I think Penn still sells manual bail conversion kits. Someone once gave me one for my 6500ss. I have another of the same reel, and I'll probably cut and grind that bail wire, as well.
Toby, please do post the title and author of that book, I'd like to read it.
"Out there in the surf is where it's at, that's where the line gets drawn in the sand between those who talk fishing and those who live it."
- a wise man.
Location: Recently relocated to the shores of Rhode Island - East Bay!
Posts: 505
That sounds like a good read. Was able to find it on the net. I saw that Mitchell had a manual pick up in the early 50's. If it did start in freshwater, wonder if it was more of a gimmick (cost savings) than anything else. Then when you move to heavy saltwater fishing, weight savings and unreliable bail systems (snap-offs) make it more of a practical necesssity.
Hybrid Mode
