The Ocean City Salt Water “Named” Reel Page

  On this page we will be adding some of the salt water reels that OC made and they made many.  Also they made many trade reels for other companies.  On the early prewar named reels and a few of the postwar reels we will be staying in alphabetical order on them.  On the later no named numbered reels,  we show them in a some what of a numerical order in the “Ocean City Numbered Salt Water and Big Game Reels” page.  We need help here from you,  please let us know if you see an error,  have a reel that is not shown here,  or if you have more info.  As our site grows we will add the descriptions from the correct OC catalogs to improve this site,  so we all can learn and enjoy.

  Our goal here on this page is to try to acquire as many OC named reels with their original ads and descriptions.  Plus some real pictures of the reel,  box and paperwork if we can.  This page is starting to fillup.  So keep checking back to see this site grow.

  Here is an ad from a Nov.1923 Sporting Goods Journal,  it tells of the merger between Moskowitz & Herbach and the Sturdibuilt Products the beginng of the Ocean City Mfg. Co.  The ad is cropped in half so you may be able to read it better.  Ads are courtesy of Don Champion.

  Here is a yardage chart from the 1932 OC catalog,  also showing the front cover of it and a front cover picture
from the 1940 OC catalog.

Here are some of the features that come with some of the OC salt water reels.  The Free Spool and the Farkast features.

  The No.171 is a 1/0 size reel,  the No.172 is a 2/0,  the No.173 is a 3/0 and the No.174 is a 4/0 size reel.  The No.177 is a wide spool 200 yd. and the No.178 is wide spool 250 yd. size reel.  All these versions have the new Tenite bakelite torpedo shaped crank knobs and the crank nut wrench attached to the crank handle.  First ad picture and descriptions are from a 1941 Ocean City catalog.  Next ad picture is from a 1940 Ocean City catalog for the wide spool version.  Last pictures show a postwar version of the No.936.
Pictures are courtesy of Wayne Benson.

    No.112 is a 250 yd. reel and the No.113 is a 300 yd. reel.  The No.221 is a wide spool 200 yd. and the No.234 is a wide spool 250 yd. size reel.  The next few versions have the Far Kast feature on top of the reel,  marked with a W after the reel number.  The No.201W is a 150 yd.  the No.112W is a 250 yd. and the No.113W is a 300 yd. size reel.  Box shown is one of the first OC reels,  no number on the box.  First ad is from a 1932 Ocean City catalog.  Next catalog and the last ad picture and description are from a 1950? Montgomery Wards catalog.   An earlier No.112 with the box. These later Bay City versions came with the crank nut wrench attached to the crank handle.  Next reel with the black bakelite side plates is a No.113.
Pictures are courtesy of Bud Chaddock,  John Elder,  Jeff Johnson and Arne Soland.

Here is another Bay City a No.112W 250 yd. version.  The tension adjustment is on the tail plate.

Big game reels,  the No.165 is a 400 yd. reel and the No.167 is a 600 yd. reel.  Ad pic and description are from a early 1950’s MW catalog.  When we aquire the original Ocean City catalogs,  we will switch out the descriptions.

Ad with picture is from a 1935 Ocean City catalog.

I’m not sure this reel was cataloged. This particular reel box was found with a 1941 catalog and an Ocean City 981 reel. I would like a pic of the correct reel if someone has one.

  The No.181 is a 150 yd. reel,  the No.182 is a 250 yd. and the No.183 is a 300 yd. reel.  Features are the free spool and the star drag.  Reel shown is a Boca Grande with special drag system replacing the original tail plate,  says “UTAH”  Made in Salt Lake City,  not sure what the number 5 means?  a 250 yd. size reel.  Probably set up for Tarpon fishing years ago?  Ad picture is from a 1940 OC catalog.
Reel pictures are courtesy of Paul DeGaeta.

  Three different versions of these.  No star drag on them either.  Reel shown is a early No.101,  with the 250 yd. spool capasity,  has brown bakelite side plates, free spool,  wood crank knob and a 250 yd. spool capacity.  One picture shows three different boxes with the same reel number.  Next reel is also a No.101 but has the later so called “Auto Spool” free spool lever.  First ad picture is from a 1932 Ocean City catalog.  Next is from a 1941 OC catalog.
Reel pictures are courtesy of Wayne Benson and Jeff Johnson.

