Ocean City Salt Water Numbered Reel Page
On this page you will find the Ocean City reels that are just “numbered” and not “named”. Most are postwar models, so if you do not find your reel on this page, check out our other page on the (Ocean City Salt Water “Named” Reels). We are coming along very well so far with this site, yet we still are missing pictures of many reels.
Ocean City Reel
Here is a very early OC 250 yd. size reel, the ad is from a 1922 Moskowitz & Herbach catalog, this was a year before M&H merged with the Sturdibuilt Products Co. to form the Ocean City Reel Mfg. Co.
The “New” Ocean City No.101 and a No.114 Reels
The No.101 is a 250 yd. reel, the No.102 is 300 yd. and the No.114 is a 400 yd. size reel. These were introduced with the new at the time “take-apart” feature. Reels shown is the No.101. Notice the patent number on the bottom of the foot. Also we need to know when those vinyl bags came out?
Pictures are courtesy of Ray Hodges.
Pictures are courtesy of Ray Hodges.
Ocean City Wide Spool No.104, the No.107 and the No.104W
The No.104 is a wide spool 200 yd. capacity reel and the No.107 is a wide spool 250 yd. reel. Both are the easy to take a part reels, just like a squidder, to be able to switch spools out with different size lines fast. Both have the newer Tenite bakelite torpedo shaped crank knobs and the crank nut wrench attached to the crank handle. The No.104W is also a 200 yd. size reel, but it has the “Far Kast” feature on the top of the reel. Reel shown is a No.107, reel shown is a later version, has a wide spool with the teal green anodized color and does not have the tenite marbled crank knob. The ad pictures are from a 1940 Ocean City catalog.
Ocean City “Seattle” No.109 Reel
The No.109 is basically the No.110 but has a narrow spool. These reels were named the “Seattle” and were built for use with wire line. It came out in 1949 and was only sold for a few years. It was a 150YD capacity reel with a gear ratio of 2 1/4 to 1. It sold for $11.00. Click on the pics to enlarge and are courtesy of John Fisher.
Ocean City “Seattle” No.110 Reel
The No.110 was named the “Seattle” and came out in 1948 and was made for use as a wire line reel for deep trolling. It was called a narrow spool reel but it really wasn’t that narrow It was a 300YD capacity reel with a gear ratio of 2 1/4 to 1. It sold for $12.00. Pictures are courtesy of Daryl Rodenberger.
Ocean City No.112 Reels
The No.112 was called the Bay City and was Ocean City’s best selling salt water reel. First reel pictured below is a 250 yd. pre-war version withe the auto free spool and the Tenite torpedo shaped crank knob. Next is a 400 yd. version. Pictures are courtesy of Ray Hodges and Wayne Benson.
Ocean City No.112 Presentation Reel
This special Ocean City No.112 commemorative reel could be one of a kind. This reel was presented to an employee of True Temper to commemorate the 5 millionth reel sold. It was finished in 18 Karat Gold and had a price tag in the box of $1000.
This rare reel belongs to Cathy Kyle. Her Grandfathers name was J.C. Goddard. I asked Cathy to give us a little information on her family and she was kind enough to do so – hers what she wrote:
This rare reel belongs to Cathy Kyle. Her Grandfathers name was J.C. Goddard. I asked Cathy to give us a little information on her family and she was kind enough to do so – hers what she wrote:
J.C. and Betty Goddard were my grandparents, born in 1902. As the family story goes, Grandpa got kicked out of an Ivy League school for some sort of shenanigans, but ended up a VP at True Temper (or maybe Union Fork & Hoe Company; I’m not quite sure). He retired when there was some sort of buyout, and they moved to Florida just after Hurricane Donna.
What a place southwest Florida was back then, at Cape Haze just above Boca Grande! He and Gram fished a good bit. On the days he fished inland rather than on the open water, he’d drive his “fishing car”, a Mercedes Benz 2-seater convertible, with the poles bouncing gracefully in the air as he motored to the stocked ponds that were among the amenities at Cape Haze.
