Shakespeare was the other originator of fiberglass flyrods. For years they sold the Wonderod line.
This page has four sections: Shakespeare Rod Date Codes, Shakespeare Recommended Line Equivalents, Rod Actions, and Shakespeare Glass Fly Rod Models.
Most Shakespeare glass rods were marked with a three-letter code indicating the date of manufacture. This date code was either stenciled on the blank near the model identification number, or stamped on the reel seat. The first two letters in the code indicate the year while the third letter indicates the month.
Each of the first two letters is translated to a numerical digit per the following table:
|
K |
J |
H |
G |
F |
E |
D |
C |
B |
A |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
0 |
These two digits, when prefixed with '19', indicate the year of manufacture. For example, from the date code 'EJF', we take the first two letters 'EJ' and translate these to '62' using the preceding table. This results in the year '1962'.
The third letter in the date code indicates the month, per the following table:
|
K |
J |
H |
G |
F |
E |
D |
C |
B |
A |
L |
M |
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Continuing with the previous example of date code EJF, the letter 'F' from this table gives us 'May' as the month. Therefore the complete translation of date code EJF is 'May 1962'.
The following table lists the AFTMA line weights that are considered equivalent to the older-style letter designations. The information listed in the table was extracted from various Shakespeare catalogs. The translation of line weights to AFTMA equivalents is as suggested in the catalogs.
|
Line Designation |
AFTMA floating line |
AFTMA sinking line |
|
HEH |
DT4F |
DT5S |
|
HDH |
DT6F |
DT7S |
|
HCH |
DT7F |
DT8S |
|
GBG |
DT9F |
|
|
2LM, GBF |
WF6F |
|
|
4M, GAF |
WF8F |
WF9S |
|
6MH, G2AF |
WF9F |
WF10S |
|
8H, G4AF |
WF10F |
WF11S |
|
F |
L3F |
|
|
E |
L5F |
L6S |
|
D |
L7F |
L8S |
The following information (extracted from the 1965 Shakespeare catalog) describes the various rod actions available for Wonderods.
|
Action Designation |
Description
|
|
Omni-Action |
Bigger diameter butt section with progressive tapering blade gives unusual power to handle bigger fish, yet there's action enough to cast light lures, |
|
Kwik-Taper |
Semi-enlarged butt diameter size with less extreme tapering of blade to provide power with action for general purpose fresh and salt water fishing. |
|
Action Taper |
A cross between the regular standard and Kwik-Taper design with more action for sporty fishing. |
|
Standard Taper |
Regular size butt diameter with balance power and action suited for all fresh water fishing, or sporty light salt water use. |
The following list of fiberglass fly rod models is by no means complete. There were more than 350 glass fly rod models! It will be updated as time permits. (Model numbers are listed in alpha-numerical order, sort of.)
|
Model ID |
Series |
Name |
Length |
Action |
Pieces |
Catalog-specified Line Weights |
Weight (ounces) |
Catalog Years |
|
|
809 |
|
|
8'0" |
All-Purpose |
2 |
C, HCH, 4M |
4.5 |
1964 - 1965 |
|
|
810 |
|
|
7'9" |
All-Purpose |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.5 |
1962 |
|
|
812 |
|
|
8'0" |
All-Purpose |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.4 |
1962 |
|
|
812 |
|
|
8'6" |
All-Purpose |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.6 |
1962 |
|
|
814 |
|
|
7'9" |
All-Purpose |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.2 |
1962 |
|
|
814 |
|
|
8'6" |
All-Purpose |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
? |
1962 |
|
|
814 |
|
|
9'0" |
All-Purpose |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.6 |
1962 |
|
|
816 |
|
|
8'0" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.2 |
1963 |
|
|
816 |
|
|
8'6" |
|
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.5 |
1963 |
|
|
817 |
|
|
8'0" |
All-Purpose |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.2 |
1962 |
|
|
817 |
|
|
8'6" |
All-Purpose |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.5 |
1962 |
|
|
818 |
|
|
7'9" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
not listed |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
818 |
|
|
8'0" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.3 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
818 |
|
|