  The No.210 is a 150 yd. reel,  the next versions are wide spools  No.204 is a 200 yd.,  the No.207 is a 250 yd. size reel.  These chromium plated over German silver,  easy to take-a-part reels.  Ad is from a 1932 Ocean City catalog.  Reel with box shown is the No.210.

The Catalina was sold from 1938 to 1942 and like many Ocean City reels of the day had all the features you were looking for in a saltwater reel including a star drag and automatic free spool lever. In 1938 the No.145 (250Yd) sold for $5.75 and the No.146 (300YD) was $6.35 – on the higher end of similar reels Ocean City was selling at that time. The Catalina was double multiplying, heavily chromium plated and the side plates were reinforced for extra strength. The reel pic below is courtesy of Greg Fredrickson. His reel is in the box with the guarantee card dated July 4th 1941.

The ads below are for the Catalina and taken from the 1941 Ocean City catalog. If you notice the price for this reel went down a bit to $5.50 for the No.145 and $6.00 for the No.146.

  The No.108 is a 250 yd. reel and the No.116 is a 300 yd. reel.  These Chelsea’s did not come with the star drag feature.  Next versions are later reels,  the No.222 is a wide spool 200 yd. and the No.224 is a wide spool
250 yd. size reel.  The next few versions have the Far Kast feature on top of the reel and do not have a star drag either.  The W stood for the Far Kast feature,  this feature is pictured below on how it works. The No.205W is a 150 yd. the No.108W is a 250 yd. and the No.116W is a 300 yd.size reel.  First ad is from a 1932 Ocean City catalog.  the next two ad pictures are from a 1940 Ocean City catalog and the last ads are from a 1941 OC catalog.     The Far Kast versions of four Ocean City models were offered for sale from 1939 to 1942. They were surf reels and most found today are heavily used and show it. To find one new in the box is a rare find, (like the one shown below!) especially the small Chelsea,. Model 108W. Most Far Kast reels found on today’s aftermarket are Bay City models with the optional casting mechanics installed.  “Notice the metal hang tag”
Pictures are courtesy of Mike Cacioppo.

  Black bakelite side plate inserts,  two thumb screw take down,  free spool,  star drag,  anodized teal colored spool,  250 yd. capacity.   Ad pics and info are from a early 1950 MW catalog.

The No.205 is a 150 yd. reel and the No.206 is a 100 yd. size reel. Appeared in the 1935 Ocean City catalog. 

This reel does not have a number,  it was just called the “DC”,  a 400 yd. size reel.  Ad is out of the 1935 Ocean City catalog.

  A nickel silver (or as NS) 250 yd. reel.  Also showing the inside mechanism of the head plate.  The add is from a 1922 Moskowitz & Herbach catalog,  we cropped it so you may be able to read it better.  Next two reels show different star drags on these Dover Clubs.
Pictures are courtesy of John Elder and Joe Klaus

This Dover Club has the Pflueger Williams Drag attachment on it.  Pictures are courtesy of Joe Klaus

The Ocean City Dover Club was part of the first offerings from the Ocean City Manufacturing Company and was available from about 1924 to 1929. It was a model first offered by Moskowitz & Herbach in the the early 1920’s. In both the ads I have seen for the reel it says it has a “star shaped drag” and just looking at it you would say it does. But all the reels I have examined (about 10) the wheel does not turn and the reel has no drag adjustment. It does have a free spool lever , no tool takapart feature and bait clicker – but no drag.
This particular reel has a cracked back plate and was repaired by a talented individual. I always love to discover who was the original owner of a reel and in this case I did. Like many immigrants of this time period this is probably a story very similar to their own.
The reel shown below is owned by Bill Edmunds of Clearlake California and has been in his family for about 80 years. Bill was kind enough to share his family’s story with us.  The reel  belonged to his Grandfather, Max Brunner. Max was born in Switzerland and came to America by himself and lived in New York, New York. When he was able, he arranged to have his mother and two sisters brought over to the USA.  They eventually settled in San Francisco where he worked for the Steinway Piano Company as a builder and piano tuner. Bill’s family has pictures of Max traveling by horse drawn wagon with a concert pianist and a full size concert piano loaded, vertically, in it.
In 1923 Max purchased two lots in Lake County, Ca, where he summered with his daughters staying in a crude fishing cabin constructed from piano crates.
Max was an avid Black Bass fisherman and fished on Clearlake regularly although Bill believes that this Dover Club was probably used in Saltwater around San Francisco and not Clearlake.
Upon Max’s death this reel and several other fishing pieces were passed on to Bill’s mother, Mathilde Brunner Edmunds. The reel was found in an old metal tackle box at the Lake County property. Bill ended up with the reel and intended to pass it on to one of his sons. Bill turned it over to his youngest son Robert but retrieved it back when his son was moving and really had no place for it. Finally Bill decided to do some research on the reel and sell it to a collector who would appreciate it and keep the story of his family’s past alive. Thank you Bill for sharing.