On one tarpon fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico, Grandma got a nice 135 pounder. They had it mounted and put it up in their living room. Gramp tried for years to catch one to match it. He finally gave up and had a catch mounted and hung next to hers.The plaques read: HERS – 135 lbs; HIS 13.5 ounces.
Cathy Kyle
Clermont, FL
July 24, 2017
Ocean City No.113 Reel
The No.113 is the same as the 112 but just a bit larger. Depending on what year you have it may have a silver medallion , green painted medallion or just the model number molded in the head plate. This model sold for a lot of years.
Ocean City No.143
The model No.143 was named the “St. Lucie”. Actually many model numbers were named the St Lucie over 2 different decades of reel manufacturing. The No.143 first came out in 1938 and stayed in the reel lineup for 6 years until 1942. At this time the reel had St Lucie on a silver medallion on the front head plate. Later when it shows back up again in the 1950 catalog the logo is different and just has the model number on a disk on the head plate, later to be just molded in a circle on the head plate. Below are just a few examples of the No.143 and I’m sure there are a few more variations over its approximately 8 year run.
This reel and box combo is from 1939.
This reel and box combo is from 1939.
The reel progression would have gone to this painted green and white medallion in 1950.
To this the last version with the molded in head badge before True Temper took over. Pictures courtesy of Jaco van Deventer from South Africa.
Ocean City No.162
Ocean City reused this model number from an earlier big game reel called the Balboa. This No.162 came out in 1956 and was made for use with the new Monofilament line of the day. The old construction of the reel spools were not holding up to the high pressure this new mono line was putting on them. Blue side plates, 56′-58′ catalogs.
Ocean City No.162H
Same as the No.162 reel above except with new “Starless” drag. Found in the 1957 – 58′ catalogs.
Ocean City No.163
The No.163 reel came out in 1942 was named the “Glendale”. It can only be found in the 1942 catalog and was marked Glendale on the silver medallion on the black head plate (pic 1 below). Ocean City liked to reuse names and occasionally even reel model numbers, So in 1956 a new No.163 reel was introduced. The new model No.163 now was made with attractive Blue side plates and was designed for use with heavy Monofilament lines. It was classified as an offshore trolling reel. It can be found in the 56′-58′ catalogs. Click on the pics to enlarge.
The 3 pics below of the No.163 are courtesy of Dave Prilook. Click on pics to enlarge.
Ocean City No.163H
The H added to the reel model number signifies “Starless” Drag. I’m not sure why they chose the letter H but they did. So the No.163H is exactly as the No.163 as described above with the exception of the new starless drag that came out in 1957. The 163H is found only in the 57′-58′ catalogs. 1958 was the last Ocean City catalog that has been found to date. The reel pictures below are courtesy of Jaco van Deventer from South Africa.
Ocean City No.165 Reel
A 400 yd. size reel, equipped with rod brackets. Pictures are courtesy of Arne Soland.
Ocean City No.167 Reel
Below is a No.167 with a Tee Pee muti-speed transmission attached to it. Pictures are courtesy of Jeff Johnson.
Ocean City No.903 and the No.903M Reels
Ocean City No.904 and the No.904M Reels
Ocean City No.905 and the No.905M Reels
The model No.905 was one of the last reels produced by Ocean City and carried on afterwards with the True Temper name. This reel was sold from about 1959 into the late 1960s. It is a 300YD reel and was made to fish with 20# mono line. It was designated a live bait/surf/boat reel with a fast retrieve of a 4 to 1 gear ratio. It was a mid priced model and in 1966 sold for $15.00. I believe the letter M stands for marine-aluminum fluted spool.
Pictures and reel information below courtesy of Todd Boaze.
Free Spool, Multiple Disc Star Drag, Star Drag System, On/Off Clicker Switch, Light Extra Strong Fluted Spool of Marine Aluminum , Metal Re-Enforced Sideplates, Constant Mesh Gears, Oil Retaining Bronze Bushing, Spool Adjustable From Both Sides, Highly Polished Chrome and Black Finish
Made By Ocean City Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia, Pa.
