Browns7213 Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 My wife and I got a couple Zebco 33 reels in early spring and are now having issues when we cast. The line will go out a little ways and then lock-up and not go any farther. We thought the lines were tangled in the spool, but they were fine. We restrung her spool with all new line, but same issues. Any suggestions as to what we are doing wrong? Thanks Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted June 23, 2014 Super User Posted June 23, 2014 Are you casting to the end of the line? I would cast until it stops and pop the top off. Look for anything that might be holding it up Quote
Boogey Man Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 Had you cut and re-tied a lot? Been a while since I used one of these, but seems like they did this if the spool was not full. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted June 24, 2014 Posted June 24, 2014 Line twist raises heck with these same as spinning reels only worse. Tie a swivel on and Tie off the swivel to a stationary object. Walk off 2 casts worth of line and put a stretch into the line. Unhook the swivel and rewind the line holding some pressure on it. If you can treat the line with line conditioner while you spool it back on. This should help a lot. If you've retied a lot and line level is rally low respool with new line then follow above steps. Quote
Browns7213 Posted June 24, 2014 Author Posted June 24, 2014 Are you casting to the end of the line? I would cast until it stops and pop the top off. Look for anything that might be holding it up Not even close there was a ton of line left on both spools. Quote
Browns7213 Posted June 24, 2014 Author Posted June 24, 2014 Had you cut and re-tied a lot? Been a while since I used one of these, but seems like they did this if the spool was not full. Yes we have had to do this with all the snags we have encountered. Quote
Browns7213 Posted June 24, 2014 Author Posted June 24, 2014 Line twist raises heck with these same as spinning reels only worse. Tie a swivel on and Tie off the swivel to a stationary object. Walk off 2 casts worth of line and put a stretch into the line. Unhook the swivel and rewind the line holding some pressure on it. If you can treat the line with line conditioner while you spool it back on. This should help a lot. If you've retied a lot and line level is rally low respool with new line then follow above steps. Ok will give this a try. What is line conditioner? Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted June 24, 2014 Posted June 24, 2014 The best is called KVD Line & Lure conditioner besides that, you can use Reel Magic or WD40. Spray some on a rag and reel the line through it. Line conditioners soften the line to give it less memory making it easier to handle. A spincast reel doesn't have to be empty of line for it to show symptoms that can be corrected by filling the spool. Quote
Browns7213 Posted June 24, 2014 Author Posted June 24, 2014 The best is called KVD Line & Lure conditioner besides that, you can use Reel Magic or WD40. Spray some on a rag and reel the line through it. Line conditioners soften the line to give it less memory making it easier to handle. A spincast reel doesn't have to be empty of line for it to show symptoms that can be corrected by filling the spool. Okay, thanks much for the info & suggestions! Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted June 24, 2014 Super User Posted June 24, 2014 If you have decided to spend more time fishing you might consider stepping up your game. Spinning tackle is VERY user friendly and both of you could pick it up in a day or two. Quote
Browns7213 Posted June 24, 2014 Author Posted June 24, 2014 If you have decided to spend more time fishing you might consider stepping up your game. Spinning tackle is VERY user friendly and both of you could pick it up in a day or two. Okay, we may be able to take advantage of some 4th of the July sales. Do you have some recommendations that won't break the bank, but are very reliable? Quote
Super User Raul Posted June 24, 2014 Super User Posted June 24, 2014 Okay, we may be able to take advantage of some 4th of the July sales. Do you have some recommendations that won't break the bank, but are very reliable? Check the Daiwa Legalis, Daiwa Laguna, Shimano Sedona, Shimano Sahara. Any of them is much better than those reels you are using and all cost $60 or less. Quote
Super User K_Mac Posted June 24, 2014 Super User Posted June 24, 2014 Okay, we may be able to take advantage of some 4th of the July sales. Do you have some recommendations that won't break the bank, but are very reliable? The Pflueger President spinning reel would be a great place to start. The Trion will do, but for the money the President is a better value. Making the jump from spincast to spinning will make fishing much more enjoyable after a bit of a learning curve. Avoiding line twist while spooling is a little challenging, but if you have twist pulling some off out in the yard or behind the idling boat and reeling it back in will eliminate it. Closing the bail by hand and lifting slightly as the bait touches down will also help keep the line from looping and twisting. Using your index finger ( on the hand holding the reel) to stop the bait will improve accuracy. Do not continue to reel when the fish is taking line-this will twist it. This sounds like a lot, but other than closing the bail these are all issues you had with spincast anyway. Good luck. Let us know how you're doing and if we can help. Quote
