Using Drag On A Spincasting Reel

[tbone-111]

I'm a fishing noob and I have a cheap spincasting reel that I use to catch all sorts of fish, bass, bluegill, catfish, carp, etc. The problem I'm having is "fighting" the bigger carp/catfish with the pre-loaded 10lbs line. Everyone I talk to says I should be able to catch 30lbs + fish on 10lbs line if I do it right so I must be doing something wrong. I have trouble with 15lbs fish consistently snapping my line.

 

I've done a lot of reading and I think I know how to set the drag appropriately...I just don't know how to use it when fighting the fish. When fighting the fish and it pulls hard, if I don't have my hand on the reel handle it spins backwards fast...is that supposed to happen on this type of reel? Is that the drag working? I don't see reel handles on spinning/baitcasting reels do this so I didn't know if it was an oddity of this particular type of reel. Also, it only seems to do this when I have the bait alert system clicked on. I have a Zebco 33.

 

Any tips on fighting 'bigger' fish on this type of reel would be helpful. Also, I fish in the river and use frog lures in the muck a lot and was thinking of going with 50lbs braided line, which is roughly equivalent to the 10-15lbs monofiliment in thickness I'm currently using...bad idea or good?

[roadwarrior]

We have a thread still running on this first page: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/116704-closed-face-spincast-reels-any-good-for-bass-fishing/

If you intend to improve your skills, you need a better reel.

[tbone-111]

We have a thread still running on this first page: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/116704-closed-face-spincast-reels-any-good-for-bass-fishing/

If you intend to improve your skills, you need a better reel.

 

That thread deals with the merits of spincast vs spinning/baitcast.  That's not at all what I was wanting to discuss.  Getting a new reel is not something I want to discuss.  I had two specific questions:

 

1) The drag behavior I outlined in my opening post (reel handle spinning backwards when fish pulls hard on the line with bait alert clicked "on"....is that normal and how the drag works with this type of reel?

2)I'm thinking of using 50lbs braided line since I know the drag on these reels isn't very effective to decrease my line breaks when a bigger fish takes my lure.  This line is roughly the same size in diameter to the 10lbs mono I currenly have on the reel...is there anything else I should be considering or should this be a pretty obvious move to make?

[.RM.]

I'm a fishing noob and I have a cheap spincasting reel that I use to catch all sorts of fish, bass, bluegill, catfish, carp, etc. The problem I'm having is "fighting" the bigger carp/catfish with the pre-loaded 10lbs line. Everyone I talk to says I should be able to catch 30lbs + fish on 10lbs line if I do it right so I must be doing something wrong. I have trouble with 15lbs fish consistently snapping my line.

 

I've done a lot of reading and I think I know how to set the drag appropriately...I just don't know how to use it when fighting the fish. When fighting the fish and it pulls hard, if I don't have my hand on the reel handle it spins backwards fast...is that supposed to happen on this type of reel? Is that the drag working? I don't see reel handles on spinning/baitcasting reels do this so I didn't know if it was an oddity of this particular type of reel. Also, it only seems to do this when I have the bait alert system clicked on. I have a Zebco 33.

 

Any tips on fighting 'bigger' fish on this type of reel would be helpful. Also, I fish in the river and use frog lures in the muck a lot and was thinking of going with 50lbs braided line, which is roughly equivalent to the 10-15lbs monofiliment in thickness I'm currently using...bad idea or good?

The drag system in a Z33 is crap, 1 plastic disk and one metal.

15lb, 30lb, fish on 10lb test maybe on a quality round reel properly setup. On a Z33 not likely.

The back spin on your reels handle is lack of anti-reverse, try turning it on. If it is engaged and turning backwards the anti-reverse has blown.

 

Good Luck & Tight Lines! 

[.RM.]

That thread deals with the merits of spincast vs spinning/baitcast.  That's not at all what I was wanting to discuss.  Getting a new reel is not something I want to discuss.  I had two specific questions:

 

1) The drag behavior I outlined in my opening post (reel handle spinning backwards when fish pulls hard on the line with bait alert clicked "on"....is that normal and how the drag works with this type of reel?

2)I'm thinking of using 50lbs braided line since I know the drag on these reels isn't very effective to decrease my line breaks when a bigger fish takes my lure.  This line is roughly the same size in diameter to the 10lbs mono I currenly have on the reel...is there anything else I should be considering or should this be a pretty obvious move to make?

Not on any spin cast "Not Made For Braid", the pickup pin will not l;ast long with any braided line on a spincast....

