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Fishing Rods

With roots in ancient Egypt and China, fishing has a rich history in human culture for both sport and survival. The fishing rod itself is part of that history, beginning with a simple wooden pole designed to hold a line and a hook. Over the centuries, vast modifications in weight, design, and durability have created a diverse manufacturing industry that continues to improve the rod’s performance.

Rod material is thought to have changed from heavy to light wood during the Industrial Revolution, with England being noted for its rod making. Around 1946, American Sam Phillippe invented the first split-bamboo fishing rod, and in 1854, Charles de Saxe obtained the first U.S. rod patent. Following these milestones, fishing rod manufacturing diversified in the U.S., with dozens of craftsmen designing rods that are today considered some of the most collectible in the industry.

Most antique fishing rods are made of bamboo along with cork, wrapped cane, or wood on the grips. Something particular to note is that a pre-20th century rod often has a metal band just above the hand grip, and the real seat will not contain screws. When reviewing a rod, look for insignia, as manufacturers often engraved a name and a date of origin on the rod’s butt cap.


Quick Facts

  • One of the earliest written guides about fishing and its equipment dates back to 1662 when Robert Venables published "The Experienced Angler"
  • A fly rod made by influential American fly fisher Thaddeus Norris sold at a 2007 Lang’s auction for $16,000
  • The American Museum of Fly Fishing in Manchester, Vermont has a collection of more than 1,400 rods, some from the likes of Babe Ruth, Ernest Hemingway, and Dwight Eisenhower

Recommended Items at Auction

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An Assortment of fishing rods and tackle,
Jun 25, 6:00 PM AEST
An Assortment of fishing rods and tackle,
by Lawsons
Est: AUD80- AUD120
AUD805 Bids
Older Fly Fishing Rods
Jul 07, 6:00 PM EDT
Older Fly Fishing Rods
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$503 Bids
True Temper & Berkley Fishing Rods
Jul 07, 6:00 PM EDT
True Temper & Berkley Fishing Rods
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
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Antique AL and W Toronto Canada Ice Fishing Pole
Jun 21, 9:00 AM CDT
Antique AL and W Toronto Canada Ice Fishing Pole
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$151 Bid
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Vintage Florida Fishing Tackle Wood Fishing Rod
Jun 21, 9:00 AM CDT
Vintage Florida Fishing Tackle Wood Fishing Rod
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$151 Bid
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Group of Vintage Metal Fly Fishing Rod Parts
Jun 21, 9:00 AM CDT
Group of Vintage Metal Fly Fishing Rod Parts
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$151 Bid
Penn Reel 716 Spinfisher reel on a Silstar Lexus graphite LX661SPMH one-piece 6/6” rod
Jun 21, 12:00 PM EDT
Penn Reel 716 Spinfisher reel on a Silstar Lexus graphite LX661SPMH one-piece 6/6” rod
by Roan Inc. Auctioneers & Appraisers
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Penn 450SS spinning wheel with (2) spools on a Garcia Conolon two-piece rod, 6 ½’
Jun 21, 12:00 PM EDT
Penn 450SS spinning wheel with (2) spools on a Garcia Conolon two-piece rod, 6 ½’
by Roan Inc. Auctioneers & Appraisers
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Group of Fishing Rods/Reels
Jul 13, 6:00 PM EDT
Group of Fishing Rods/Reels
by Caswell Prewitt Realty, INC
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Esquisite 630 spinning reel om a Mitchell Tradition graphite 6’6” two-piece rod
Jun 21, 12:00 PM EDT
Esquisite 630 spinning reel om a Mitchell Tradition graphite 6’6” two-piece rod
by Roan Inc. Auctioneers & Appraisers
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Bamboo Fly Rod
Jul 12, 5:00 PM EDT
Bamboo Fly Rod
by Gary R. Wallace Auctioneers Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
Older Fly Fishing Rods
Jul 07, 6:00 PM EDT
Older Fly Fishing Rods
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
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Golf Clubs, Fishing Rod, Walking Stick, 7
Jun 28, 10:00 AM EDT
Golf Clubs, Fishing Rod, Walking Stick, 7
by Roland Auctions NY
Est: $75- $125
$300 Bids
Fantastic Group of Reel Fishing Rods
Jul 07, 6:00 PM EDT
Fantastic Group of Reel Fishing Rods
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
7- Fishing Rods and Reels
Jul 07, 6:00 PM EDT
7- Fishing Rods and Reels
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
5- Fishing Rods and Reels
Jul 07, 6:00 PM EDT
5- Fishing Rods and Reels
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
(3) PAUL BUNYAN'S FISH TACKLE FLY FISHING ROD & BASKETS
Jun 20, 9:00 AM CDT
(3) PAUL BUNYAN'S FISH TACKLE FLY FISHING ROD & BASKETS
by Austin Auction Gallery
Est: $80- $150
$600 Bids
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Antique Handmade Bamboo Fly Fishing Fishing Rod
Jun 21, 9:00 AM CDT
Antique Handmade Bamboo Fly Fishing Fishing Rod
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$150 Bids
Abu Garcia 505 reel on Garcia Ambassadeur one-piece rod, 5 ½’
Jun 21, 12:00 PM EDT
Abu Garcia 505 reel on Garcia Ambassadeur one-piece rod, 5 ½’
by Roan Inc. Auctioneers & Appraisers
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
Tuna Fishing Rod with Giant Penn Senator 14/0 Reel
Jun 21, 10:00 AM EDT
Tuna Fishing Rod with Giant Penn Senator 14/0 Reel
by Boston Harbor Auctions
Est: $900- $1,200
$4000 Bids
Abu Garcia 505 reel on Master two-piece rod, 7’
Jun 21, 12:00 PM EDT
Abu Garcia 505 reel on Master two-piece rod, 7’
by Roan Inc. Auctioneers & Appraisers
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
Steel Bristol Fishing Rod -Tube Cast -Telescope Reel
Jul 12, 5:00 PM EDT
Steel Bristol Fishing Rod -Tube Cast -Telescope Reel
by Gary R. Wallace Auctioneers Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
Branson Mercury #2550 Bait Reel and Heddon Rod
Jul 12, 5:00 PM EDT
Branson Mercury #2550 Bait Reel and Heddon Rod
by Gary R. Wallace Auctioneers Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
Hendryx 1888 Reel and Sampson Steel Rod c. 1900
Jul 12, 5:00 PM EDT
Hendryx 1888 Reel and Sampson Steel Rod c. 1900
by Gary R. Wallace Auctioneers Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Fishing Rods


Atlee Raber Auctioneer

Atlee Raber Auctioneer

Roan Inc. Auctioneers & Appraisers

Roan Inc. Auctioneers & Appraisers

Matthew Bullock Auctioneers

Matthew Bullock Auctioneers