20 Pound Test Mono (300 Yards)
4.0:1 Gear Ratio
5-3/4″ width with handle X 4″ width without handle X 3″ height X 1-1/2″ spool
Ocean City No.907M Reel
The M stands for monofilament, these reels were designed with tighter spool/frame tolerences to except the thinner lines, so the monofilament would not get caught up between these areas.
Ocean City No.908M Reel
Reel is from the 1960’s, has a fluted spool and a red torpedo crank knob, should not need the leather spool brake if the star drag is working properly. Pictures are courtesy of Arne Soland..
Ocean City No.910 Reel
The difference between the No.910 and No.915 is this reel does not have the star drag.
Ocean City No.915 Reel
Similar to the No.910 yet instead it has the star drag.
Ocean City No.920 Reel
Appears to be the same as the No.915, but with a torpeto crank knob, verses the green double knobbed crank handle. Pictures are courtesy of Wayne Benson.
Ocean City No.922 Reel
Here is the No.922 “Top Sail” reel and it was sold between 1951 and at least 1958. True temper continued this model for many years after 1959 with their markings. Its a good reel to fish with even today. The 922 was a 200 yard reel and had small changes during its life span. Just click on the picture to enlarge. The 2nd reel shown is a No.922 with a Reel EZ crank handle on it. The trouble with these long handles is they do make it easier to reel up a fish from great depths, but they put to much pressure on the drive gears, that you could ruin a good reel very EZ in one fishing trip. Pictures are courtesy of Arne Soland.
Ocean City No.923 Reel
The 923 Topsail is the same as the 922 above but had a larger spool capacity and would hold 250 YDS of line. As seen in the True Temper ad below it also had many small changes during its life span and now with the new mono lines of the day held 400 YDS of line.
Ocean City No.930 Reel
The No.930 was named the “Sea Lake” and was a small inexpensive reel. 150YD.
Ocean City No.932 Reel
A 150 yd. size reel for trolling both fresh and salt water. Reel pictures are courtesy of Arne Soland.
Ocean City No.935
The No.935 was offered in the 1950’s. The pic below is courtesy of Sandi Williams. It belonged to her father. Actually she says she has 2 more of these reels that she and her husband still use today. She included some info about her dad – “My father’s name is Tim Broughton. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He worked for Martin Marietta up there, until being transferred to Orlando in 1958. He was a Marine in World War II in the Pacific. He was 89 when he passed”. The No.935 is the reel in the front.
Ocean City No.936 & 936M Reel
The No.936 came with a lightweight Zephaloy spool and the No.936M came with a regular heavily plated spool. These smaller line capacity reels were just right for bay, surf, lake and river fishing. The No.936 lasted from 1951 to 1957 and the 936M was sold from 1952 to 1958.
The first reel box shown below is courtesy of Dan Gould. The reel that was in it turned up to be an Inductor No.250, not the correct No.936. The inductor in 1955 cost $25 while the No.936 was only $9.95. The reel belonged to his father and was possibly handed down to his father from Dan’s grandfather.
The first reel box shown below is courtesy of Dan Gould. The reel that was in it turned up to be an Inductor No.250, not the correct No.936. The inductor in 1955 cost $25 while the No.936 was only $9.95. The reel belonged to his father and was possibly handed down to his father from Dan’s grandfather.
Here’s the No.936 – note the Zephaloy spool.
The reel below is the No.936M.
Ocean City No.937 “Angeleno”
The No.937 shows up in the 1955 catalog and is a Surf, Pier and Live Bait Reel. Named “Angeleno” as was the 936 and 936M. It is a 150YD reel with 1 25/32″ length pillars, weighs 14.9oz and used number 9 or 27lb test line. The smallest of the Angeleno’s.
The example shown below is courtesy of Tom Richards and it is excellent in the box with instructions. Thanks Tom for the great pics. The price on the box is penciled in at $8.95, the same price that’s in the 1955 catalog.
Ocean City No.939
Reel appears to be a 150 yd. size reel and looks a little different than any other of the OC reels of its time. May be the wrong crank handle on it?
Ocean City No.940 Reel
These No.940 series reels were sold for many years with both Ocean City and True Temper (TT) names on them and it seemed every couple years they would make a small change and would add another letter to them probably to increase the sales for the up coming year. Ad is from a 1963 TT catalog.
