I've had mine for about 1/2 a season and have still yet to be consistent with my casting. I know the reel has 3 different brake settings, not sure which one does what .....the reel has 25# big game and is on a 10' graphite. I use it mostly for jigs and weightless cunks.......what am I doing wrong?.....any tips

Let me take it and try it out for a while - I wanna make sure the reel is OK first... ;)

Seriously, exactly what is happening? Too many backlashes? Not enough distance? Let us know more what the problem is that you're running into...

Goose,

I got the same reel, I am only able to get about 270 feet out of it with Power Pro and a 3oz jig head.

Do they make ABEC bearing for this thing???


P.S. You said three adjustments??? I only use the one on the right side to adjust the tension on the spool. Where are the other two? What am I missing?

And what about these Penn Extreme reels? Is this a dream come true?

http://www.pennfishing.com/europe/fixedspool.htm


Mikecc or DonM, you guys know anything about them?

I have a 975 and it casts well. You have to open up the reel and remove either two or all of the brakes. This will significantly increase your casting distance. Start by removing two and if you are not getting backlashes, remove the other two. I hope this helps.

Steve K

Tattoo... I had a 965, and I would assume the brakes are the same. If you take the spool out, on the left side will be a white plastic dial of sorts that if you tur, will put the pins in an on / off position. Those pins are the brakes. There are 4 settings I believe and I think they ship with it in 2. The manual will tell you exactly how to do it.

Charlie

I've been fishing with the 965 since it came out 3 seasons ago and the 975 since it came out 2 years ago.

Part 1: The deal with the brakes is pretty straightforward. On the non-drive side of the spool there is a white plastic circular piece with four bars with little white pieces on the end. If you look closely it says 0, 2, 4. O is no brakes set (take them out if you want but it doesn't improve distance), and 4 is the slowest.Those brakes spin outwardly slowing the spool down when you cast. They move the most at 4, halfway at 2 and not at all at 0 when they are locked into place. To change the setting simply lift up on the *rotor* and twist until it drops into the desired setting.

Part 2: The knob on the drive side of the reel controls spool tension. Basically it just pushes the spool axle against the brass washers on the ends to slow it down. The manual will tell you to set it so that when you the lure from the tip to the floor it shouldn't backlash. This will kill your casting distance. Set it so there is a small knock side to side in the spool. Andjust as needed.

The really sucky part about these reels compared to Abu's or Newells (for casting) is the bar across the top of the reel. It makes it hard to use your thumb on the side of the spool and makes you just use the tip of the thumb which sucks. It's non casting downfalls are the maitenance required to keep the free-spool engaged while casting and to keep the drag smooth (way smoother than abu's) and the roller bearing clean. It is the lightest smoothest coolest most bestest reel if you do clean it once a week though......

When I first spooled up the reel I had 25# mono, I did fine but when I put on the braided is when the lashes accoured . I then spooled up with mono to throw weightless chunks and I'm still not getting consistent. Throwing the jigs I took much precaution, yet every time I tried to get decent distance, the reel would %$^$& on me !

I tried the different brake settings under the side plate.....more or less the same result . Ya think it's me ? I'm gonna put some fresh line this weekend and do some practice casting in the park....


Thanks, I'll keep checking for more tips

Goose, how full is the spool? Too much line and it can really get away from you. Are you loading the rod up well, sometimes if you are trying to cast something below what the rod is rated for you can end up with a rats nest every other cast.

Goose, I would take the braid off until you really get the hang of it. It's one thing to get a little overrun when casting a light chunk 20 yards but it digs alot deeper when you are throwing a 4 oz jig 100 plus. I might also try 20 lb test BG for two reasons; the first is you so want to leave a little room open on the top of the spool ( more yardage w/ lower test) and it is also a little limper and cast easier. Did you figure out the casting weights and spool control? Feel free to e-mail me if I can help with any other questions. It is a tougher reel to get used to than most as your finding out. Don't try to fish eels with it yet!!!

Hey Goose I got a 965 and a new rod for Xmas. Maybe we should get together and go over to the island and give them a try, that way no one will see us make fools of our selves as we catch those 40-50 lbs on eels:D I learned long ago that the best way to stop backlashes is a educated thumb:btu: I have loaded mine up with 20# mono to start with.

I had very good results learning to cast with my 975 last season using 50lb. Spectron. Very rarely did it backlash but when it did I had it out in less than a minute. I found the reel to be happy casting 2oz. or more, which wasn't a problem cuz I was using it to toss heavy jigs and rigged eels primarily. Definatley load the rod properly and don't try to "swing for the fences", that's when I had my problems. Once I learned how to let the rod do the work the problems almost disappeared completely.