Loop_Dad

I have two old Shimano bait casters, one from 70's the other from 80's (Bantam Black Magnum as well.) I only take them out a couple of times a year for fun. All though they still work as they were new, the limitation compared to today's reels is obvious. For example, I cannot stand the back play my black magnum has. I keep them, but for just keeping them, not for using them. In your case, you are planning on fishing with them regular basis, correct? Then I would go ahead to get them cleaned. Otherwise, I would only clean the gritty one to prevent the breakage.

+1. Go buy a bait in that range and try. This should solve your problem. If not, report back and we can help. Or go exchange the rod for M if the store let you so you can use the lures you already have.

Not familiar with your rod and no experience with Curado I, but if you are correct about your estimate of casting, and if your rod is of correct range for the lure weight, I would bet you're using too much break. I back off the break way more than what the manual say and control the over run by thumb (at the peak of the speed and at the end especially.) Actually what is the lure rating of the rod?

You might have already done this but, if you haven't.... In addition to the advices already given: Have a nice open clean work area, so in case you drop something, you'll notice it and you'll find it. (you'll drop things) Use cupcake baking pan and place the parts in order you remove them. (many screws and washers look a like on schematics) Place parts in the cup cake pan in the way you can tell the original orientation. (hard to tell which side is up/ down on schematics for small parts) Study schematics carefully and have idea of 'what to see next when this part is taken off' before you remove that part. (so that you don't accidentally lose small washer or springs which is hiding behind) Do when you have lots of time. (so that you don't make mistake due to time constraints) Good luck.

The washers weren't dry but flakes were gritty as you described.

It didn't look like dissolved cardboard yet. The washers themselves still shaped like washers. I just saw bunch of small bits everywhere in the reel. I don't have a pic and I've already taken all apart and did the total clean up of the reel and luckily everything else is fine. My take away from this is...next time I wouldn't take this kind of chance if something 'feels' wrong with used reel.

I still have one from late 80's and use it once in a while. Look at the pic. This one's (shimano rod) reel seat is embedded in the rod blank. I think it is kinda futuristic looking rod. I like how it looks with modern low profile reels.

Thanks guys, I'll just replace with Carbonex and be done with it. No need to figure what had happen as it was obviously not maintained by previous owner.

You're right actually I don't. I just assumed the OEM won't deteriorate. I had no idea this was a known issue. I heard some after market drag problems in other sites. So when I was just looking at this problem, I jumped to the conclusion too quick.

I bought a used Curado 200E7. The condition was horrible, but I kept it. Anyhow, the reel had some sort of after market drag in it and the material was flaking everywhere inside. Questions: I never had after market drags on any of my reels. Do they always flake out? Or is this sign of bad quality? Do they have shorter life span from original and expected to be replaced after a while?

Thanks for responding, but three folks above so far, none of you had first hand experience with both 200E and 200I, did I read it right? (maybe Aloneranking2 has Chronarch E to compare?) I think lots of folks says I is good because everybody else says I is good, or has lots of features, but not based on personal experience. It was like that when Tatula came out. Don't get me wrong, I'm considering 200I myself, but I want to know how good and in what way from unbiased trusted BR sources.

I've already replace the tip, but I didn't think a tip damaged by user error was covered by warranty....or is it?

Ok, probably folks already talked about this somewhere in this forum, but who can give me first hand 'on the water' comparison report between E and I and tell me why Curado I is worth spending $180 despite the boring silver color? I'm not in the market at the moment but I might be at the end of the year. So I just want to here from trusted source. Just give you idea about me, I'm satisfied with E, G and Tatula. All good enough for me.

I didn't brake the blank, just the guide of the tip got crushed. Didn't though of just calling Shimano! Thanks, I will call them.

Wow, thanks shanksmare, I drive right by them like 50 yards from them every day to and from work. I believe this is operated in residential area. I'll stop by.

Ok, anybody have Abu Garcia Vengeance 2-Piece Spinning Rods 6.6 MHF? If so how do you like it?

I'm mainly MH Casting guy. I have two spinning set up they are both M. When I go fishing myself, many times I don't bring any spinning set up. However, recently my daughter has been coming fishing with me pretty often. M's okay, but sometimes I feel we could use MH. I'm looking for something with a bit more back born so that it is easier to set hook w bigger plastic + bigger hooks. I do not want to spend much money. Any recommendation? Preferably something you can find at Academy or Dicks, so that we can use this coming weekend.

I would do that except I don't know where to get them or don't know what is 'better'. There is one fishing store near by but they look like their main business is selling live baits and not much more.

The rod tip of my Crucial (6'8" MHF) got broken. I tried to buy replacement kits from eBay which didn't go well. I wasted too much time already. Now I'll just going to order correct one from jannsnetcraft to be done with. However I am not sure which one is the right one. How do you figure out the right tube size, ring size and type of the tip? They have lots of choices here: http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/fuji-tip-tops/

I feel this depends somewhat on the water you fish. For me, I'm just fishing for fun, so as long as what I am doing works, I'm good. Sometimes I just keep fishing the same thing all day. However I am also curious and enjoy switching up and trying different things. Sometimes I catch myself switching up too much, and tell myself to keep it simple. If this makes sense...

Thought about it with VMC spin hooks, never done. I was thinking for trying different baits.

Man, this is no good as I don't know if I have all the receipts.

+1 Also everybody catch fish in legal way has legal right to keep fish, but I just cannot make myself congratulate when one of the biggest fish are kept. Sorry, nothing personal, op. This is me being honest.