8'6" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.5 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
818 |
|
|
9'0" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.7 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
819 |
|
|
7'9" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
C, D, HCH, HDH, 4M, 6MH, 8H |
4.3 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
819 |
|
|
8'6" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
C, D, HCH, HDH, 4M, 6MH, 8H |
4.5 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
822 |
|
|
8'0" |
All-Purpose |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.6 |
1962 |
|
|
822 |
|
|
8'6" |
All-Purpose |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.8 |
1962 |
|
|
824 |
|
|
7'9" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
C, D, HCH, HDH, 4M, 6MH, 8H |
4.7 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
824 |
|
|
8'6" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
C, D, HCH, HDH, 4M, 6MH, 8H |
4.8 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
824 |
|
|
9'0" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
C, D, HCH, HDH, 4M, 6MH, 8H |
5.2 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
829 |
Presidential |
|
8'0" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.7 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
829 |
Presidential |
|
8'6" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
831 |
Presidential |
|
8'0" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.7 |
1965 |
|
|
831 |
Presidential |
|
8'6" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1965 |
|
|
832 |
Presidential |
|
7'9" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
C, D, HCH, HDH, 4M, 6MH, 8H |
4.7 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
832 |
Presidential |
|
8'6" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
C, D, HCH, HDH, 4M, 6MH, 8H |
4.9 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
834 |
Presidential |
|
7'9" |
Action-Taper |
2 |
D, HDH, 2LM |
4.9 |
1965 |
|
|
834 |
Presidential |
|
8'6" |
Action-Taper |
2 |
C, HCH, 4M |
5.2 |
1965 |
|
|
834 |
Presidential |
|
9'0" |
Action-Taper |
2 |
B, GBH |
5.0 |
1965 |
|
|
838 |
Presidential |
|
7'9" |
Extra Light |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.5 |
1963 |
|
|
839 |
Presidential |
|
7'9" |
Extra Light |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.5 |
1965 |
|
|
844 |
Presidential |
|
8'6" |
|
3 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1962 - 1964 |
|
|
845 |
Presidential |
|
8'6" |
|
3 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1965 |
|
|
848 |
Presidential |
|
7'9" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
3.5 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
849 |
Presidential |
|
8'6" |
Omni-Action |
3 |
C, HCH, HDH, 6MH, 8H |
4.9 |
1962 |
|
|
850 |
Executive |
|
8'6" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
C, HCH, 4M |
4.9 |
1965 |
|
|
855 |
Presidential |
|
8'6" |
|
3 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
857 |
Executive |
|
8'6" |
|
3 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1965 |
|
|
922 |
|
Panfish Special |
6'6" |
|
2 |
E, HEH, 2LM |
2.9 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
922 |
|
Panfish Special |
7'0" |
|
2 |
E, HEH, 2LM |
3.2 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
923 |
Professional |
|
6'6" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 2LM |
2.9 |
1965 |
|
|
923 |
Professional |
|
7'0" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 2LM |
3.2 |
1965 |
|
|
924 |
|
|
8'6" |
|
3 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.5 |
1963 |
|
|
927 |
Professional |
|
8'6" |
|
3 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.5 |
1965 |
|
|
928 |
|
|
9'0" |
Fast |
2 |
D, C, HCH, 6MH, 8H |
5.7 |
1962 - 1963 |
|
|
929 |
Presidential |
|
7'0" |
Trout |
2 |
E, HEH, 2LM |
3.5 |
1962 - 1965 |
|
|
930 |
Professional |
|
9'0" |
Fast |
2 |
G, GBG, 8H |
6.4 |
1965 |
|
|
930 |
Professional |
|
9'6" |
Fast |
2 |
G, GBG, 8H |
7.0 |
1965 |
|
|
945 |
Presidential |
|
7'9" |
All-Purpose |
4 |
D, HDH, 2LM |
4.25 |
1965 |
|
|
949 |
Executive |
|
8'6" |
|
3 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1964 - 1965 |
|
|
1240 |
|
|
7'9" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.3 |
1956 * |
|
|
1240 |
|
|
8'6" |
|
2 |
|
|
* |
|
|
1245 |
|
Panfish Special |
6'6" |
|
2 |
E, HEH, 2LM |
2.9 |
1956 - 1961 * |
|
|
