Steven Rea Posted January 9, 2015 Posted January 9, 2015 Just got my Shimano Cardiff 400A series reel in a few days ago, and needless to say I was shocked. First impression is that it's a bit heavy (I'm used to using a Shimano Core 50MG7 as my all around reel), but then again, it's the right size for chucking big swimbaits. The only thing I'm having a bit of trouble with is maximizing my casting distance with big swimbaits - an 8" Savage Gear 3D Line-Thru Trout and a 6" Spro BBZ1 Jr. Swimbait to be precise. My backyard is about an acre and a half in size, and I can barely throw these swimbaits 3/4 of the way across my yard. I've seen people on YouTube with the same reel being able to long bomb their baits with ease and they fly a country mile. Anyone have any suggestions? I currently have 3 brakes engaged and the other 3 disengaged, while the spool tension knob is loose enough so the spool has a little wiggle room if that helps any. Quote
Super User deep Posted January 9, 2015 Super User Posted January 9, 2015 Try one brake on, 5 off. Tighten up the spool tension a little. Check your casting technique if the rod loads up correctly. Let out 3 feet or more line before casting. Do a lob cast instead of an overhead one. Just a few things to try assuming the reel is clean and lubed. What rod do you have? Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted January 9, 2015 Posted January 9, 2015 How far is 3/4 of the way across your yard? How far is a "Country Mile"? Rod, line, bait all affect casting as well but I don't think you have as much of a problem as you may think. Quote
Steven Rea Posted January 9, 2015 Author Posted January 9, 2015 I've taken the entire reel apart, greased the gears and lubed all the ball bearings. I've been fishing since I was born basically (21 years young), and I like to think I know what I'm doing when it comes to cleaning reels. As far as the rod goes, I have it paired on an Okuma Guide Series Big Bait Rod (7'11 XH 15-40lb line 2-10oz lure weight). It's a $134.99 rod at Tackle Warehouse, and it seemed to be one of the best rods for big swimbait fishing while on a budget. I'm also using 20# Trilene Big Game monofilament line. My backyard is about 130ft from my patio to the end of my backyard (Municipal Airport is past my backyard, so there's a fence surrounding their property). I've been doing both lob and overhand casts, and I get about 20ft or more doing the overhand cast, but not with 3ft of line out. I normally just do 1ft or even 1.5ft of line out. Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted January 9, 2015 Super User Posted January 9, 2015 Well ok, new question... What weight are you attempting to throw? Quote
Super User deep Posted January 10, 2015 Super User Posted January 10, 2015 Ok, I don't know what to say then. I cast big baits like I cast small baits, and I can cast far enough with stock Cardiffs. If the rod loads with the baits (they are kinda light), search for this Matt Allen video on youtube: "How to cast swimbaits". Might help. Quote
Steven Rea Posted January 10, 2015 Author Posted January 10, 2015 I'm trying to throw a 3 1/3oz bait. It's a Savage Gear Line Thru 3D Swimbait in the 8" slow sink model. Quote
Steven Rea Posted January 10, 2015 Author Posted January 10, 2015 Matt Allen is using a Shimano Calcutta 400TE in that video. He's long bombing that bait, and I can't even cast half that distance... Is the Calcutta THAT much better than the Cardiff? Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted January 11, 2015 Global Moderator Posted January 11, 2015 Matt Allen is using a Shimano Calcutta 400TE in that video. He's long bombing that bait, and I can't even cast half that distance... Is the Calcutta THAT much better than the Cardiff? Not at all. I have a 400B and it cast a long ways but I've owned a few Cardiffs too and they cast a long ways too. I always had my Cardiffs set with 2 pins out, 4 in and the tension set loose. The Savage gear catches a lot of wind but I can still cast it a long ways with a 300E Curado. Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted January 11, 2015 Super User Posted January 11, 2015 I have 1 brake set on my cardiff 301. You don't need 3 on. I can promise you that. Quote
Steven Rea Posted January 12, 2015 Author Posted January 12, 2015 Would a Boca Bearing upgrade do much of anything? Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted January 12, 2015 Super User Posted January 12, 2015 Not for baits that heavy. Turn some brakes off. Quote
