Spool Tension Knob

[Penguino]

So for my reel, I have found that I have to set the spool tension on near maximum in order for the line to slowly drop. My friend told me that setting the spool tension high actually slowly weakens the gears. Is there any truth to the fact that setting spool tension high is a negative for a baitcasting reel? 

[Kevin22]

Spool tension has nothing to do with gears.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

In a round about sort of way it does. The extra constant drag of overly tight tension can put added pressure on the gears. The gear mesh will be tighter all the time leading to wear on the teeth. Now how much this takes away from the life of the gears,maybe not much. But just the increased effort to  turn the handle is reason enough to keep it loose.

[Kevin22]

There will be more resistance from a crankbait being retrieved than a spool tension knob set at a normal setting would apply. Unless of course you are throwing 8oz baits.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

There will be more resistance from a crankbait being retrieved than a spool tension knob set at a normal setting would apply. Unless of course you are throwing 8oz baits.

I agree, but the discussion is about maximum and high amounts of tension not "normal".

[desmobob]

So for my reel, I have found that I have to set the spool tension on near maximum in order for the line to slowly drop. 

 

I wouldn't worry about the gearing.

 

If I had to set the tension to "near maximum" I'd be wondering if I was missing a small part inside the tension knob.  I'd look at a parts diagram for my reel and check to see if everything was in place and in the proper order.  Doesn't sound quite right to me....

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[K_Mac]

I have always fished inexpensive baitcasers. I have never had to crank down hard on a spool tension knob to set a reel properly. The reel may need serviced. If the tension applied to the spool is set correctly based on controlled fall of the bait, the tension is not excessive regardless of the torque required to turn the knob.

[CRANKENSTIEN]

Last summer I purchased a $60 pinnacle special addition combo from Wal Mart and put 12 lb grand slam mono on it.  It took several cast before I could cast it without backlashes and by then the tension was tight as it would go and my magnetic breaks were on full.  I put a drop of oil inside the knob and around the threads, which helped some.  It spins like the others on the shelf, it just must be the way it is.  This spring I put that line on my pflueger president which always cast well and I had to turn the tension and breaks tighter.  I haven't changed the line on the pinnacle yet, but I am confident it will cast better when I do.  Give a different line a shot, I am guessing you will still have to turn the tension down, but you may cast farther and with less backlashes.  Try trilene XL it cast great if you can stand the stretch.  

[Penguino]

Well after testing my reel extensively, I think I have found the answer to my questions. When turning on the Centrifugual braking to 4, and throwing a 3/8 ounce jig, the spool tension really doesn't matter. I get no backlash even if I turn the spool tension all the way down. I will continue experimenting with the baitcaster and see how other brake settings affect the backlashes and casting distance.

[Krappiehog]

What you are asking is nothing to worry about... Time will pass, you will loosen it and even if you kept it cranked down, the wear your talking about will be minimal to the gearing... Now the wear to the break is a whole different story. You find over a year or two of fishing you replace the disk as you have worn through it. Like said above the wear from baits like 10xd's, a-rigs, mine wieght 3.5-4.5 oz sometimes will do more harm then spool knob tension.

[kikstand454]

If you have to crank your spool tension knob down tight to cast. .... something is wrong. Something its physically wrong with the reel. If I were to tighten the spool tension all the way down on any of my reels. ... I wouldn't be able to cast but a foot or two. ..if at all.

Your spoil tension knob has either a worn or missing piece. Have it looked at.

In your last post OP it seems you have found a solution to your problem- but you haven't really. Because your magnetic brake has nothing to do with your spool tension.

Try this. Tie on your 3/8oz jig.

Set your mag brake on "0".

Tighten your spool tension down all the way.

Now. ..push your button. If your 3/8oz jig falls at all. ...you have something wrong. A tightened spool shouldn't be able to cast a 3/8oz jig. Period.

If it doesn't, then loosen the knob gently until the jig falls in a controlled manner, with minimum backlash when it hits the floor . This is the proper setting of the spool for that weight. This controls your casting speed.

Your brake controls your backlashing when your lure is slowing down in the air. That's why its called a brake. Set it at "5" and adjust less and less as needed. Your brake is there to assist your thumb. The more you practice the less you need.

Good luck.

[EmersonFish]

I'd start by looking at a parts diagram and seeing if everything that is meant to by under the spool tension knob is in place. Every little ring/spacer/washer or whatever your reel is supposed to have under there is there for a reason. If it's missing one of those parts, you can probably get it for cheap, assuming the reel is a reasonably late model; and it's probably a part that you can replace yourself. If you don't feel comfortable doing that, it's probably not an expensive reel repair if the reel is worth it.