Ocean City No.944 Topsail Reel
Tear drop shape. Pictures are courtesy of Wayne Benson.
Ocean City No.945 Reel
Red side plates, combination salt or fresh water. You had your choice of a salt water foot or a fresh water foot, the letter F stood for fresh water foot. The difference would be the fresh water foot would just be chrome over metal and the salt water foot would be heavy chromium over brass. Pictures are courtesy of John Elder.
Ocean City No.950 Reel
The Ocean City 950 , known as the Monoline , came out in 1955 and was ocean City’s answer to the problem of the new monofilament lines of the day. The extreme pressure from the new mono lines stretching would warp and split the older spools so better spools were needed. They were also very handsome reels with the blue side plates. This is a 950 that belongs to Anthony DeVito that he inherited from his grandfather. The first ad is from 1955 , the second from 1956.
Ocean City No.961
The No.961 is a well built reel and reminds me a lot of the No.163. It was named the “seacoast” and I only know that because of reel paperwork that was found. I cant seem to find it any of the catalogs but its definitely from the late 1950’s when Ocean City was making reels to stand up to the new mono lines of the day. It was also available as the No.961H with the Ocean City exclusive “starless” drag.
This set of reels appear to be models No.961 (red or green) or No.163 (blue).
This set of reels have double stamped numbers that cant be made out. Possibly done to be sold as trade reels. The last reel is marked Montague – It is believed Montague merged with Ocean City in the mid 1930’s before these reels would have been made. These reels date to the late 1950’s.
Ocean City No.965
The No.965 was named the “Farcaster” and was another attempt from Ocean City to do away with backlashes and increase casting distance from the beach or pier. The reel has a unique looking level wind and is a very good looking reel. The purpose of the new style level wind was that it disengages when casting so that greater distance can be achieved, like casting a reel that doesn’t have a level wind but then does when retrieving.. A very important feature when casting from shore. it was also billed as the first level wind surf casting reel and had a life span of about 10 years, 1954 to 1964. The reel pictures below are courtesy of Kap Keosomphanh. Click on the pics to enlarge.
Ocean City No.981
The No.981 was named the “St. Lucie” (along with many other models). It was a very good seller and was in the reel lineup for a number of years and there are many slight variations. It was in every Ocean City catalog from 1948 to 1958 and in most True Temper catalogs as well , well into the late 1960’s. Below are many pics of the reel in what I would think is the most logical order. It should show metal silver badge, green painted badge (still riveted), model number molded into head plate, then true temper used a sticker. The No.981H was added in 1957 and had the new “starless” drag.
Ocean City No.982 Reel
Ocean City No.987 Reel
Reel has a green anodized aluminum spool and green see-thru plastic crank knobs, need description?
Pictures are courtesy of Wayne Benson.
Pictures are courtesy of Wayne Benson.
Ocean City No.990 and No.991 Reels
The No.990 is a 150 yd. reel and the No.991 is a 200 yd. reel. You may read the description for more information. The ad picture is from a 1950 MW catalog.
Pictures are courtesy of Wayne Benson and Jonathan Kring.
Pictures are courtesy of Wayne Benson and Jonathan Kring.
Ocean City No.993 Reel
A 200 yd. reel with the green anodized spool. Picture is courtesy of Dave Shaker.
Ocean City No.994 Reel
Also known as the “Hampton” or smooth caster. Round shape, black side plates, star drag, free spool, white crank knob, green zephaloy spool. Like most Ocean City reels, the 994 went through several minor changes over its lifespan. 2 slightly different reels are shown below. It lasted roughly 6 years – between 1949 and 1955 – until Ocean City introduced their Inductor line of reels and then the Hampton became obsolete.
Ocean City No.996 Reel
The reel shown has the Sportsman No795 “Starless” Drag control on it. It was also available with the more common conventional star drag. A nice useable light saltwater reel.
Ocean City No.1110 Reel
A 250 yd. size narrow spool. Pictures are courtesy of Arne Soland