[tbone-111]

The drag system in a Z33 is crap, 1 plastic disk and one metal.

15lb, 30lb, fish on 10lb test maybe on a quality round reel properly setup. On a Z33 not likely.

The back spin on your reels handle is lack of anti-reverse, try turning it on. If it is engaged and turning backwards the anti-reverse has blown.

 

Good Luck & Tight Lines! 

 

Not on any spin cast "Not Made For Braid", the pickup pin will not l;ast long with any braided line on a spincast....

 

 

Thank you!

[einscodek]

Your Zebco 33 with baitalert clicks when anti-reverse is off.
I suggest keeping anti-reverse on so the drag system kicks on.

Esp for a reel with weak drag, let the rod in combination with the drag fight the fish til its ready to quit.
Theres no reason you cant catch most anything in freshwater on that Zeb33.

it just may not last as long and the drag isn't the greatest.
Enjoy it while it lasts.

 

Zeb33's clearances and aperatures and unpolished parts mean 50lb braid is gonna cause you issues.  Its low capacity also means you wont be able to spool much 50# on it esp before the line angles start resisting the cast to the point the line will stop.. esp wet braid full of muck.

If you are looking for a high end spincast that could handle braid .. Daiwa Goldcast has good drag, oscillating spool, and a quality tungsten carbide pickup that can easily handle braid.

Its not for everyone.. or else go up to spinning or baitcast.
If you stay spincast I suggest high-end.

[J Francho]

I've caught some pretty big trout on a spincast, though 15 lbs. might be a stretch. It doesn't sound like the reel's anti reverse is kicking in.  I'm not sure what model (there's been a "33" model since the 60's) you have, so maybe a picture of both sides would help.  There might be a switch to turn the AR on and off.  The drag should be set to about 3-4 lbs. of resistance.  Use a scale, or a known weight to set this. It should slip at that weight.  The rest is playing out the fish.  If the reel is paying out drag, then do not reel!  That will only twist the line, and it will snap.  Move bigger fish with the rod, and reel up as you drop the rod back down.  You'll see this "pumping" style a lot on saltwater setups, and it works great with light gear.

 

A note on braid: It will ruin your reel.  Braid isn't the solution.  The reel comes with 10# Cajun line, which isn't too bad.  After 30 hours of fishing, you will want to replace it.  I'd suggest Sufix Elite in 10#, Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft in 8#, or P-Line CXX in 8#.  I recommend smaller sizes in the last two, since their break strength is much higher than stated.

 

If you get a lot out of fishing, and want to advance in your skills, I recommend getting a decent spinning rig and/or a baicasting rig.  There will be a learning curve, but fishing with sensitive, reliable tackle will greatly improve the experience.  We're always here to help you learn the new stuff too.

[Hyrule Bass]

I've caught some pretty big trout on a spincast, though 15 lbs. might be a stretch. It doesn't sound like the reel's anti reverse is kicking in.  I'm not sure what model (there's been a "33" model since the 60's) you have, so maybe a picture of both sides would help.  There might be a switch to turn the AR on and off.  The drag should be set to about 3-4 lbs. of resistance.  Use a scale, or a known weight to set this. It should slip at that weight.  The rest is playing out the fish.  If the reel is paying out drag, then do not reel!  That will only twist the line, and it will snap.  Move bigger fish with the rod, and reel up as you drop the rod back down.  You'll see this "pumping" style a lot on saltwater setups, and it works great with light gear.

 

A note on braid: It will ruin your reel.  Braid isn't the solution.  The reel comes with 10# Cajun line, which isn't too bad.  After 30 hours of fishing, you will want to replace it.  I'd suggest Sufix Elite in 10#, Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft in 8#, or P-Line CXX in 8#.  I recommend smaller sizes in the last two, since their break strength is much higher than stated.

 

If you get a lot out of fishing, and want to advance in your skills, I recommend getting a decent spinning rig and/or a baicasting rig.  There will be a learning curve, but fishing with sensitive, reliable tackle will greatly improve the experience.  We're always here to help you learn the new stuff too.

 

honestly, i disagree with the underline. any reel that comes prespooled with line, i rip that line off right away and put on some line i know i trust, i learned the hardway...and with a zebco 33 at that about 7 or 8 years ago...my bro-in-law told me "i would change that line that came on it" and of course i lost a nice fish when that line snapped on me, its the last time ive had a breakoff from a fish...

[einscodek]

JFrancho is right.. imo the Red Cajun isnt too bad and is worth 30 hours of fishing especially for a young'in