Author Topic: Johnson graphite-bodied reels  (Read 2885 times)

Skip Smith

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Johnson graphite-bodied reels
« on: July 10, 2016, 01:34:29 PM »
In 1983, Johnson introduced a graphite composite reel body/foot, replacing the cast metal unit used in their earlier reels.  The graphite reels had what Johnson called "drive train drag", which they claimed eliminated spool slip that caused line tangles.  In catalogs and advertising, these reels were called "Tangle-Free".
The 1983 model line consisted of these reels:
Sprint 445, Century Pro 345          rated for 14 lb. line
Force 525, Century 225                 rated for 10 lb. line
Century Lite 125, Spirit III            rated for 10 lb. line
Uni-Spin 7256, Uni-Spin Lite 7155  rated for 10 lb. line
The 445 and 345 were larger than the other models, 525,225 and 125 were much alike, the Spirit model had a shorter back cover.  The Uni-Spins were an under-the-rod model that could only be used on the rod they came from the factory with, because the line-release pushbutton was on top of the rod.
By 1987, several changes were made in model names and new models added.  The Sabra 545 was a very large reel rated for 17 lb. line. The Sprint 445 was still available, but it's 14 lb. line companion was now the 710.  The 525 and 225 were unchanged, but the Century Lite 125 was now rated for 8 lb. line.  A new model was the Crappie Pro 230, rated for 6 lb. line.  Uni-Spin 7256 was unchanged, but the smaller version was now called Crappie Spin 730, rated for 6 lb. line.
1989 brought major changes to the lineup and model names.  The "tangle-free" feature was emphasized in the names.
TF 17 Sabra        17 lb. line
TF 14                  14 lb. line
TF 10 Century      10 lb. line
TF 8                    8 lb. line
Crappie Pro 230 and Crappie Spin 730 continued to be offered, rated for 6 lb. line.  The larger Uni-Spin was discontinued and with the exception of the Crappie reels, only one model was offered in each line test weight size.
In 1992, the 1989 model line-up was joined by TF 8 Plus and TF 10 Plus.  The Plus series claimed improvements to the spool and body/foot design and heavier gears and drag system.
In 1993, the "Sabra " name was dropped from the TF 17 and the "Century" name was removed from the TF 10.  The original 1983 front and back covers and pushbutton were replaced with Plus style covers and pushbuttons on all models.  A new model was Century 2000, which had all of the Plus series features and selective "pulse retrieve", which claimed to send a fish-attracting low-frequency vibration through the line during retrieve.
I believe the 1993 model line-up was offered until 1997, when production was moved to China.

Huckster37

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Re: Johnson graphite-bodied reels
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2016, 11:10:25 AM »
Thanks Skip. I hope to see more detailed information like this about Johnson's

Skip Smith

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Re: Johnson graphite-bodied reels
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2016, 11:27:47 AM »
You're welcome, Dennis.  More to come!

AL

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Re: Johnson graphite-bodied reels
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2016, 09:30:29 AM »
Thanks a bunch for bailing me out on this topic. It is great.

Skip Smith

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Re: Johnson graphite-bodied reels
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2016, 10:34:01 AM »
You're very welcome, sir!  Thank you!

 

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