Max made an expert repair on the reel as seen in the pics below. Many people back in that time period fixed what they had out of necessity and had the skill to do so. Today that probably wouldn’t happen.

The last picture shows Bill as a child with his Grandfather Max sometime around 1940 with Clearlake in the background.   Click on pics to enlarge.

  These have aluminum side plates,  with the two thumb screws on the face plate to take it apart quickly,  the No.133 is a 150 yd. reel,  the No.134 is a 250 yd.  and the No.135 is a 300 yd. reel.  Reel shown is the No.134.  Ad picture and descriptions are from a 1941 OC catalog.  Reel pictures are courtesy of Mike Stone. [With apologies the image files need to be replaced].

A light tackle 150 yd. size reel,  black bakelite side plates,  free spool with a white torpedo shaped crank knob,
Pictures are courtesy of Wayne Benson

     The first reel shown is the first model Fortesque , No. 103 , 250 YDS and is shown with a scarce box. It was sold approximately from 1925 to 1930 and has a free spool and black painted side plates and is made from German Silver.
The 2nd reel shown is how they are commonly found after they have been cleaned and all the black paint has been removed. The German Silver shines up really well but I like them with black paint and patina !
The 3rd reel shown is the 2nd version Fortesque , No 103 ,250 YDS. Now a completely different reel with the take apart feature and a gun metal finish. It was sold between 1936 and 1940 and came it 2 sizes , the No 103 (250YD) and the N0 127 (300YD) reels.
Pictures are courtesy of  Jeff Johnson, Mike Stone, and Wayne Benson.

   First is the earliest Free Spool version,  the No.250 a nickel silver 250 yd. spool capacity reel.  Next is a later nickel silver version also a 250 yd. size reel.  Next pictures are of a No.300 a nickel silver 300 yd. size reel.
The next reel is a chrome No.101 with the box.  The next two reels are the 300 yd. versions,  one with a star drag and one without.  The next reels are the 250 yd. reels with no star drag,  some of these have serial numbers as shown in the last few reels,  Jeff Johnson seems to think that these were made in the mid 1920’s and only on these types of reels,  yet know one seems to know why?  These old OC nickel silvers will polish very nicely as seen with Rick Heitman’s reels below.   Pictures are courtesy of Rick Heitman and Ray Hodges.

Here are acouple of polished Nickel Silver reels from a man who can really make these old OC’s look very good!

The No.992 is a 150 yd. size reel,  the No.993 is a 200 yd. reel and the No.994 is a 250 yd. size reel.  Ad pic and description are of the No.993 and from a early 1950 MW catalog and some adds from a 1955 OC catalog.  Reel shown is the No.994.  A quick-take apart with extra spool, considered a squidder.
Pictures are courtesy of Wayne Benson.

  The No. 211 is a 200 yd. size reel. The No.106W is a 150 yd. with the Far-Kast feature on it and neither one of these reels has the star drag.  First ad is from a 1932 Ocean City catalog.  Last ad picture is from a 1940 Ocean City catalog.  

The No.185 is a 150 yd.size reel,  the No.186 is a 250 yd. and the No,187 is a 300 size reel.  In 1940 the price range on these reels was from $4.00 to $5.00.

