Went out and did some casting trials with a variety of rods, some new, some existing. Again, the Daiwa spinners outperformed everything else, on every rod I used them on. BOY do I hope these reels last a long time!

But my questions revolve around my conventional reels, a Tica Pisces and a Shimano 401, both level-wind reels.

1. What kind of distance are you guys getting out of your Tica's and Shimano's? What about on 7-8' rods?

I have both spooled up with 30# Power Pro, which seems like good casting line. I'm trying between one and four ounces, but no matter what I do, I can't seem to break 90 yards. 76, 78, 82, and even 87, but no more. The reels are pretty much equal.

The Daiwa spinner,(20# braid) as a direct comparison, is hitting 100-120 yards consistently with 2 ounces, on a very similar blank. I really don't think it's the blank. It is either me or the reel, and I'm guessing it's me!

2. To get better distance, MUST one change bearings and use rocket fuel and so on?

I can loosen up spool tension a bit, but I'm afraid I'll blow up my expensive braid if I loosen much more. Already, I'm almost on the edge of backlash on my harder casts, but the distance stays the same.

3. Will bearings and Rocket Fuel really help since I'm using spool tension anyway?

OH DUHHH.... I forgot about the centrifugal brakes, until just now!

4. How many brakes would you recommend leaving on in either of these reels, for best combo of control and distance? I wamt to say I have three brakes engaged, but am not positive.

Please understand that I'm not really complaining, because actually, 80+ yards is pretty good for me! But that is with a sinker only, and I know I won't get that kind of distance with lures or plugs.

I keep hearing some talking about 100-200 yard casts with their conventionals. And I've seen one of the guys at the ditch with a Newell throw a jig at least 100 yards at the Ditch. He was smokin'!

Thanks in advance.

TH

Thill the guys to talk to is Big Dave or Ron Arra. For distance casting mono is the way to go and the reels are customized for this. Most guys like the 6500 series Abu's but some use Newells.

Canalratt.

I'm was very surprised to find that mono casts the same or farther with conventionals, but everyone says the same thing. I guess it's true.

I use braid not for casting distance, but for the thin profile and low stretch, giving me much more feel and control with less weight in a fast current. You fish the Ditch, so I don't need to tell you.

Thanks for the info!

TH

Hi THill. Eventually , you want to have absolutely no tension on the spool. In fact , you want the spool to have about 30 thousands play side to side. Absolutely no side tension at all. Most guys use 2 brakes fishing but you will get the best distance with no brakes at all. With a smoth build up on the cast motion , you don't need brakes. the brakes only help the first couple of seconds of the cast and that all has to do with a smooth build up and release. Spool tension from the side knob is an absolute no no. I don't know any good casters who use any side spool tension at all.

Overruns are murder while fishing but the trick is to educate the thumb and cast withing your limits. You just kill the whole cast with side tension and once you get a smooth casting motion , the brakes don't do anything anyway after the fisrt few seconds.

The mono is more forgiven you backlash its easy to pick out. Yes braid is thinner and sensitive but harder to cast with. Now you can trick up your reel with all the gizmo's and match up an Arra rod and be king of the beach but will it help you catch fish... maybe but hook a fish at the end of your cast, you will have a hard time landing it. Most of the guys that are into tourny distance casting have the gear just for that and don't fish with it. If you want to add distance to your existing or want to upgrade get ahold of Big Dave or Ron Arra. Oh and like Saltheart said take all your brakes out, educate the thumb, thumb your side plate NOT your line, practice...

thumb your side plate NOT your line

AAAAHHHHHHHH...... Something new to me!

I've always filled my reels up all the way, to give me the best retrieve speed...

I have some ideas in my head, now that I think about it, But let me ask, WHY the side-plate and not the line?

(Thanks for all the help, by the way!)

TH

Hi Thill

For me to answer the questions you ask will only make you want to ask more questions. With that being said Please send me a PM and i will give you my phone number. I will be happy to talk you through all of it. That goes for any one else on the board as well. I would be more than happy to help any of the members here with trying to improve casting as well as reel modifications and tunning. Regards Big Dave

Thill,

Just started using a conventional this year, level-wind (Tica Caiman, 9’ Lamiglas, 15lb mono) and am by no means an expert. My distances are about, 75-85 yards, maybe 95 max. I actually went to a local ball field to measure it out. Wind behind my back using a 2 ¼ oz Gibbs popper.

I don’t use the breaks, and use the spool tension only. Set by the drop of the lure/weight with the rod held horizontally with no spool over run when it hits the ground. This works fine with the 2 oz, but I do have problems at times when I drop down to a 1 ½ oz, (the spool gets away from me). I don’t know if this is the best, but this is what I’ve been doing.

If I have this too loose I get the over run on the spool and problems with the line. I don’t have my thumb educated. But, I’ve been thumbing the line, and from reading this tread maybe I should be thumbing the side of the spool. I haven’t tried this!!!

I’m not using any special oil, no new bearing and no other changes to the reel.

I’m looking at improving my distance and am assuming it’s me getting the casting down and letting up in the spool tension as my main problems……

RockyRhode

Dave,

I'm heading out of town. Back in a week, so I'll contact you then, if that's OK? Always enjoy talking about fishing! THANKS!


RR,
You are casting a lot farther than I am. I'm throwing straight sinkers. A real plug would not give me the distances you are reaching. Probably the brakes are my problem, but I'll have to find out whan we get back home.

Good luck!

TH

I use the side plate and feel it gives you better control. If your thumb gets wet it will be wet where your thumb is touching the line but the side of your thumb stays drier and mantains better control. Guys like Big Dave just cast and never even thumb anything! Of course its hard to backlash when you can cast to the end of your line!;)

Thill,

I don’t think I’m casting much farther than you. With using the Gibbs (Polaris style), I have pretty good luck casting these. They sail straight out there. If I switch to something else I’m sure my distance would be cut down. I tried an egg with a bucktail earlier in the season and had problems. I haven’t tried that again…..

Not using the breaks is a big help in distance for me. I need to get the spool freed up, but I don’t have that down yet. I’m trying to get some speed behind the cast, some times it feels great and other times I get messed up in timing. I’m thinking about freeing up the spool a little more and doing more of a lob and see what that gets me.

Unfortunately when I’m out there I what to catch fish and am going back to the spinning set-up.



Canalratt1,

Thanks for the side plate info....


RockyRhode