What Is Wrong With My Baitcaster Reel?

[JunkYard814]

I have never paid $100 for any freshwater reel. I have some that are 15 yrs old and still get plenty of use. To me a reel holds line that I cast and retrieve. All the rest of the stuff like dual anti backlash, a whole bunch of ball bearings and everything else they claim make them better means nothing. You cannot tell the quality of the materials. Most if that stuff looks nice,sounds nice a sells even better. It does not mean your going to cast better or the reel will last longer. They are far to complicated with to many parts. My old Garcia reels cast fast long and retrieve smoothly. The spools are adjusted to the point where there is a tiny slight wobble. I also keep them oiled with light oil like 3 in 1. I think today stuff is way over rated and defiantly over priced.

 

You say that now, but how can you make an accurate assessment not having fished a reel above $100? I will agree that I've had reels that I paid $120 fish better than $200 ones, but I don't think I could find a reel under $100 that would match any of the reels I have that are over. The fact of the matter is that more expensive reels are made with better quality parts, are often lighter, have smoother retrieves, more reliable drags and better durability. If you want to fish cheaper reels, I really have no problem with that, but to say that reels over $100 are completely unnecessary is pretty much ridiculous.

[Capt.Bob]

Sounds like the pinion gear jumped the engagement pin on the spool shaft.

Usually will happen to a BC reel with super tight set drages, using a non stretch line, with weak pinion yoke springs.

Just an old service techs .02¢  

 

Tight Lines! 

my money is with R.M. on this one, would help to know which reel but if you can work on your own reels try stretching the springs on the yoke and see if it does it, if it don't it is the springs yoke or in that area causing the problem, as M.R, stated most likely weak springs if that does take care of it, this makes the most sense!

[BassCats]

Keep us updated and tell us what brand

[Deleted account]

I have never paid $100 for any freshwater reel. I have some that are 15 yrs old and still get plenty of use. To me a reel holds line that I cast and retrieve. All the rest of the stuff like dual anti backlash, a whole bunch of ball bearings and everything else they claim make them better means nothing. You cannot tell the quality of the materials. Most if that stuff looks nice,sounds nice a sells even better. It does not mean your going to cast better or the reel will last longer. They are far to complicated with to many parts. My old Garcia reels cast fast long and retrieve smoothly. The spools are adjusted to the point where there is a tiny slight wobble. I also keep them oiled with light oil like 3 in 1. I think today stuff is way over rated and defiantly over priced.

There's a bunch of kids on your lawn...

[WRB]

You are obviously not a skilled reel technician and few of us are or we don't have replacement parts.

Discount reels from the big box stores like BPS, Cableas etc do not inspect reels they sell or warrant them.

If something vibrated loose or was assembled incorrectly, you are the quality control.

2 choices; return the reel or send it out for repair; DVT for example.

Tom

[Oldplug]

I never said I never had used reels over $100 in value. II said I never paid that much for one. I am saying is it really worth it to pay that much for a reel. ???? Can you really gain anything from it as far as actual fishing. Do you think because your using a expensive reel it is going to give you a better chance at catching a bass than me are anyone else. I do not think so. That is my point. So that is all I have to say on it.

[ClackerBuzz]

you gotta open that bad boy up.   did you ever do it before?  there are tons of great youtube vids.

[.RM.]

Ok, update: I'm at the lake. Drag maxed, spool tension maxed. The spool will retrieve with the turn of the handle but the moment you pinch the line with your fingers above the line guide it will not retrieve.

It feels as if the gears don't want to grab if the slightest resistance is applied.

What's up with that?

As I replied earlier. 

sounds like weak pinion yoke springs allowing the reverse tension from fish on, and lack of smooth drags working, to release the reverse tension on the pinion and yoke from any fight.

This will cause the pinion and yoke to jump and dissengage the pin and allows the spool to reverse.

IMPO That reel will have to be replaced or repaired, no getting around it...

 

Tight Lines! 

[ClackerBuzz]

As I replied earlier. 

sounds like weak pinion yoke springs allowing the reverse tension from fish on, and lack of smooth drags working, to release the reverse tension on the pinion and yoke from any fight.

This will cause the pinion and yoke to jump and dissengage the pin and allows the spool to reverse.

IMPO That reel will have to be replaced or repaired, no getting around it...

 

Tight Lines! 

Replaced? Do you work in the health care industry!?

IF that is what it is, 2 pinion yokes springs cost under $1.

[JunkYard814]

I never said I never had used reels over $100 in value. II said I never paid that much for one. I am saying is it really worth it to pay that much for a reel. ???? Can you really gain anything from it as far as actual fishing. Do you think because your using a expensive reel it is going to give you a better chance at catching a bass than me are anyone else. I do not think so. That is my point. So that is all I have to say on it.