Steven Rea Posted January 12, 2015 Author Posted January 12, 2015 I'm gonna try to throw a few different baits, and see how it goes. Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted January 12, 2015 Super User Posted January 12, 2015 Try throwing 5 oz ... See if your rod loads better, maybe try lead bank sinkers in the yard, saving wear & tear on your swimbaits.. Seems like your rod may not be loading properly... Quote
Steven Rea Posted January 12, 2015 Author Posted January 12, 2015 That's another aspect I was considering. The rod is only $134.99 on ***, so cheaper rod means cheaper quality, right? It's not a G. Loomis Big Bait/Bounce Back rod, Lamiglass X-11, or a Daiwa DX Swimbait casting rod, but an Okuma Guide Select Series Big Bait casting rod. Has anyone else used this rod? Have you had the same issue with it? Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted January 12, 2015 Super User Posted January 12, 2015 It's a few dollars more in price verse the Daiwa Dx so why would that rod be better quality than the Okuma? It sounds like you need more experience on your technique with throwing big swimbaits. Not that I'm seasoned in them,but I can assure you that there are plenty of people who use the Okuma/Cardiff combo and have absolutely no trouble at all. It's a very common setup since it can be put together for under $225. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted January 12, 2015 Super User Posted January 12, 2015 That's another aspect I was considering. The rod is only $134.99 on ***, so cheaper rod means cheaper quality, right? It's not a G. Loomis Big Bait/Bounce Back rod, Lamiglass X-11, or a Daiwa DX Swimbait casting rod, but an Okuma Guide Select Series Big Bait casting rod. Has anyone else used this rod? Have you had the same issue with it? I have & fish this rod with a 300D - it works, loads & casts any bait weight it's designed to quite nicely. Whatever "the Problem" is, I doubt the rod is the majority of it. A-Jay Quote
Steven Rea Posted January 13, 2015 Author Posted January 13, 2015 I went out and threw a couple 1/2oz bell sinkers with everything, and I was still getting the same distance out of my cast. The rod was loading perfectly and had a lot of power behind the cast. My reel, on the other hand, was screaming rather loudly when casting. It almost sounds like the bearings aren't moving freely, or moving at all. I'm gonna take the reel apart again tonight and see what the issue is. I bought it NIB on eBay, so could it just sitting in the box with no prior use be a factor in why I'm not getting any casting distance? Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted January 13, 2015 Super User Posted January 13, 2015 Well if it's screeching something is amiss, hmm, Quote
Steven Rea Posted January 13, 2015 Author Posted January 13, 2015 I have 5 brakes off and 1 on with the spool tension knob set rather loose. I was getting the same casting distance with 3 off/3 on, as well. Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted January 13, 2015 Super User Posted January 13, 2015 You are probably hearing the brakes. Oil the brake drum lightly. A 2.5oz bait has a lot more momentum verse a 3/4oz bait. Quote
Steven Rea Posted January 13, 2015 Author Posted January 13, 2015 Do you use any special lube/grease for your reels? Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted January 13, 2015 Super User Posted January 13, 2015 No sir. Everything but the drag grease can be bought at Walmart. Marine grease on gears 'what you'd pack a wheel bearing with' 140wt gear oil on sliding parts and worm gear 'What you'd put in a rear differential' Rem oil on spool bearings and brake drum 'Same stuff you use when cleaning a rifle' Cals drag grease on drag discs 'Only if the reel has a wet drag' Quote
Steven Rea Posted January 13, 2015 Author Posted January 13, 2015 My dad is an oil salesman, so we have a bunch of expensive, top quality oil, grease, and lubricants in our garage. He's also an avid shooter, so he has plenty of Rem Oil laying around. Quote
Steven Rea Posted January 13, 2015 Author Posted January 13, 2015 One thing I am considering, the rod might be too stiff for what I'm trying to throw. I'm throwing swimbaits within the 2-4 oz range, and the rod I have is rated for baits within the 2-10 oz range. It loaded just fine when I had a few bell sinkers tied on (10 to be exact so it'd weigh 5 oz[sinkers are 1/2 oz each]). Could that be another possibility? Quote
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