I've been looking for a 7 - 8 foot rod to fish, and if I like it, to refinish. Found one in my range that was supposed to be a Southbend, 7 1/2 2 pc 3 or 4
wt, but all the SB rods I have seen described were heavier rods. Did they make a light rod?
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Southbend?
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 herefishy |
Southbend? |
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Posts: 24 07/25/2008 22:02 |
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greendrake ll |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 801 07/25/2008 23:06 |
The 7 1/2' SB were 5/6 wt rods.The only rods that South Bend made in the short length light line catagory that I'm aware of were the Cross single
built models.
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 lstshkr |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 170 07/26/2008 00:00 |
My experience is limited to the one South Bend rod I own - a 290 model, 7.5 ft, 5wt. Initially, I wondered if I needed another 5wt rod, but this 290 has been
wonderful. I also though that it would physically weigh more than my 8040 Granger, but it is a bit lighter (whereas my 7'9" Tonka Queen is heavier
than both). The SB handles itself quite nicely in "lightweight"situations, and I often find myself using it instead of my 3wt and 4wt rods. The only
downside of the rod is that i could use one more snake guide on the butt section. Otherwise, it's a dandy rod.
I don't know if you'll find a lighter SB rod - I don't have any of my resource material with me, so I can't check. Good luck, though! Dean
"I used to be clueless, but I've turned that situation around 360 degrees."
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herefishy |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 25 07/26/2008 09:11 |
Thanks for the help - I mostly just wondered if this was really a SB, as it had no labels, and from the replies I guess it could be - when I get it, it will be
fun trying all the lines on it. I can add a guide if necessary.
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Rolf Jacobsen |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 1972 07/26/2008 20:44 The COOLER |
lstshkr wrote: Dean I second your opinion on the 290. It's one of the finest tapers SB ever made IMHO. Duh! You're right about needing an extra guide. It's
true for the 291 too.
Brook Trout are God's way of reminding us everything is going to be alright. |
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cebfishing |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 440 08/01/2008 23:00 |
It should not be to difficult to verify the rod is a Southbend from the reelseat and the cork grip. Most of the model 290 are similar. If it has a
"comfort grip"cork grip it is a South Bend. Older models had a cigar grip, and the reel seat was metal instead of the newer plastic. Both are
uplocking with the turning mechamism on the very butt of the reel seat. Monitor ebay for awhile and you will probably see a few of them listed and you can
compare. Generally they are wraped in a brown/orange variegated thread. It is possible it could be a model 29 which was also 7.5ft.
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herefishy |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 37 11/27/2008 22:32 |
Just now getting back to working on this rod - it is in nice shape, and I'm eager to cast it when I get it re-wrapped. One more question about the id of it
- it does not have the comficient grip, the grip is burl cork, and the seat is an aluminum down locking cylinder over a wooden cylinder. Does that ring a bell
with anybody?
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Snowman |
Southbend? | #7 | ||
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Posts: 138 12/01/2008 02:59 |
It may well be a Southbend 290, but the grip and reelseat would appear to be replacements. I am not sure when burl cork was first available, but I have never
seen a production rod of any type (glass or bamboo) outfitted with a burl grip. The reelseat does not sound correct either for a Southbend. I suspect that
someone has previously replaced these items. This should not hurt you. The 290 is not an expensive rod comparatively and has little if any collectible value.
Outfit it with a new grip and reelseat if you want, but the most value you will add is to put additional guides on it so it will fish better. Do that and go
enjoy fishing it.
Steve Thinking back I can remember a version of the Southbend 59 which did have a grip that looked like burl, but much lighter in color. Kind of like opening a bottle of wine which has a composite cork rather than the normal cork. Think particle board as a style of manufacture. Regardless, this version of Southbend was the absolutely lowest end. Just can't remember the name on it. |
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Gnome |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 1793 12/01/2008 10:10 King of the Gnomes |
South bend used a composite/ burled grip on their lower grade models in the 40's and 50's, And there are more than a few out there that are South bend
trade rods made for Shakespeare that also had burled /composite grips.
Jeff |
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herefishy |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 38 12/01/2008 11:17 |
The grip is interesting, in that it seems to be a solid piece, not rings. Regardless, I am going to "pretty it up" and fish it, just was hoping it
was the SB 290, since people here seem to like that rod pretty well.
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uppercreek |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 314 12/01/2008 14:12 |
It may be a South Bend 260. I've seen a few. Some of the later South Bend rods had the composite grip (also the three piece model 55's) and a decal
or tag on the grip itself that usually falls off after awhile (maybe they were designed that way). The 260 is like the 290, with the same taper, except that
the cane may have a few glue lines, more water marks, etc. The company didn't want to throw away their second blanks, which were perfectly good to fish
with, or they used them for trade rods. The 260's I've seen had red wraps with no tipping. I'll try to find it in a catalog tonight.
Kevin |
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herefishy |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 39 12/02/2008 12:23 |
I'll bet that's it - there are a lot of glue lines, and it was wrapped in red.
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uppercreek |
South Bend 260 | #12 | ||
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Posts: 315 12/06/2008 13:25 |
Herefishy,
Here is a scan from my 1951 South Bend catalog: 
Kevin
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jeffkn1 |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 1749 12/06/2008 14:17 |
Can you post photos of the rod in question?
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