I use rubber cement. Look for something around the size you need at the hardware store. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5-zeKZsZaaId9E watch this

[@antoniosolari1013]

@@OutFishing13Matthew thank you . I am going to get some automotive adhesive for emblems , since they stole one off our car . Thinking that 3m adhesive will work well . Since I will have it to replace the emblem they stole on our car I thought I would try it .

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@antoniosolari1013 Great idea!

[@soupbonep]

I love fixing up old zebco reels! But I've been using reel grease and 3 in 1 oil to lube. So you don't recommend 3 in 1 oil? I do a winter tear down, clean and lube, and have had no problems with 3 and 1. Will it varnish like in the video?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

3 in 1 oil has additives to help loosen old rusty nuts, bolts, hinges and so on. If you clean it every year you are okay to use it. Most oils will have additives that will evaporate and leave a varnish; 3 in 1 being one of those. Some oils are superior and will last for years. For example high quality sewing machine oil and reel oil.

[@soupbonep]

@@OutFishing13Matthew Thanks for the info!

[@larryreese6146]

I have am old 909 reel that I got from an older cousin a long time ago and caught a lot of fish on. Everything still works, though a little noisy. But the lock slips from its connection. Any ideas? My cousin passed years ago but when I use the old reel I kind of feel a connection to him and the times he took me hunting and fishing when I was a kid.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Larry, sentimental reels are the best! I recommend you join the Zebco Collectors group and post some photos of the anti-reverse. I have never worked on a 909, but they are all very similar. It could be something very simple.

[@rickjames6948]

I have the old green 808, final reel in the video. Where can I get parts for it? Need the line brake I think it is called.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

If you have the line brake and the rubber is missing you can glue a large o-ring and repair it. They dont make replacement parts anymore.

[@waynemoody7354]

hey I'm in st.louis can i pay you to repair a zebco 808 line goes out but not reeling in seems like its missing a gear when you reel in or tell me what to do thanks wayne

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Could be a couple different things. When you take the front cone off, does the spinner head turn? Try pulling on the line a little when you start to reel in. Send me a private message by going to the ABOUT section on my main page. Send me a photo of your reel and we can discuss the issue.