One evening while sitting around, the great old wise fisherman that my buddy and I fish with posed a question to ponder to us two young lads that I have been unable to answer or prove on my own. The question is as follows:

Know how when reels get worn out and they start to creak or grind, or become a little sloppy, well, does that noise or vibration in someway get transfered down the line for the fish to sense? Is it at all increased with braided lines versus mono? Does it have no effect at all?

I have wondered this but I know another fisherman who's reel creeks so loud you can hear it down the beach when he is eeling, but he is still a reel good fisherman and catches lots of big fish, so perhaps it doesn't matter?

What do ya'll think?

Well, Since most of the time, at least if you're fishing bait, you not reeling while waiting for the bite, I'd guess it doesn't matter. With lures, the splashing of the lure would probably cover any weak sound coming down the line.

One school of thought is that "everything matters". how much it matters is dependent on how serious you are and how much time you have to be sure "everything is OK".

I think it can't be good for the reel at all. As far as spooking fish? I don't think so. If you can catch fish with rattling plugs, why would whatever little noise that might get transfered all the way down to the terminal tackle make much difference?
I may be wrong, but I doubt it.:huh:

IT MAY BE THAT THAT ADDED NOISE WILL ATTRACT THE FISH. LOL

oHH SORRY ID DID NOT REALISE i WAS YELLING NOTE TO SELF TAKE THE CAPS LOCK OFF. Ahh thats better.:laughs:

I’ve wondered about this myself, so here is some Food for Thought:rolleyes:
Those of us who were old enough could remember (before video games). As kids we would take piece of string and attached an empty tin can at each end. If the sound could travel over the taught string, wouldn’t it be the same with a tight fishing line pulling a swimmer.
Now add: the amplification made with the fiberglass or graphite pole, the better quality string, and that fact that sound travels farther in water.

If you take away the factor of casting into a blitz, does the constant squeak ruin the presentation of a good needlefish or swimmer?
:confused: :smash:

IMO...

I don't see it interfeering at all. Beside the obvious - (the reel needing service), fish themselves, give off a pulse...so I would think ..if anything, it can't hurt. And like BigBo said, plugs with internal rattles work pisssssa :)

I'll say this though, I've owned noisy reels..and you're definately NOT at 100% unless ALL your senses are ready. When your buddys' fishing by your side and you get a bump, you want silence right? WHY??...because you want ALL your senses at they're best. Fix the reel.

Some reels make all kinds of racket when they work perfectly...

John R has a good point, :point:
On my 7 1/2 foot St. Croix I use a small Penn that makes a constant clicking noise, even when working perfectly.
I wonder if this is turning them off when trying to tempt a striper from underneath a pier, on a still night:confused:
Am now thinking of switching back to my quieter diawa reel, becouse of this.:scatter:

No what I think!! You think to much ,now go catch fish!! :laughs:

Redlite, i talked to another old slat down there this weekend, after this conversation, if that person fishes a lot he probably has those big fish conditioned to that noise, they hear it and come running for a tasty meal or nice big plug.still afew left down there