ANTIQUE FISHING REELS

This unusual reel is marked "THE JIM JUMP REEL - TRADEMARK - PATENTS PENDING" and is stamped on the inside of the foot with the number "5".  The reel is a multiplier with planetary gears and a 3 x 1 ratio of retrieve.  The side-plates are made of Bakelite and the metal is German sliver.  The reel is a 9/0 in size.  It is not known who made this reel for Jump or how many were made.

James W. “Jimmy" Jump was born in Delaware on April 3, 1861. He became one of Santa Catalina Island’s most outstanding sport fishermen. As past president of the Tuna Club (1893) and first commodore of the Catalina Island Yacht Club (1924), Jimmy Jump was so respected that at his death in 1938 both organizations put their flags at half-mast. Jump moved his family to Southern California in about 1909. He was a member of the Jonathan Club as well as the Al Malaikah Temple; he was a very active Shriner. His interest in sport fishing became legendary. During the first 50 years of The Tuna Club, Jump achieved more angling honors than any other club member. Jump was a committed light tackle fisherman, one of the few members of the Tuna Club to win all six varieties of trophy buttons awarded to those who caught Catalina game fish on the Club’s specified tackles.

Jump fished from his fishing cruiser, the Ranger, often with his son, Bob, as gaffer. His frequent long and grueling battles with fish resulted in several phenomenal catches: a broadbill swordfish weighing 365 pounds; a bluefin tuna weighing 57 pounds that set a record for three-six tackle; and a world-record bluefin that weighed in at 145-1/2 pounds. In recognition of his achievements as a light tackle angler, the Tuna Club gave Jump a lifelong membership, as well as the affectionate title of ‘King of the Light-Tacklers.’ Jimmy Jump ranks among the angling elite who have caught two swordfish in one day. Jump's double came in 1928 off Catalina Island. Hailed affectionately as "Jimmy" by scores of friends in Avalon, Jump was known and loved for his philanthropic work as much as he was respected for his mastery of angling. The Catalina Islander noted, "There is no angler who fishes more consistently or knows these waters better than does Angler Jump." In 1998 he was inducted posthumously into the International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame.

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