  The No.100 is a 250 yd.  the No.102 is a 300 yd.  No.105 is a 300 yd.  No.114 is a 400 yd.  and the No.210 is a 150 yd.reel.  The first versions pre- 1932 were NS and the later just marked Ike Walton were chromium.  First reel pictured is a No.102.  First ad picture is from a 1932 Ocean City catalog.  Next ads are from a 1941 OC catalog.  Next are two Ike Walton Club reels,  both are 300 yd.size reels,  yet different variations.  Next are some pictures showing a 250 yd. version with the box and hang tag and no reel number on the box.  Last is a later 1955 version of another IKe Walton.  Reel pictures are courtesy of John Elder and Jeff Johnson.

  The No.910 says it has the crank nut wrench fitted on the handle,  not sure on this one,  we do not see it in this ad picture?  Both reels are 150 yd. reels,  yet the No.920 has the star drag and the torpedo crank knob.  Read descriptions for more info.   Ad pic and description are from a early 1950’s MW catalog.  We have the box only for the No.920.  We show pictures of the No.910 and the 915 under the Numbered Reels above in the navigational window.

The Inductor line of reels were super high tech for their time and are neat collectable reels today. I personally have not cast with one yet but plan on giving it a try someday and will give some feedback once I do.
The Inductor came out in 1949 and was the creation of an Ocean City – General Electric collaboration. OC worked with GE during WWII making components for the war effort. What Ocean City was making is still a mystery but I like to think whatever it was they used that knowledge to better their reels after the war.  The Inductor was acclaimed as the greatest advancement in surfcasting reels since the free spool. The principal of controlling backlash through magnetic induction was born.

Inductor No.249 – 150YD reel – offered 1950 to 1954. Sold for $22.50

Inductor No.250 – 200YD reel – offered 1949 to 1958. Sold for $25.00

Inductor No.251 – 250YD reel – offered 1950 to 1955. Sold for $27.50
Inductor No.255 – 200YD reel – level wind – offered 1954 to 1956. Sold for $35.00

In 1958 you could order the Inductor No.250H which had the starless drag handle.
In 1951 the Inductor was available in a left hand model – custom built for $1.00 extra.After the pics of the Inductor I’ve included pics of what I believe is a prototype or possibly another similar reel Ocean City was working on called the “electric Impulse” reel. Its the only one that’s surfaced to date.Pictures are courtesy of Ray Hodges, John Taylor, Rick Heitman and John Elder. Click on the pics to enlarge.

This is considered a prototype that never went into production. Its an all metal reel and was probably designed and worked on during WWII. Its my belief it was the precursor to the Ocean City Inductor shown above. This reel was purchased from a fellow who worked for True Temper and stated he received it from an old Ocean City MFG Co. employee. Click on the pics to enlarge.

Ad is from a 1948 Ocean City catalog.

Basic reel, has the free spool and no star drag and it has a wood crank knob.

Ad with picture and description is from a 1935 Ocean City catalog.  Reel pictures are courtesy of John Elder.

  Salt water reel brown bakelite side plates,  wooden crank knob,  250 yd.  no free spool or star drag.
Reel pictures are courtesy of Ray Hodges.

Two versions,  both are free spool only.  The No.192 is a 250 yd. reel and the No.193 is a 300 yd. reel.  Descriptions are from a 1941 Ocean City catalog.

Ad is from a 1941 Ocean City catalog.

Need description of this reel?   Pictures are courtesy of Mark Romero.

  These are the easy to take-a-part reels.  The No.101 is a 250 yd. reel,  the No.102 is a 300 yd. reel and the No.114 is a 400 yd. size reel.  The ad picture is from a 1932 Ocean City catalog.  Last pictures would be of a later version after 1932 with the “Auto Spool” lever.
Reel pictures are courtesy of Rick Heitman and Ray Hodges.

The Quaker City was available in 1931, the first Ocean City catalog found ( It may have been available before that year ) and lasted until 1937. At least a 6 year span. The No.201 is a small 150 yd. reel and the No.202 is a very small 100 yd. reel.  In 1931 only the No.201 was available and it sold for $7.50. In 1932 the No.202 is added and it sells for $6.50. By 1935 the No.202 is only $5.00 while the No.201 is $5.50, a sign of the poor economic times.
Its touted as a light saltwater reel and is triple multiplying. It has all the features of the larger reels and was designed to fill the need for the sport of big fish taken on light tackle, a sport that is still alive and well today. The frame is German Silver and was heavily chromium plated. A nice little reel to say the least.
The pics below of the No.201 were graciously provided by Joe Foley, Boscobel, WI.

