What was your first real fishing reel ?
When I was a kid, fishing with my dad in a company fishing rodeo, he was casting for bass and I caught a buffalo on my cane pole out the back of the boat. He entered it in the youth division- rough fish and I won a Shakesphere , No.1924MS, Direct Drive , Model EE, casting reel with a 5 foot solid fiberglass rod and real metal tackle box.
I spent hours practicing casting in the yard. Usually I would make a cast , then spend 30 to 45 mins. untangleing the birds nest ( AKA backlash ) ...remember those ?
I got real good untangling line. Now my favorite reels are open-faced spinning reels.
But I still have the Shakesphere and use it occasionaly for old times sake, you never quite get over your first.
Gary