1245 |
|
Panfish Special |
7'0" |
|
2 |
E, HEH, 2LM |
3.2 |
1956 - 1961 * |
|
|
1250 |
|
|
7'9" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.3 |
1953 - 1956 |
|
|
1250 |
|
|
8'6" |
|
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
5.2 |
1956 * |
|
|
1252T |
|
|
7'9" |
Trout |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.5 |
1956 - 1958 * |
|
|
1252T |
|
|
8'6" |
Trout |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1956 - 1958 * |
|
|
1270 |
|
|
7'9" |
|
2 |
C, HCH, HC |
5.6 |
1951 |
|
|
1270B |
|
|
7'9" |
Bass |
2 |
HCH, HC, GAF |
5.3 |
1952 - 1953 * |
|
|
1270T |
|
|
7'9" |
Trout |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.9, 5.1 |
1952 - 1953 * |
|
|
1270T |
|
|
8'0" |
Trout |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
5.35 |
1953 * |
|
|
1280B |
|
Deluxe Fly Wonderod |
7'9" |
Bass |
2 |
C, 6MH |
5.2 |
1951 - 1959 |
|
|
1280T |
|
Deluxe Fly Wonderod |
7'9" |
Trout |
2 |
D, HDH, 2LM, 4M |
3.9 |
1951 - 1959 |
|
|
1288 |
|
Spin/Fly Wonderod |
7'0" |
|
2 |
D, HD, HDH, GBF |
4.5 |
1949 - 1959 * |
|
|
1289 |
|
|
7'3" |
|
2 |
D, HDH |
3.4 |
1949 - 1950 |
|
|
1290 |
|
|
7'3" |
|
2 |
HEH, 2LM |
3.5 |
1951 - 1959 |
|
|
1290 |
|
|
7'9" |
|
2 |
D, HDH |
3.5 |
1947 - 1959 |
|
|
1295 |
|
The "Presentation" Wonderod Wonder-Wand |
7'3" |
|
2 |
HEH, 2LM |
2.5 |
1953 - 1956 * |
|
|
1300 |
|
|
8'6" |
|
? |
? |
? |
? |
|
|
1352 |
|
|
9'0" |
|
3 |
C, HCH, GBG, 6MH |
5.9 |
? |
|
|
1352T |
|
|
9'0" |
Trout |
3 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
5.9 |
1956 - 1958 * |
|
|
1360 |
|
|
9'0" |
|
|
|
|
? |
|
|
1362 |
|
|
8'6" |
|
|
|
|
? |
|
|
1370 |
|
|
8'6" |
|
3 |
|
6.1 |
1951 |
|
|
1370B |
|
|
8'6" |
Bass |
3 |
HCH, HC, C, GAF |
5.3 |
1952 - 1953 * |
|
|
1370T |
|
|
8'6" |
Trout |
3 |
HCH, HC, C, GAF |
5.7 |
1952 - 1953 * |
|
|
1380B |
|
Deluxe Fly Wonderod |
8'6" |
Bass |
3 |
HCH, GBG, 6MH, 8H |
5.7 |
1951 - 1959 |
|
|
1380T |
|
Deluxe Fly Wonderod |
8'6" |
Trout |
3 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1951 - 1959 |
|
|
1380T |
|
Deluxe Fly Wonderod |
9'0" |
Trout |
3 |
? |
5.3 |
1951 - 1957, 1959 |
|
|
1390 |
|
Super Deluxe Fly Wonderod |
8'6" |
|
3 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1947 - 1959 * |
|
|
1438 |
|
|
7'9" |
|
2 |
D, HDH |
4.4 |
1959 |
|
|
1439 |
|
Economy |
8'0" |
All-Purpose |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.4 |
1960 - 1961 |
|
|
1440 |
|
|
8'0" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.3 |
1958 * |
|
|
1441 |
|
|
8'0" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.4 |
1959 |
|
|
1443 |
|
Favorite |
7'9" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.2 |
1960 - 1961 |
|
|
1443 |
|
Favorite |
8'6" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.5 |
1960 - 1961 |
|
|
1444 |
|
Classic Color |
7'9" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.2 |
1961 |
|
|
1444 |
|
Classic Color |
8'6" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.5 |
1961 |
|
|
1450 |
|
|
7'9" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.3 |
1958 * |
|
|
1450 |
|
|
8'6 |
|
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.7 |
1958 * |
|
|
1451 |
|
|
7'9" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.2 |
1959 - 1961 |
|
|
1451 |
|
|
8'6" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.5 |
1959 - 1961 |
|
|
1451 |
|
|
9'0" |
|
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.6 |
1959 - 1961 |
|
|
1452 |
|
Super |
7'9" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.6 |
1961 |
|
|
1452 |
|
Super |
8'6" |
|
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1961 |
|
|
1452 |
|
Super |
9'0" |
|
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
5.9 |
1960 |
|
|
1452B |
|
|
7'9" |
Bass |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.7 |
1959 - 1960 |
|
|
1452B |
|
|
8'6" |
Bass |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1959 - 1960 |
|
|
1452T |
|
|
7'9" |
Trout |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.6 |
1959 - 1960 |
|
|
1452T |
|
|
8'6" |
Trout |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1959 - 1960 |
|
|
1453 |
|
|
8'6" |
|
3 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.5 |
1961 |
|
|
1454T |
|
|
9'0" |
Trout |
3 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
5.9 |
1959 - 1960 |
|
|
1470 |
|
Wond-O-Rod |
8'6" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.9 |
1956, 1959 * |
|
|
1470 |
|
Wond-O-Rod |
