It was a rod/reel combo. At least the version I had. The reel was fixed to the rod.

Johnson Century

zebco 202 not for too long
mitchell 308
first baitcast abu 4600cb

Pfluger spinning reel on a Shakespeare rod I got with S&H Green Stamps in 59 or 60.

Started with a Mitchell and don't remember the # than leased a lake in SE Kansas with 3 buddies and stepped up to the 4600C and 5600C.

Zebco 33 classic!

Mitchell 300 spinning, ambassador 5000

Zebco 202. I think it was $3.99 at the time.

Zebco 202 in 1960. Then a green Shakespeare spincast in 1961, then the object of my dreams......a Mitchell 300 in 1962. First baitcaster was an Ambassador 5000c in 1971 or 72. I am embarrassed to say that I dropped my forty year old 4500c in Lake Ray Hubbard in 2014.

Like many on here my 1st was a Mitchell 300 spinning reel, later on my 1st BC was a green ambassador 5000 with a clicker in 1975. BC reels have come a million miles since those things. I remember my first Lew's speed stick, pistol grip of course.

Johnson Century. Black w/green cap

x2

I recall little Zebco, seems like a it was a 22. The next a year or two later mother bought me a Zeboco 202. They I moved up to a Zebco 33 on a tremper Rod. I still have a the Zebco Cardinal 4 I bought when I was in high school.

Pfluger Akron and I still have it and the glass rod my uncle gave me I got it in 1948 my uncle said he would buy me a fiberglass rod if I got all As in school. I believe that was the only year I ever worked on grades.

Shimano Chronarch CI4+. Hey, I may be new to fishing but I have learned a lot in that short amount and catches TONS of fish with it.