How many of you fisherman started with a Zebco?

[Katch66]

Yep, 202 for the first reel and thought I was prepared for anything when I got my first 33. Lol

[Aggie Dad]

Zebco 33 & one of the original Cr?me worms that was pre-rigged with 3 hooks, red beads & little spinner in front. No telling how many bass I caught in our stock tanks! Good times!!!

[Clark]

Started with a cane pole and a patient Dad who would bait the hook and take off bluegills all afternoon.

My first was an old Mitchell 300 spinning reel, I’ve never owned a Zebco.

[Texas Grown]

1960's Zebco 77 Junior combo owner for my first rod and reel. Still have it somewhere around here. Used homemade cane poles before that. But caught my first fish in 1959 sitting beside my Godmother. I was two years of age. And remember that trip. Used a rod and reel with a bobber and pickled minnows that came in a jar. She's responsible for my fishing addiction growing up.

[Goodfellah]

I did, dad had/bought us several 33s. I bought a new one around 2001 for my daughter, it had a metal housing and worked good, I still have it for grandkids when they are ready. First open face were abu Garcia 2500s.

[jerp]

While we’re on the subject my early attempts to use a bait caster was with my father’s Shakespeare Direct Drive from the 50’s all thumb, no brakes and I failed miserably. It wasn’t until high school in the 70’s that I bought an Ambassador 5000 and got the hang pretty quick. Dads reel:

[elhefe]

Never knew that history. Thanks for that and yes my first fish was with an old zebco

[mikemorvan]

Zebco 33 & one of the original Cr?me worms that was pre-rigged with 3 hooks, red beads & little spinner in front. No telling how many bass I caught in our stock tanks! Good times!!!

Those Creme worms were greatness. Headed to the water w/ your Zebco 202 and ONE of those magic worms and you were ready for the day.

[Big pig]

My first bass was with my Zebco and a “Jitterbug”.

I swear those jitterbugs caught more fishermen than fish.

[xman59]

1960's Zebco 77 Junior combo owner for my first rod and reel. Still have it somewhere around here. Used homemade cane poles before that. But caught my first fish in 1959 sitting beside my Godmother. I was two years of age. And remember that trip. Used a rod and reel with a bobber and pickled minnows that came in a jar. She's responsible for my fishing addiction growing up.

most of these guys must be really young the zebco 77 was were I started also. To put line on it you had to fold the handle back over the spool cover... i did move up to the 33 and still have 2 of them, actually three and one of them most people have never seen, it had a round ball on the back instead of a push button! I have that along with my father in laws old split bamboo fly rod and a sold steel fishing rod from him! I will have to do some digging and see if i can get some pictures of the round ball 33 and the steel rod to post

[W-O]

I started out with a zebco 77 trolling hellbenders on Sam Rayburn for black bass in a 14ft Jon boat powered by a 51 5hp Johnson. I actually caught a 6lb plus bass on that little rod and reel. It took forever to get it in. I saw it at my Dad's house a while back.

[scotty]

This was my Dad’s reel. I tried it and gave up.

[AtTheWall]

I started on a Mitchell 300 and a Alcedo Micron spinning reel.

Here's the Alcedo Micron - Italy.

[SaltwaterSlick]

What a great thread!!

[muy grande]

I actually started with a cane pole with a porkipine quill for a bobber. Then Zebco 202, then a Zebco 33. I was so proud.