 

I don't mean to hijack this thread so this will be my last post. Forgetting the fact that nicer reels are more fun to fish, you are going to tell me that you don't think a person could cast any of the Revo's further than say an Abu Garcia Silver Max? Reliability plays a role too, I've had a number of cheaper reels break on me while fishing because they were made with cheaper parts. You are also more likely to lose a fish based off of a faulty drag on a cheaper reel than nicer one. There's a reason why Pro's don't use lower priced reels, and its not because they want to look cool. You get what you pay for.

[Trailer]

Have you by any chance had the handle off the reel?  If so check the spring washers and make sure they are oriented like () or )(   but not this )) or this ((.

Took reel apart they are oriented ()

[J Francho]

I'm not gong through three pages of posts, but has it been verified that this is not braid wrapped directly on the spool?

[Trailer]

I'm not gong through three pages of posts, but has it been verified that this is not braid wrapped directly on the spool?

Hahaha, guys...we got all kinds of stuff going on here. I got guys arguing whether or not you should spend over $100 on reels.

 

Here's a brief synopsis:

Purchase Date: December 2012

Make: Abu Garcia

Model: Revo S (third generation, pearl color) $129.99 at Bass Pro

Line: Fluoro or Mono

Drag: Turned clockwise all the way

Spool Tension: Turned Clockwise all the way

Clean: Reel has not been serviced. Used 4 times and have caught 1 fish. Limited Use.

Drag Washers: Look like this ( )

 

I took the reel apart. I inspected the plastic gears. I inspected the metal gears. I am not a qualified reel repair man. To the untrained eye I would not know what is wrong. There is a small gear that the axel of the spool sits in which seems to be loosely fitted but I don't know if that is wrong or right fit.

[J Francho]

Get it to a pro.  No way to diagnose over the web without opening it up.

[BassinB]

I never said I never had used reels over $100 in value. II said I never paid that much for one. I am saying is it really worth it to pay that much for a reel. ???? Can you really gain anything from it as far as actual fishing. Do you think because your using a expensive reel it is going to give you a better chance at catching a bass than me are anyone else. I do not think so. That is my point. So that is all I have to say on it.

 

Thanks for the laugh. Not much of a contribution to helping the OP...

 

I would have to say that short of taking the reel apart and using the schematic to get it back together perfectly while checking any parts for abnormalities, bring it to someone who has opened a few reels.  Sounds to me like something is misaligned or bent.

[TNBassin']

$100 says the reel is an Abu. And before I'm burned at the stake for that comment....I own all Abu rods and reels so....

[J Francho]

That info is three posts up.  Let's stay on topic, folks.

[Trailer]

Looks like this baby is going back to Bass Pro or Abu. Took it apart and back together. Couldn't tell if it was a fishing reel or a 350 small block. I don't know of any other options seeing as you guys don't have it sitting in front of you.

 

Wouldn't it be easier on me to have Bass Pro exchange it for another? I have records of the purchase.

[deaknh03]

I would return it seeing as tho you just purchased it. You shouldnt have to be going thru the pain in the butt you are dealing with for such a new reel. Bring that sucker back, get your $ back, and get a Shimano..

[TNBassin']

That info is three posts up.  Let's stay on topic, folks.

Sorry, I was viewing this from my phone at a stop light. 

[TNBassin']

Looks like this baby is going back to Bass Pro or Abu. Took it apart and back together. Couldn't tell if it was a fishing reel or a 350 small block. I don't know of any other options seeing as you guys don't have it sitting in front of you.

 

Wouldn't it be easier on me to have Bass Pro exchange it for another? I have records of the purchase.

Exchange it. BPS is great about returns and they will take care of it. I've had issues with all 3 of my Gen 3 Revos, but a swap out cured that. I have the new Revo S too, but neither the 1st or my current S has had the issues yours did. My new SX would not re engage the thumb bar after the handle was turned consistently, so that one got swapped out and all is well. I love Abu gear, but this gen has been bad for defects compared to the older Revos I've owned. Abu has a killer warranty/customer service, so I'm not too worried about it if something goes wrong after the BPS return period is up. The S is a great reel, so don't give up on it yet.

[BobP]

If you aren't used to working on reels and have a new reel that just isn't working right - the best advice is to take the darned thing back to the retailer for a refund or an exchange.  I agree with DVT about what MAY be wrong but without an experienced reel tech tearing it down, suggestions from the sidelines probably aren't going to help in this particular case.  And a guy who paid $129 for a new reel should not have to become a reel repair expert to enjoy his purchase.

[.RM.]

Replaced? Do you work in the health care industry!?

IF that is what it is, 2 pinion yokes springs cost under $1.

No but I have 28 yrs in reel service.

YES replaced that reel! Probably never should have been sold, if it was purchased last Dec. it is under warrenty and returnable.

The min. he opens the reel the warrenty would/could be voided.

 

I say return/replace the reel....

 

Tight Lines All!  

[TNBassin']

I'm not gonna fix anything that I shouldn't have too if something is under warranty or returnable. That crap gets exchanged ASAP.

[Blues19]

Bass Pro is good about returns. I forgot my reciept when I went to return a reel and they pulled up the purchase on thier computer. Take it in and they will hook you up real quick.