Lew's Tourney Pro Problems!

[averagebass123]

I bought a Lew's tourney pro last summer and I am so disappointed after seeing so many great reviews. I can't seem to cast more than about 50 feet with lures under 1/2 ounce. And don't say thats alot because I can cast well over 100 feet with a H20 mettle reel ($50)... 
 
I sent it back to lew's speed service about 2 months ago, who by the way had suprisingly good customer service, and they sent me a new one. Well guess what-- I'm back in the same position; disappointed. I have the same exact problems as before: low casting distance, unusable centrifugal brakes, inconsistent magnetic brakes.
 
If someone thinks they could help me at all with this reel and its very modern braking mechanics, then please do. If you own this reel, can you tell me what brake settings you use and how far you can cast with certain lures.
 
Oh, and I have cleaned/lubed this reel a few times before and it seemed to not help too much. I really don't know what to do, but i emailed lew's speed service asking if i could just get a refund.
 
Sorry about such a long post, but i wanted to put my thoughts/problems out there.
 
Thanks

[Teal]

I dont really know what to tell ya. Ive have 5 TPs and never had a BIG issue. I only has that problem due to being overlubed, but I quickly remedied that.

But if they dont refund you, PM, ill take it off your hands if the price is right.

[JunkYard814]

Do you have it paired on a rod rated for the size of the lure your casting? I have a Tournament Speed Spool and I'm able to toss small frogs about 40-50 yards even with 60lb braid. I think I have two centrifugal breaks on (could be zero, I haven't checked since last season) and no magnetic breaks. 

[Hi Salenity]

Tell us more, what do you have the reel set at? What rod/ line/ bait

[GaterB]

I have a TP, and have fished weightless worms the majority of this spring, easily tossing them 30 yards or so with two centrifugal brakes on and the magnets set from 3 to 6. I have the spool tension set to where the worm and hook just barely fall. I have it paired with a Duckett 7' MH and it works great. Like Hi Salenity said, what are your settings, and what setup are you using?

[averagebass123]

Thanks for the responses everyone, and i have messed around with the brakes alot. I usually have 2 centrifugals on and magnetics set at around 2 or 3.  And the cast control knob loose enough so the lure falls slowly. I would be shocked if i got 2 lemons in a row.

 

Also, I have 14 pound berkeley line and yesterday I cleaned and lubed the bearings, but the distance was hardly increase.

 

Thanks

[averagebass123]

The rod is a St. Croix triumph and i have been testing it lately with a 1/4 oz crankbait. It can cast maybe 50 feet with it, but nowhere close to my h20 mettle!

[Hi Salenity]

Try a 1/2 oz lure. 1/4 oz with 14# line may be tough... Also try Kvd l&l

If it will throw the 1/2 oz without a problem it's probably not 100% the reel. What I'm trying to say is if I am throwing 1/4oz I'm probably going to use my Curado 50e or Core 50 they excel at that...

[averagebass123]

Yeah i have a feeling my line could be a big part of the problem.

 

Yesterday I cleaned/lubed the spool bearing and the bearing on the side plate. I also put a little bit of oil on the copper ring that the centri. brakes rub against to slow the spool down and that really seemed to do the trick. I can cast a 3/8 oz rebel wee-r about 80 feet, and at the end of the cast, the lure really comes to a sudden stop and i think it is because the line is not too good and i don't have alot on the spool.

 

I think i could really throw a rat-l-trap with this reel now. A 1/2 oz rat-l-trap was the only lure i could get good distance on with this reel ever.

[bmlum415]

Mine to with. 1/4 oz jig and 15lb flouro on a dobyns 744 casts 50yds easily

[averagebass123]

Mine to with. 1/4 oz jig and 15lb flouro on a dobyns 744 casts 50yds easily

bmlum, what settings are you using on centri brakes when you get that kind of distance?

[Teal]

I have my cent set with 2 brakes, and my mag brakes set on 2-5 (normally 2 unless its windy) and can cast a 3/16 with a hollow body swimmer almost 35 yards consistantly.

I can do the same with 1/4 texas rigs. Rod being used is a Powell 723Endurance with 30lba braid

[averagebass123]

I think my main problem is the line. I gave it a test yesterday and i can cast stuff pretty far, but the lure comes to a sudden stop cause the last 50 feet of line i have on m reel is very stiff/stubborn.

[Megastink]

sounds like you may have oil or water or debris on the spool track. give it a wipe with paper towels. that might help.

[bmlum415]

bmlum, what settings are you using on centri brakes when you get that kind of distance?

two on with magnets at about 5

[averagebass123]

What exactly does it mean to flush a bearing out? Does that mean with acetone?

[Hi Salenity]

Yes, and then after its dry add a small touch of oil.

I use stock Shimano oil

[averagebass123]

Yes, and then after its dry add a small touch of oil.

I use stock Shimano oil

So do you just take out the bearing, then put it in a container with acetone in it, or do you put acetone on bearing or what?

 

Im new to this cleaning stuff

[TrippyJai]

So do you just take out the bearing, then put it in a container with acetone in it, or do you put acetone on bearing or what?

 

Im new to this cleaning stuff

 

Yep, place the bearings in a container with acetone and let it sit over night. You might need to flush it a few times to get all the factory grease out of it. Once your done, let it air dry and place 1 drop of oil in each bearing.

[averagebass123]

Yep, place the bearings in a container with acetone and let it sit over night. You might need to flush it a few times to get all the factory grease out of it. Once your done, let it air dry and place 1 drop of oil in each bearing.

do you have to open the bearings up, or can do you just put a drop of oil on the bearing and let it sink into the bearing?

[TrippyJai]

do you have to open the bearings up, or can do you just put a drop of oil on the bearing and let it sink into the bearing?

 

Don't try to open the bearings, you might damage them. That is why I prefer to soak them a few times and overnight to make sure I get all the old grease out.

 

Once you've air dried them, they should spin freely. Place one drop of oil and that's it.

 

Note: if the drop of oil didn't get into the bearing, it will continue to spin freely, but if it got in, it'll only spin for like 2-3seconds, which is what you want.

 

http://www.tackletour.com/images2/imgbearings101c.jpg

Place a drop between the inner race and shield. There's a little gap there.

[averagebass123]

Thanks everyone for the help! I may have fixed it. I am going to try at some point completely flushing out the bearings and then putting new oil (1 drop), but i don't have very good oil right now. It is just some all-purpose oil, and i am waiting for some boca oil when i buy the bearings for my old Bantam cu200.

 

The big fixs were;

 

1. new oil, cleaning of the spool shaft and bearing with cutips and paper towel.

2. new line- got a full spool of berkely 12 lb smooth cast, and it is great for cheap line.

[averagebass123]

So should i just take out the bearings from the reel, then put in maybe a plastic disposable cup with some acetone for 2 day/nights. Then i will take out and let em sit on a towel for 30 mins. Then i will put em back in reel and put one drop of oil on each bearing.

 

Sound good?

[BobP]

Yeah, line memory and  how full the spool is are biggies when considering casting distance.  If your spool is half full, it has to turn much faster than a full spool to get the same casting distance.  That's not practical because then you have to apply too much cast/brake control to keep it from backlashing.