8'6" |
|
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
5.3 |
1956, 1959 * |
|
|
1470B |
|
|
7'9" |
Bass |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.6 |
1958 * |
|
|
1470B |
|
|
8'6" |
Bass |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
5.2 |
1958 * |
|
|
1470T |
|
|
7'9" |
Trout |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.6 |
1958 * |
|
|
1470T |
|
|
8'6" |
Trout |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.8 |
1958 * |
|
|
1475 |
|
|
9'0" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
B, C, HCH, 6MH, 8H |
5.7 |
1960 - 1961 |
|
|
1481 |
|
|
7'9" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
D, HDH, 6MH |
4.7 |
1960 - 1961 |
|
|
1481 |
|
|
8'6" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
D, HDH, 6MH |
4.8 |
1960 - 1961 |
|
|
1481 |
|
|
9'0" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH, 8H |
5.2 |
1961 |
|
|
A-810 |
|
|
7'9" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.5 |
1963 |
|
|
A-812 |
|
|
8'0" |
All 'round |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.4 |
1963 |
|
|
A-812 |
|
|
8'6" |
All 'round |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.6 |
1963 |
|
|
A-814 |
|
|
7'9" |
All purpose |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.2 |
1963 |
|
|
A-814 |
|
|
8'6" |
All purpose |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.4 |
1963 |
|
|
A-814 |
|
|
9'0" |
All purpose |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.6 |
1963 |
|
|
A-816 |
|
|
8'0" |
All purpose |
2 |
C, HCH, 4M |
4.2 |
1964 |
|
|
A-816 |
|
|
8'6" |
All purpose |
3 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.5 |
1964 |
|
|
A-818 |
|
|
7'9" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
C, HCH, 4M |
|
1964 |
|
|
A-818 |
|
|
8'0" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
C, HCH, 4M |
4.3 |
1964 |
|
|
A-818 |
|
|
8'6" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
C, HCH, 4M |
4.5 |
1964 |
|
|
A-818 |
|
|
9'0" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.7 |
1964 |
|
|
A-819 |
|
|
7'9" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
C, D, HDH, HCH, 4M. 6MH, 8H |
4.7 |
1964 |
|
|
A-819 |
|
|
8'6" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
C, D, HDH, HCH, 4M. 6MH, 8H |
4.9 |
1964 |
|
|
A-822 |
Professional |
|
8'0" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.6 |
1963 |
|
|
A-822 |
Professional |
|
8'6" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.8 |
1963 |
|
|
A-824 |
Professional |
|
7'9" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
C, D, HDH, HCH, 8H |
4.7 |
1964 - 1965 |
|
|
A-824 |
Professional |
|
8'6" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
C, D, HDH, HCH, 8H |
4.9 |
1964 - 1965 |
|
|
A-824 |
Professional |
|
9'0" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
C, D, HDH, HCH, 8H |
5.2 |
1964 - 1965 |
|
|
A-829 |
Presidential |
|
8'0" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
4.7 |
1964 |
|
|
A-829 |
Presidential |
|
8'6" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1964 |
|
|
A-832 |
Presidential |
|
7'9" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
C, D, HCH, HDH, 8H |
4.7 |
1964 |
|
|
A-832 |
Presidential |
|
8'6" |
Omni-Action |
2 |
C, D, HCH, HDH, 8H |
4.9 |
1964 |
|
|
A-848 |
Executive |
|
7'9" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 4M |
? |
1964 |
|
|
A-849 |
Executive |
|
8'6" |
Kwik-Taper |
2 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1963 |
|
|
A-855 |
Executive |
|
8'6" |
|
3 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.9 |
1964 |
|
|
A-922 |
Professional |
|
6'6" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 2LM |
2.9 |
1964 |
|
|
A-922 |
Professional |
|
7'0" |
|
2 |
D, HDH, 2LM |
3.2 |
1964 |
|
|
A-924 |
Professional |
|
8'6" |
|
3 |
C, HCH, 6MH |
4.5 |
1964 |
|
|
A-928 |
Professional |
|
9'0" |
|
2 |
G, GBG, 8H |
? |
1964 |
|
|
A-928 |
Professional |
|
9'6" |
|
2 |
G, GBG, 8H |
? |
1964 |
|
|
A-929 |
Professional |
|
9'6" |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
|
|
A-1250 |
? |
|
7'9" |
? |
2 |
? |
? |
? |
|
|
A-1280B |
|
|
7'9" |
|
2 |
|
|
? |
|
|
A-1280T |
|
|
7'9" |
Trout |
2 |
HDH, GBF |
3.9 |
1950 |
|
|
A-1308B |
|
|
9'0" |
Trout |
? |
? |
? |
? |
|
|
A-1380B |
|
|
8'6" |
Bass |
3 |
GBG, HCH, HC, B, C, GAF |
6.3 |
1950 |
|
|
A-1380T |
|
|
8'6" |
Trout |
3 |
HCH, HC, C, GAF |
5.0 |
1950 |
|
|
B-812 |
|
|
8'0" |
Standard Taper |