Super User Crestliner2008 Posted June 24, 2014 Super User Posted June 24, 2014 I agree with what has been said as well, step up to open faced spinning reels. However, to get back to your problem, it sure sounds like you've got line under the line spool guide cover. Take off the outside cover. You will find a slotted nut in the center of the line guide cover. Unscrew it and lift off that cover. I think you will find some of your line wrapped around the screw under there. Remove it and re-assemble. That should fix that particular problem. Seriously think about upgrading to open faced spinning equipment. You can usually get combination deals at Cabelas or BPS or even Walmarts sometimes. 1 Quote
Capt.Bob Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 I agree with what has been said as well, step up to open faced spinning reels. However, to get back to your problem, it sure sounds like you've got line under the line spool guide cover. Take off the outside cover. You will find a slotted nut in the center of the line guide cover. Unscrew it and lift off that cover. I think you will find some of your line wrapped around the screw under there. Remove it and re-assemble. That should fix that particular problem. Seriously think about upgrading to open faced spinning equipment. You can usually get combination deals at Cabelas or BPS or even Walmarts sometimes. If you haven't lost line to amount to anything, this is good advice, even better was to up the game to spinning gear!! Quote
Browns7213 Posted June 25, 2014 Author Posted June 25, 2014 If you haven't lost line to amount to anything, this is good advice, even better was to up the game to spinning gear!! This was not the cause, we pulled off the spool guide covers on both poles and no tangles. I got buy in from my finance manager that we can go for the open faced reels. She did however have an ulterior motive as she dropped the bomb on me that her brother and his girlfriend are coming to spend 4th of July with us. So even though we can get new reels she wants the Zebcos fixed so our guests can use them to fish with us. Oh Joy! Quote
Capt.Bob Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 This was not the cause, we pulled off the spool guide covers on both poles and no tangles. I got buy in from my finance manager that we can go for the open faced reels. She did however have an ulterior motive as she dropped the bomb on me that her brother and his girlfriend are coming to spend 4th of July with us. So even though we can get new reels she wants the Zebcos fixed so our guests can use them to fish with us. Oh Joy! If that's the case,,, keep them full, full spools are a must, and don't go heavier than 10 lbs. test line, preferably 8 lbs. test. These reels wont cast when just a little low on line, and never crank against the drag, or as DVT said, feed it all out and rereel!! Good Luck, and trust me,,,you will enjoy the new reels!! 1 Quote
Browns7213 Posted June 25, 2014 Author Posted June 25, 2014 If that's the case,,, keep them full, full spools are a must, and don't go heavier than 10 lbs. test line, preferably 8 lbs. test. These reels wont cast when just a little low on line, and never crank against the drag, or as DVT said, feed it all out and rereel!! Good Luck, and trust me,,,you will enjoy the new reels!! Sorry to be a dunce, but what do you mean when you say don't crank against the drag? I'm a city boy who recently moved to the country who is learning about the finer things in life like fishin, huntin and gator wrasslin. Quote
georgeyew Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 Sorry to be a dunce, but what do you mean when you say don't crank against the drag? I'm a city boy who recently moved to the country who is learning about the finer things in life like fishin, huntin and gator wrasslin. Basically don't spinning the handle when the line is not being reeled in. Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted June 25, 2014 Super User Posted June 25, 2014 Sorry to be a dunce, but what do you mean when you say don't crank against the drag? I'm a city boy who recently moved to the country who is learning about the finer things in life like fishin, huntin and gator wrasslin. When a fish is pulling out line, ie. engaging the drag; be sure not to reel in. It puts twist in the line and undue stress on the reels internals. From my experience using Zebco 33s, most folks don't use the drag anyway and crank it all the way tight. I was thinking about your casting issue as well. If you remove the lid, check the plastic piece that sits on top of the spool. It's been about 15 years since I've used one, but I seem to remember that plastic piece sometimes sticking up on one side maybe just a hair and a loop of line will catch it when the line is flying off the spool. Quote
Stasher1 Posted July 14, 2014 Posted July 14, 2014 Remove the chrome cover from the end of the reel and spin the end-piece off (the part that contains the pins that pop up when you start reeling) and make sure the ends of the springs attached to the pins are properly seated in their retainers. If they're not, the pins will flop around and occasionally snag the line mid-cast. I had this happen several years ago with a Platinum 33. Zebco was quick to send out replacement parts, but I had already solved the problem with a dab of JB Weld before they arrived. Quote
paleus Posted July 14, 2014 Posted July 14, 2014 Pflueger Trion combos are $60 at BassPro. It's actually a fairly decent rod too. Quote
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