Home Forums Fishing Freshwater Heddon Pal

I found this rod at a yard sale last weekend.
I didn't know anything about them but the homeowner said he bought it new in the 60's and that it was high end stuff at the time.
A few of the threads wrapping the eye's were frayed a little (not torn or broken) so I doctored em up with some clear nail polish. Other than that it's in excellent condition.
The model numbers are worn off but I found a few that are similar on E-Gay selling for $50-$80. I paid $20. Not really sure what line it's rated for. It's 6' 4" over all. The only writing left on the label says "fast action". I plan to run some 6# mono and my old 300 and see how she does throwing spinners for Smallie's.

Anyone know anything about this brand?
Where's Odessa? He know allot about vintage fishing gear.

Dad's good fising rod back in the 50s was a Heddon Pal Spook. It was fiberglass when the rest of the family rod collection were metal. (One of these he won in a 1949 beard contest for our town's fiftieth. I still have it.) When I reintroduced him to fishing in the 80s, I used the blank and rebuilt the rod for him to use. He would catch a northern off the dock, then head up to the lodge for a Stewart sandwich and a "Blue" and wait for me to come in with the boat to show me what he had caught.

Loved those old Heddon rods. Had a Stainless Pal, a car door ate it. Also had a Mitchell 300 on it..

Just a guess but it looks like a Mitchel rod. Dad had one with his 301 attached.

Love the color of those wrappings. What a "Classic" look. Nice combo with the Mitchell 300.

Yea,, the color of the wrappings was what originally caught my eye.
Wish the labels weren't worn bare. I'd sure like to know the recommended lure weights.
The owner said he bought it for Steelhead but it's pretty wimpy compared to what the hard core Steelhead guys I know use.

I've got an old solid fiberglass baitcasting rod from the 50's that's labeled "Big Fish No.013" with a nearly new Zebco baitcaster from the same era. Thing is like a limp spaghetti noodle but Grandad said he had one just like it he used to catch catfish on.

I think printed line and lure weight recommendations are a bit more recent than that rod. But as a general rule, both lines and lures were heavier back then.

Your plan of using #6 mono sounds fine. That and 1/4-oz lures ought to be perfect.

PM wink_man, he knows a lot about old fishing gear.