Why I Still Love the Pflueger Rocket 1355 Reel
If you've ever came across a pflueger rocket 1355 reel in a garage sale or nestled away in your grandfather's old deal with box, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Presently there is something indisputably satisfying in regards to the pounds of that chrome plated brass in your hand. It's not really just a device for catching fish; it feels like a piece of mechanised history that actually desires to work with regard to you. While modern reels are most about carbon fiber, digital braking systems, and being as light as a down, the Rocket 1355 is a different beast entirely. It's heavy, it's bright, and it's built like a tank.
I remember the first period I truly took the close take a look at one particular. It wasn't on a shelf inside a fancy outdoor shop, but rather connected to a vintage, dusty fiberglass rod. Also after decades of sitting idle, the particular handle turned using a smooth, rhythmic click on that modern plastic reels just can't replicate. It's that will old-school craftsmanship that keeps collectors plus vintage fishing fans coming back to this specific design.
A Tank Made of Stainless- and Brass
The first issue you notice concerning the pflueger rocket 1355 reel may be the build quality. We all reside in an era where "planned obsolescence" is the usual, but back when Pflueger was pumping these out within Akron, Ohio, they clearly had a different philosophy. These reels were intended to last many lifetimes.
The particular 1355 is the level-wind reel, recognized by its stunning chrome-over-brass construction. This gives it the mirror-like finish that will, if polished upward, looks absolutely spectacular. But it wasn't simply for looks. The particular brass provided a sturdy foundation that will resisted corrosion far better compared to cheap alloys we see in budget fishing reels today. When you keep it, you really feel the particular density. It's obtained a "heft" in order to it that informs you it won't take if you accidentally drop it upon a rock or even a boat porch.
One associated with the coolest features is the "Rocket" name itself. Back in the day, Pflueger advertised these as top of the line casting machines. Whilst we might find them a bit finicky compared to a modern Shimano or Daiwa baitcaster, for their time, they were the pinnacle of distance and designs.
The Mechanics of a Traditional
If you're brave enough to consider a screwdriver to a pflueger rocket 1355 reel , you'll find a world of simpleness inside. There are usually no complicated electronics or fragile tiny springs that shoot across the table never to be seen again. Instead, you obtain solid gears and a straightforward level-wind mechanism.
The level-wind is that small guide that moves back and on as you crank, ensuring the line lays evenly across the spool. In the 1355, this particular mechanism is remarkably robust. It uses a spiral-cut worm equipment that is satisfying to watch in action. It's mechanised poetry.
The Star Drag Program
The star drag on these types of reels was a game-changer for several anglers. It enables you to adapt the strain on the line while you're fighting a seafood, giving you just enough "give" therefore the line doesn't snap, but sufficient "pull" to provide the fish in. It isn't as precise as the modern carbon-fiber move stack, sure, yet it's incredibly reliable. You can feel the clicks as a person turn the celebrity, plus it provides the very tactile link to the fish on the various other end of the line.
That will Iconic Clicker
We have to discuss the clicker. You understand that sound? That sharp, rhythmic tick-tick-tick whenever a fish begins taking line? The clicker within the pflueger rocket 1355 reel is loud and proud. It was designed intended for "still fishing" or even trolling, letting you know the instant a fish made the decision to hitch the ride on your bait while your fishing rod was sitting within a holder. It's a sound that can wake a person up from the lakeside nap faster compared to any noisy alarms.
Casting using the Rocket 1355
Let's be honest for a second: casting a vintage level-wind reel like the particular 1355 requires a little bit of practice. In case you grew up making use of modern magnetic brakes, you might find yourself in "backlash city" inside the first 5 minutes. There are usually no fancy knobs to help you out here; it's all in the particular thumb.
In order to cast the pflueger rocket 1355 reel effectively, you have to create what old-timers call "the educated thumb. " You use your thumb in order to apply light stress to the spool because the lure lures through the air, decreasing it down just before it hits the water. In case you don't, the spool keeps spinning quicker than the range is leaving, and you end up getting a "bird's nest" that will will take you twenty minutes in order to untangle.
Yet honestly? That's section of the fun. There's a sense of accomplishment when you nail a lengthy cast using a 1355. You're not depending on a personal computer chip to do the work to suit your needs; it's just a person, the gears, as well as your own coordination. When you get it best, that lure actually does fly such as a rocket.
Why People Still Hunt for Them
You may wonder why anybody would make use of an old pflueger rocket 1355 reel when you may buy a brand-new reel for fifty bucks at the big-box store. Regarding many, it's the nostalgia. It will remind them of fishing with their dad or grandpa. However for others, it's concerning the "soul" of the gear.
Generally there is an increasing community of "vintage anglers" who prefer using older tools. They find that will catching a four-pound bass on the 1950s Pflueger will be way more gratifying than catching it on a modern setup. It ranges the playing industry. Plus, these fishing reels are incredibly simple to restore.
If you find one that's the bit crusty or even green with oxidation process, a little bit of vinegar, a few brass polish, plus some fresh reel oil can provide it in return to life. You can't actually "fix" a modern plastic reel if the body cracks or maybe the armor and weapon upgrades strip, but you can almost always save a Pflueger Rocket. They were designed to be serviced by the particular owner, that is a concept I wish even more companies would provide back.
Servicing and Care
If you happen to own one particular, taking care associated with your pflueger rocket 1355 reel is pretty simple. You don't require a degree in engineering. A drop associated with oil on the particular worm gear (the spiral part associated with the level wind) and a very little grease on the internal gears once a season is usually enough to maintain it humming.
I always recommend wiping down the particular chrome after each trip, especially in the event that you're fishing in brackish water. Also though it's tough, salt can ultimately find a method to pit the finish. A quick wipe with the damp cloth and a bit of dry buffing may keep that "Rocket" shine alive for another fifty many years.
The Decision on a Tale
Is the pflueger rocket 1355 reel the particular best reel on earth for an expert tournament? Probably not really. It's heavy, it doesn't have a high gear ratio for fast retrieves, as well as the pull isn't buttery smooth like a contemporary high-end reel.
However, if you're looking with regard to a reel that has character, history, and a build quality that places modern "disposable" gear to shame, the particular 1355 is a winner. It's a discussion starter. Whenever you pull this out with the dock, individuals notice. They want to understand the story behind it.
Whether you're a collector searching for a corner piece or the "soul fisher" who else wants to sense every mechanical motion of the hunt, the particular Pflueger Rocket 1355 is really a classic with regard to a reason. This represents a time when we built things to last, and each time I listen to that clicker sing, I'm glad these types of reels are still around to inform their particular story. So, if you see a single at a flea market, don't move up. Grab it, clean it, and carry it to the water. You won't regret it.