whteglve Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 I'm currently using a Bass Pro baitcaster (Rick Clunn Series) which I received as a gift and I'm looking to get another reel. I'd like to get something that I can more easily take care of as well as upgrade in the future. I've seen models like Diawa, Penn, Shimano, etc. on sites like Smoothdrag and others. The problem I have with my reel is distance or lack there of. I think that I'm only able to cast a 1/4 oz. (I think that's right) practice plug about 40 ft. with a 6ft 6in rod. That's with only two brakes engaged. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmokeyJ Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 Well, I am not familiar with that reel, but in general, you should have the spool tension adjusted just enough to prevent side to side spool play and the minimum amount of braking engaged (depending on wind, lure wgt, etc.) to prevent backlashes in order to maximize distance. Well, actually, the spool tension may be a daiwa magforce specific thing; I've never used a centrifugal, so your mileage may very. As far as upgrades go, the sky is truly the limit there. I know with daiwas (which is my personal preference, but shimanos, abus, etc. are just as good) you can upgrade spool bearings, replace levelwind busings with bearings, upgrade the drag, upgrade spools, replace handles, etc. Some of these are performance oriented, some are aesthetic, others are a little of both (like switching handles for one with bearing supported knobs that crank smoother but also happen to look cooler ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilcraw Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 The Rod action will have alot to do with the distance of a cast or lack of, the stiffer the rod you will loose distance, a lighter tip rod will give you a far longer cast. As far as reels go I have used them all and it is kinda like the age ole question Ford or Chevy Shimano Chronarch reels are my choice, although Pinnacle is making some really smooth and inexpensive bait casters that I have had good luck with as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basskat Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 I have used the old Lew's for thirty years but they no longer make them. Been searching for the past couple years for a replacement and finally found one that I truley like. The new Abu Garcia Revo is an awesome reel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basssj Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 You should get lots of different opinions on this topic. I use shimano calcutta 200 reels as my workhorses. I have a couple that have 15 plus seasons on them with no problems. The calucutta is a simple reel with no fancy bells or wistles, they are dependable and simply get the job done. As mentioned, with a few modifications you can get more casting distance out of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lure--Prof Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 Any properly adjusted,modern premium baitcaster with a 6'6" rod should cast a 1/4 oz. practice plug way past a 40 foot maximum distance. The first thing I'd look for is oil drag, such as too much oil on the bearings. Anything more than one drop is excessive. Also be sure that your tolerance between your spool edge and frame is mot contaminated with any foreign build-up, such as dirt or oil--it should be perfectly clean and dry. Excess oil on the spool shaft could be another culprit. If you're not comfortable with a tear-down, take it to a pro to check it out, because something is not right. I don't own an RC, but I've casted one, and yours is simply not performing correctly! Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmokeyJ Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 I agree with Dean on this one, something ain't kosher with that reel as is. There could be any number of things wrong that are affecting your casting distance. One thing that would be helpful is a little more info; for instance, what kind of noises does your reel make when you make a cast, and has that noise changed since you received the reel? Does the reel feel gritty, wobbly, etc. on retrieve, and does it make unusual noises when being cranked? It may just be easier to find a reel mechanic in your area and have them look at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whteglve Posted October 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 Thanks for all the help guys! As for the reel it's been as quiet as a church mouse. It makes no noise on retrieve that I can hear. The handle is solid and doesn't wobble. Maybe I should start looking for a reel mechanic. This is just they way its been since it was new. I still would like to get another reel though. You can't bass fish with just one baitcaster and one spinning reel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmokeyJ Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 Man, that's strange. I just don't know. You sure you don't have the spool tension cranked down too tight? That is the only thing I can think of given what you have said. Of course, I myself am no reel mechanic, so there may be something else at play here, but I would think other problems would make noise and/or affect the feel of the retrieve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lure--Prof Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 Yeah, that's why I thought it was over-oiled, because he mentioned no other problem than the distance, and too much oil would cause it to act like the cast control was too tight. But something is wrong here; heck you might even want another BPS RC once you see what this reel can actually do. I'm a Shimano guy myself, because my lightweight reel requirement eliminates a lot of nice, but slightly heavier reels like the Revo's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmokeyJ Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 My thinking on it though is he said its been this way since he got it, so if it was over-oiled the excess should have spun off the bearings by now. I'd call BPS and see if they will fix it/replace it. I don't know if they have a warranty program or what but it shouldn't be like that from the factory. Now, if you had been trying to toss 1/8th ounce, or 1/16th ounce, I'd just say that is too light for that reel, but it should toss a 1/4 oz just fine. Call them up and raise heck and I bet they will look at it for you. Emphasize the fact that it was a gift Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamboni Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 The rick clunn is a good reel, might be the best for the money. You sure you don't have two of the cent. brake things disengaged? Maybe you have them backwards. Is the reason that you can't cast past 40 ft because you're getting backlashes? That problem will go away with time. You either got a defective reel, too much oil on the bearings, or one of your adjustments isn't where you think it is. Is this your first baitcaster? Maybe you just need to get used to throwing it. Like I said, that is a good reel and very capable caster. And BPS customer service is awesome....they'll replace it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whteglve Posted October 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 I've only had one other baitcaster a Shakespeare from the mid 80's I think. After I got home yesterday I went out and gave it another once over and about two dozen casts. I started by checking the free spool adjustment knob (for the weight of the lure) and its all the way out and barely being held on by the O-ring. I also checked the cent. braking and I tried casting with one brake, then two, and so on until all six were engaged. Yes I did get a few backlashes but my distance didn't seem effected by that. I did notice that after checking the brakes once that a couple of the little pins that the brake slides on seemed out of alignment. A couple of them were sticking out further than the others and a couple were pushed in. After I adjusted the pins so that they were all in alignment I casted a few more times. More backlashes but I think that they were mostly because I didn't use my thumb enough. That's when the wife called for supper. I think that I'll try again tonight but with different weights and see if that has anything to do with it. I'm also calling BPS and see if they can help. Thanks for the help guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamboni Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 OK, when you're adjusting the slides, are you pushing them outward to engage them and toward the center of the spool to turn them off? That's the proper way. And the way they work, when they're engaged, they will slide in and out as you cast. This is normal for them to not all be in exactly the same position. Remember, out=on, in=off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whteglve Posted October 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 I've pushed the slides in to disengage them, I'd cast after all were in and then I'd push one out and so on. No distance change. The ones that I talked about adjusting were the metal pins that the brakes slide on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 If adjusted properly, the bait should fall (slowly) to the ground when you press the thumb bar. If not, the spool tension knob is to tight. Or other problems as previously mentioned. For the money, the Shimano Scorpion 1000/1001 is the reel to buy. Nothing compares in my book! Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B BUG Posted October 5, 2007 Report Share Posted October 5, 2007 Mr. Glove There are a couple other things to consider. I know you said you owned another baitcaster in the past, but one thing that I have seen many times in the past was not filling the spool to its capacity, or using too heavy of line. I personally would rather have a spool that is too full over one that is not full enough. You can always take some off if it causes any problems. As for line weight, while you are getting use to the reel 12# test is a great place to start. As for new reels any of your name brand companies will have good to great reels it all depends upon how much money you want to spend. My way of thinking is to have one really good reel over two or three ok reels. But thats just me. LES Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted November 4, 2007 Report Share Posted November 4, 2007 Whtglv, run it by the house (Summerfield) and I'll take a look, clean the big stuff and lube it for better performance. Takes about 1-2 hrs. No charge. Send me a PM if interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
