mycorkhandle2 wrote:
What then would I look for within the Shakespeare line if I wanted to find a fly rod of this same size, etc?
Is there a certain
numbering system as a key to the action on rods that I should be aware of?
Basically... no.
If you can get access to old Shakespeare catalogs you'll find complete lines of rods under the same model #. For example, '73 listed Presidential 515 Wonderod Series with 12 different rods, all with 515 in the model# with a different prefix; BC=baitcast, PB=pushbutton, SP=spinning, FY=fly. The BC and PB rods also had letters L, M, MH, H at the end designating the action. SP and FY rods had no such letters. The action was listed in the description. Some rods have the exact same # but the lengths are different.
You'll also find the similar 340 Series listed. The rod model lineup is nearly identical, but the wrap colors are different and there are different quality guides and handles. The 340 series was a less expensive line than the 515 series. Are the blanks the same? Comparing similar models, eg, SP-515 7' and SP-340 7' it's possible, but not necessarily across types. The longest SP is 7', but the shortest FY is 7'9", so there's not a direct equivalent.
Add in the fact that Shakespeare changed model series #s from year to year. The Presidential series had several different #s in different years as they changed components. In '79 it was the 508 series and the PB style had disappeared and there were more SP models, but there is still an SP-508 7' that looks much the same as the earlier SP-515 7'. By '81 the Presidential series was a lower end line as Ugly-Stik and Graphite became TOTL.
So, Shakespeare may have used the same blank in several different series over many years, but IMHO there's no direct numbering system to follow to know which are the same. You may be able to study the catalogs to see if there's an FY-521 7' fly rod listed along with your SP-521 or follow the blank in another series.
I'm still convinced your SP-521 is a spinning rod, even though it can cast a fly line.