With Names Like KastKing Speed Demon and Revo Rocket...

It doesn't take long to figure out we're talking about something fast--in this case, modern-day high-speed baitcast reels. With these gems reaching retrieve ratios ranging from 8.3:1 to 9.3:1, it makes you wonder how anglers of the past made do with reels that had "stock" retrieve ratios less than half those of today. Back in the day, for example, the Abu 5000, with its two brass bushings (instead of bearings) and a free-spool mechanism, had only a 3.75:1 gear ratio.

That picture changed in 1973, when Abu Garcia came out with their 500 series of "fast" reels. Anglers had some questions, however: "What are we supposed to do with all our 'slow' reels? Throw them away? Put them aside for catfishing?"

Lew Childre came up with answers to those questions. He developed the Lew's Speed Spool Gear Kit, which could retrofit 5000 and 6000 Abu reels, as well as Daiwa Millionaires, with high-speed 4.8:1 gears. These kits debuted in the early 1970s.

Lew's, however, wasn't the only company out there that was in the business of speeding up older Abu baitcasters. Lebercko, Inc. had a product they called Buzz-Gears, which did the same thing. But there was a problem: They frequently broke pinion gears. The gear would break where it engaged the spool, leaving the reel inoperable until you could get a new gear.

Given that anglers today often carry 20 or more rods in their boat, that problem wouldn't be of much concern. Back in those days, though, the average angler only carried a couple of rods...hence, a serious problem.

Lebercko eventually fixed the problem by placing a brass shim around the circumference of the pinion gear. Unfortunately, that "fix" had little to no effect on the bad press they had received in the meantime.

Another company that offered a speed kit was Greg Enterprises of Fayetville, AR. They also offered what, from the accompanying old ad, appears to be a power handle. That would have been a welcome addition for anyone who owned an Abu 5000, because their original handles weren't very long, and the paddles were small.

Tackle technology has advanced exponentially since the early 1970s, and reels are one of those pieces of equipment that have led the way. While some of those slow reels still exist, reel manufacturers now offer myriad speeds to satisfy all your angling needs. I, personally, have a couple of slow models I sometimes use for tossing crankbaits and spinnerbaits, and I enjoy them every bit as much as my faster models.