 The ad below is from the 1932 catalog.

The Sea Girt is in the 1931 and 1932 catalog. We don’t have any earlier catalogs to study. The reel disappears from catalogs in 1933 — 1935 and reappears in the 1936 catalog as a new model.

First model Sea Girt in early box –  late 1920s to 1932 –      Ad is from a 1932 catalog — Model No.107 250 yd

This 2nd model came out in 1936 , Description says all metal,  Black Satin finish.  No.103 – 250 yd. reel. No.127 – 300 yd reel. This is exactly as the Fortescue but without a free spool lever.

NLW reel has black bakelite side plates,  double knob crank, 150 yd. spool capacity.
Pictures are courtesy of Wayne Benson.

Ads are from a 1941 Ocean City catalog.

Narrow spool trolling reels,   two reels are shown the No.? is a 150 yd. size reel,  the No.? is a 200 yd. size reel and the No.110 we do not have a picture of is a 250 yd. size trolling reel.

Descriptions are form a 1941 Ocean City catalog.  Reel shown is the 300 yd. version.
Pictures are courtesy of Wayne Benson.

The 985 Shoreline was sold from 1955 to 1957 and was a new, all-feature inexpensive 200YD salt or fresh water fishing reel. It was a lower priced reel and sold for $6.95 as seen in the last pic of the 1955 catalog.

The pictures and info below is courtesy of Todd Boaze.

1955 Ocean City No. 985 Shoreline Salt/Fresh Water Baitcasting Fishing Reel. Made By: Ocean City Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Built For: Salt Water, Lake and River Trolling Reel. Made For 3 Years: 1955-1957

Gear Ratio: “3.0:1”
Model: “No. 985 Shoreline”
Features: “Free Spool, Star Drag System, Self-Lubricating Bronze Bearings, Pear-Shaped Hard Wood Handle, Heavily Plated, Adjustable End Bearings, Bait Clicker Switch, Rod Clamp Holes”
Item Weight: “13.9 OZ”

Click on the pics to enlarge.

  First reel shown is the No.143,  the 250 yd. version.   Last group of pictures are of the later No.981 version on a old rod.  The ads are from a 1941 Ocean City catalog.
Pictures are courtesy of Wayne Benson and Jonathan Kring

The No.101 is a 250 yd. reel,  the No.102 is a 300 yd.  there is a wide spool No.104 a 200 yd. and there is a No.104W a 200 yd. reel with the 2 each duralite spools.  There is a wide spool No.107  a 250 yd. reel with two duralite spools.  Also there is a No.114 that is a 400 yd. size reel.
There are several versions of these and some are hard to tell difference in them.  Some like this reel shown, only say OC on the emblem and a yardage mark on the bottom of the foot such as 250 like this one has.
The way we tell is to look to see which free spool lever it has,  which crank knob,  if it has a star drag or not,  if it has the easy to take apart feature and also what yardage is marked on the foot.  This reel has three of the later features so we will call this one a Take Apart.   Pictures are courtesy of Ray Hodges.

First reel shown is a early LW Top Sail with painted side plates,  reel is similar to the Fortscue.  Not to often do you see one with the paint still on it.  Next are the later tear drop shaped 200 yd. LW reel,  black bakelite side plate inserts,  and the free spool.  The first reel shown is the No.922 with the white torpedo crank knob,  with no star drag,  with the box and paperwork.  Next is the No.925 with the star drag and the double knob crank handle.

  Reel has aluminum side plates, and the two thumb screws on the face plate for an easy to take apart feature.  Has a Tenite crank knob and the attached crank nut wrench on the crank handle.  The No.130 is a 150 yd. size reel,  the No.131 is a 250 yd. and the No.132 is a 300 yd. size reel.  Reel shown is a No.130.
Pictures are courtesy of Ray Hodges.