I've been looking @ these reels on ebay for quite some time. Someone tell me why the "left handed"(IMHO) 201 has the direct-drive on/off switch. And the 200 "rightie" has none, what is the reason for this?? I'd like to let my junk move down river with the gears turning just like the next guy...........

No Shimano historians in the house?? I just think it's curiouis that shimano makes so many reels that are RH LH mirrior image's, and this one is missing a major feature on the right-hand retrieve. I guess I can pick-up a Bantam mag plus 250sg looks to be almost the same reel but with a black finish.... ......... C/22

I have not used one of the Banton direct drives so I can not say much but I have a friend that bought one and after using it he gave it away do to the fact that the switch is so easy to hit and he was always hitting it with his thumb. Now he also holds his reel in the palm of his hand and with thumb over top. I would try someones out before buying.

I have a 201sg. I never knew that the 250 didn't have the direct drive feature.

A nice little reel but no match for the smoothness of todays reels. The lack of instant dead stopping anti-reverse takes a little to get used to.

FJ...out.

fj-
I if you dont like your 201sg, I will gladly take it of your hands!!

Sparkey :p



I'll hold on to it!

FJ...out.

I always like the couple I had. But, mine were stolen years back on the rods I had built. Can't replace them (including the memories).

I just won one on ebay today. A big whopping $40. I love it when they list it in the wrong spot. Guy is probably doing this right about now

I never had a problem with them, not as nice as some of the current reels out there, but a workhorse for the old reels. But, I always liked the old ABU's. They're my prefered reel.

Yeah, the older shimano reels do feel a bit shall we say "clunky"compared to todays reels. I for one still enjoy fishing with the older (vintage?) reels. I'm currently planning on fishing a Bantam mag 10Xsg on a 9.5 med. drift rod for hac. steelhead and the lack of the superstopper and the thumbar take some getting used to. I also fish 3 curado's one is the "super free" on some other set-ups. I like to hold the rod/reel in my left hand with my thumb resting on the spool and cross-bar , so if I get that mag plus 250sg it looks like the direct-drive switch will be far enough away I won't be switching it on/off by accident. Anyone who likes to fish the older gear feel free to speak-up, I've noticed alot of the reels I look at on ebay are sold to NW buyers so I'm not the only one......

I have a 201SG which has a inoperative level wind and I can't find anyone to fix it. Ollie Damon can't do it, and I heard that Shimano won't. Can anyone get me in touch with a shop that will do the repair?

Try www.buckosparts.com

I have had good luck with them in the past for finding parts for my 201's

John Martinis knows reels and usually has hard to find parts. His shop is in Everett.
http://johnssportinggoods.com/