At 60 years old I still remember my first rod and reel—shiny and silver, with a big red bow on the package. My Zebco 202 was about to open a whole new world of casting and fishing far beyond the limits of the little cane pole I had used my first summer of fishing on the lake.
I don’t recall if I was eight, nine or 10 years old, but I do remember what that sporting equipment did for my angling prowess. My Dad attached a rubber weight to the line and together we went out to the beach where he placed a swimming tube about 30 yards away. He then showed me a proper casting technique and advised me that “practice makes perfect.” I cast that rubber weight all day, until I could drop it in the tube at will. From then on I was able to “fish” for fish, and not simply wait for fish. Looking back I realize there was much more that the Zebco 202 taught me. It taught me to take care of my equipment, to keep it dry and lubricated, to understand that when something broke on it, that with just a little patience, the right tools (a screwdriver, pliers, and file) that it could be repaired… by me. It taught me resourcefulness and it developed my mechanical aptitude. The beauty of the Zebco 202 is it’s mechanical simplicity. Even a 10 year old can repair them. The parts have always been, and continue to be easy to get. I have at one time or another repaired or replaced nearly every moving part on a Zebco 202.
Although I’ve long since upgraded my fishing arsenal, I will always have fond memories of my outings with the Zebco 202. Whenever asked what the best starter rod and reel for kids is, I always recommend it. It’s funny that in this era of change, that we all exist in today, that some things never change, and the gift of a Zebco 202 to a youngster looking to learn about fishing will likely be as appropriate today and tomorrow as it was a half century ago. Few inventions can make that claim. My hat goes off to the W.C. Bradley Company out of Columbus, Georgia, and thank you for continuing to make this wonderful angling treasure available to generation after generation of beginner anglers.
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