Identifying & Valuing Vintage Great Lakes Rod & Reel - 1975 Whirlaway & Fiberglass Rods

Question
hi,i have a great lakes '75' whirlaway rod and reel. it's a 5ft rod. the reel is an open face encased in part chrome and green plastic.it say's pat.pending.like to know year made? and value,also have square fiberglass rod's meybe you can give me an idea on them? thank you.

Answer
Chuck

sorry for the delay.

Great Lakes made an intergrated rod and reel combination. Depending on model and conditon they run in the $20 to $75 range. Having the original box is a plus.

The first version, half of the reel is a chrome cover - marked Whirlaway along the edge. The handle moves in a slot depending on casting or reeling back in. The upper half of the reel/rod is black tenite.

Later versions the reel crank is fixed in one location, they have a label on the plastic section stating Greatlakes or Greatlakes 75. They are usually marked "Whirlaway" on the rod its self.

the earlier version is more collectable.

Great lakes is known for low price fishing tackle.