{"product_id":"true-temper-981e-fishing-reel","title":"True Temper 981E Vintage Baitcasting Reel — American-Made, Star Drag — Field Find","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE FIND\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA vintage True Temper 981E baitcasting reel — American-made, chrome finish with retained shine, star drag functional, handle turns smoothly. Found in good vintage condition and sold as-is to a collector or angler who knows what they're looking at.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWHAT WE KNOW\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTrue Temper was an American manufacturer with a long history in sporting goods and hand tools, producing fishing reels under their own name through the mid-20th century. The 981E is a baitcasting reel with a star drag system — the classic configuration for freshwater casting. This example shows age-appropriate wear to the chrome finish; the handle turns and the star drag engages. Sold as-is; no guarantee of full fishing readiness without service. No original box or paperwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE STORY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAmerican-made baitcasting reels from the mid-20th century represent a high point in domestic tackle manufacturing — built to last, designed for use, and increasingly hard to find in functional condition. True Temper reels don't have the name recognition of a Penn or an Ambassadeur, which means they're often undervalued by the market and overdelivered as objects. This one has held up.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWHY WE CHOSE IT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe chrome still has life in it, the mechanism functions, and the price reflects honest vintage condition rather than collector premium. A working piece of American fishing history at a fair entry point.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PIECE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaker: True Temper\u003cbr\u003eModel: 981E\u003cbr\u003eType: Baitcasting reel with star drag\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Good vintage condition — age wear to chrome, handle and star drag functional, sold as-is.\u003cbr\u003eDimensions: [DIMENSIONS]\u003cbr\u003eWeight: [WEIGHT]\u003cbr\u003eQuantity: 1 — one of a kind.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Found in the Field","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47381268168889,"sku":"C566512","price":128.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/9438\/4825\/files\/83145D37-28D6-4229-A2B9-3FB4FF11F871.jpg?v=1783125743","url":"https:\/\/foundinthefield.store\/products\/true-temper-981e-fishing-reel","provider":"Found in the Field","version":"1.0","type":"link"}