Barnacles Loc: Northern California

I think that it was in the 1970's when Popiel advertised the heck out of their "Pocket Fisherman". We all thought that it was a joke of an idea, although the concept of having tackle under the car seat just in case you saw some water and had a few spare minutes might not be such a bad thing.

I saw this at a yard sale and bought it for $1, it was such a memory jog that I couldn't pass it up. I took it apart and cleaned and oiled it. Inside the case, it's a spincast mechanism as you'd expect. There's some clever engineering inside, and it's not the worst quality reel I've ever seen. Certainly, it's better quality than the Daiwa AC80 that I just threw out. (I'm not putting Daiwa down, they make some good reels - but the AC80 isn't one of them. I took it out on the front lawn to try it, if functions smoothly and well - although it isn't a rig you'd choose for casting accuracy. I think I'll hang it on the garage wall.

I'm curious though - has anyone here ever used one of these, and what was your experience with it?

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

What is the idea of two rods? Not two lines? Just Sayin...RJS

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Ha I was looking at those the other day
How bout the mister microphone. Also by popiel
Great!!
It would be a blast to have a tournament and make everybody use the pocket fisherman

Jeremy Loc: America

RJS. The two eyelets are so you have 2 eyelets.

I had one when I was young. I think Brother and I got them for xmas from Grandma

Blackdog Loc: Round Rock, TX

I have fished many times without a rod and reel. We used to buy fishing line wrapped on a piece of cardboard.
I can't imagine the pocket fisherman would be any worse.
Small Tanks (ponds) and small streams always produced fish and were a blast.

BD

hacksaw Loc: Pasadena, Texas

[quote=Barnacles]I think that it was in the 1970's when Popiel advertised the heck out of their "Pocket Fisherman". We all thought that it was a joke of an idea, although the concept of having tackle under the car seat just in case you saw some water and had a few spare minutes might not be such a bad thing.

I saw this at a yard sale and bought it for $1, it was such a memory jog that I couldn't pass it up. I took it apart and cleaned and oiled it. Inside the case, it's a spincast mechanism as you'd expect. There's some clever engineering inside, and it's not the worst quality reel I've ever seen. Certainly, it's better quality than the Daiwa AC80 that I just threw out. (I'm not putting Daiwa down, they make some good reels - but the AC80 isn't one of them. I took it out on the front lawn to try it, if functions smoothly and well - although it isn't a rig you'd choose for casting accuracy. I think I'll hang it on the garage wall.

I'm curious though - has anyone here ever used one of these, and what was your experience with it?[/quote

Myself and a buddy used them at a spillway owned by a power company in Baytown,Texas. The warm water went into a shallow bay. The place was full of trout and reds and we had to cast under a fence into the spillway. We each hooked something that stripped the line and jerked them out of our hands. The next time we went we had stronger line but the fish demolished the reel. It was fun and worth a try.
Hack 🇺🇸🍺🍺

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

Not caught anything with it yet but I do have 1.

Might have to try it, it belonged to my Dad.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Had a bass tournament here one time for a charity. You had to use a Disney rod and reel.

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

Mickey Mouse set up

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

[quote=hacksaw][quote=Barnacles]I think that it was in the 1970's when Popiel advertised the heck out of their "Pocket Fisherman". We all thought that it was a joke of an idea, although the concept of having tackle under the car seat just in case you saw some water and had a few spare minutes might not be such a bad thing.

I saw this at a yard sale and bought it for $1, it was such a memory jog that I couldn't pass it up. I took it apart and cleaned and oiled it. Inside the case, it's a spincast mechanism as you'd expect. There's some clever engineering inside, and it's not the worst quality reel I've ever seen. Certainly, it's better quality than the Daiwa AC80 that I just threw out. (I'm not putting Daiwa down, they make some good reels - but the AC80 isn't one of them. I took it out on the front lawn to try it, if functions smoothly and well - although it isn't a rig you'd choose for casting accuracy. I think I'll hang it on the garage wall.

I'm curious though - has anyone here ever used one of these, and what was your experience with it?[/quote

Myself and a buddy used them at a spillway owned by a power company in Baytown,Texas. The warm water went into a shallow bay. The place was full of trout and reds and we had to cast under a fence into the spillway. We each hooked something that stripped the line and jerked them out of our hands. The next time we went we had stronger line but the fish demolished the reel. It was fun and worth a try.
Hack 🇺🇸🍺🍺[/quote]

I'm surprised about your line being stripped! When I took this thing apart, I was impressed by how much line it could hold. It could be that Popiel only put just enough line on them so that they could sell them? Also, the Pocket Fisherman had a fairly decent drag mechanism, I thouught.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Thats the one OZ

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

I got 1 of those and one from frozen.

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

Guts

jlb603

I'm with you ben b. that would be a blast!

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Nope! Never used one.