Bps Bionic Plus Baitcasting Reel Questions

[54warrior]

Hey gang,

 

Firts time poster here.  Relatively new to fishing.  Started last summer with a $15 rod/reel combo from the local hardware store, and have since upgraded recently to the BPS Bionic Plus baitcasting reel.   I've been unable to get this thing dialed in correctly.   It will cast a moderate distance with your typical crank baits, but with a lighter weight lure, such as a chatterbait, I can't get the dang thing more than 20 ft.   There seems to be three adjustments on the reel.  Two are external, and on the inside are the four centrifugal breaks.

 

I was running 10# Fireline and decided to switch to the Suffix 832.

 

After studying the BPS instructions for a bit, and trying to apply what I've learned there with no success, I thought I'd try on here.

 

Thanks for any advice or tips you may have.   Getting frustrated with this thing.

[timsford]

Im not familiar with this exact bps model but this is the way i set up my baitcasters with dual breaks. I back off eeverything and set the tension knob under the handle so the lure im using drops to the ground and doesnt overrun the spool with just a little thumb pressure and the spool doesnt mobe side to side. Then i set both magnetic and centrifugal breaks in the middle and test cast. If it backlashes at the start of the cast use more centrifugal brakes and if its at the end i use more magnetic. Centrifugal brakes are the ones on the inside and magnetic is the dial on the non handle sideplate on your reel. If it doesnt cast to your liking back them off a click at a time til tou get the distance you want or til you can't keep it from backlashing with your thumb. I dont know that this is the correct way but this is the way ive always done it. I think there is a thread on this here but im not sure how to find it and post the link. Someone else will probably post it soon. How light are the weights you are tryong to throw?

[aavery2]

The Bionic plus uses a somewhat unique braking system but it is adjusted largely the same as most others.  First, remove the side plate and adjust two of the white brake tabs into the on position by moving them outward, away from the spool shaft.  If there are more than two turned on, turn those off by pushing them inward towards the spool shaft.  It is best to have the tabs directly adjacent to one another on rather than two side by side.   Reinstall your side plate.  On the same side plate you removed, adjust the dial to the off or lowest setting position.   On the opposite side plate the one with the handle on it, tighten the knob (spool tension knob)  to a slightly snug position.   Tie the bait that you plan on using to your line, once done hold the rod with the tip elevated and press the thumb bar in the same manner you would if you were going to cast the bait, you may need to keep your thumb on the spool if the bait begins to fall, if the bait does not fall carefully, begin to loosen the spool tension knob, this is one on the handle side plate that you snugged down earlier, until the bait just begins to fall.  Once you have this adjusted so the bait falls at a slow controlled rate, adjust the dial on the palm plate that you removed earlier to a medium level, maybe halfway or slightly more.  Start here and make some casts, if you are not getting the distance you desire, make small adjustment to the spool tension knob by loosening it and also by turning the dial down on the side plate 1 level at a time until you reach an acceptable casting distance. 

 

Read the instructions that came with the reel, it will explain the operation of your reel in detail.

Hope it helps.

[54warrior]

The Bionic plus uses a somewhat unique braking system but it is adjusted largely the same as most others.  First, remove the side plate and adjust two of the white brake tabs into the on position by moving them outward, away from the spool shaft.  If there are more than two turned on, turn those off by pushing them inward towards the spool shaft.  It is best to have the tabs directly adjacent to one another on rather than two side by side.   Reinstall your side plate.  On the same side plate you removed, adjust the dial to the off or lowest setting position.   On the opposite side plate the one with the handle on it, tighten the knob (spool tension knob)  to a slightly snug position.   Tie the bait that you plan on using to your line, once done hold the rod with the tip elevated and press the thumb bar in the same manner you would if you were going to cast the bait, you may need to keep your thumb on the spool if the bait begins to fall, if the bait does not fall carefully, begin to loosen the spool tension knob, this is one on the handle side plate that you snugged down earlier, until the bait just begins to fall.  Once you have this adjusted so the bait falls at a slow controlled rate, adjust the dial on the palm plate that you removed earlier to a medium level, maybe halfway or slightly more.  Start here and make some casts, if you are not getting the distance you desire, make small adjustment to the spool tension knob by loosening it and also by turning the dial down on the side plate 1 level at a time until you reach an acceptable casting distance. 

 

Read the instructions that came with the reel, it will explain the operation of your reel in detail.

Hope it helps.

 

 

Thank you.  This is very helpful.  You did a better job of explaining what each of the controls dials are called, making it easier to understand what the purpose of each one is!  I'll give this a try.  Thanks!

[54warrior]

Im not familiar with this exact bps model but this is the way i set up my baitcasters with dual breaks. I back off eeverything and set the tension knob under the handle so the lure im using drops to the ground and doesnt overrun the spool with just a little thumb pressure and the spool doesnt mobe side to side. Then i set both magnetic and centrifugal breaks in the middle and test cast. If it backlashes at the start of the cast use more centrifugal brakes and if its at the end i use more magnetic. Centrifugal brakes are the ones on the inside and magnetic is the dial on the non handle sideplate on your reel. If it doesnt cast to your liking back them off a click at a time til tou get the distance you want or til you can't keep it from backlashing with your thumb. I dont know that this is the correct way but this is the way ive always done it. I think there is a thread on this here but im not sure how to find it and post the link. Someone else will probably post it soon. How light are the weights you are tryong to throw?

 

Thank you also for your help.  I will attempt to apply this technique as well.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Most likely the rod is not loading properly for the lighter weight bait. Check that and the spool tension adjustment.