Baitcasting Spool Slowing Down

[RMax]

Hey all! At the start of 2017, I purchased a Daiwa Tatula SV TWS 6:3:1.  Initially, I was able to bomb even the smallest lures out to the center of the ponds I fished.  This was equivalent to about 40 yards from my perception.  However, near the end of the fall I noticed that my casts were no longer as smooth.  Instead of the spool spinning for almost the entire cast, it spins only for a short period of time.  It'll slow down early and then my lure will just fall down, only like 15-20 yards out.  Solutions? 

[WRB]

Clean the reel. Colder weather will increase the viscosity of the oil used to lubricate your reels spool shaft and bearing, any contaminates will also create friction.

Tom

[Yumeya]

Remove the spool bearings and clean them.

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

@RMax Just wonder if you regularly oil your reel.  I’ve found it a good practice to put a drop of oil on each bearing of the spool before each trip. Probably not necessary every trip, but you shouldn’t let it go too long. 

 

The second thing i check is the worm shaft which guides the level wind assembly.  Crud slowly builds up as you fish and can slow down the action. Sometimes I need a Q-tip to wipe the gunk out of the grooves of the pawl. After cleaning, I put a drop of oil on the pawl and any shaft across which the level wind might travel.

 

Might be something to check.  Good luck!

[Angry John]

This is the time for a tear down and clean and lube.  things to have on hand is some simple green, some blue shop towels, some ether to spray stuff clean but leave no residue, q-tips and some good hollow ground screw drivers.  Reels are easy to clean and take about an hour total.

For grease this is what you want http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_Space_Age_Reel_Greaser/descpage-SRG.html

You dont need a lot its good stuff and the applicator is very small and will help you get it where you want.

Tons of oil choices but in your case i would not go super thin as regular application is needed if you do.  Your reel most likely came with a small bottle.  If you do a good job your reel may cast further than new.

[jbrew73]

Pull the side plate and make sure the brake inductor isn't stuck in the outward position.

[Yumeya]

On 1/11/2018 at 7:34 PM, Angry John said:

 

For grease this is what you want http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_Space_Age_Reel_Greaser/descpage-SRG.html

 

Is it really space age?

 

No but for real, I do want to try some.

[Angry John]

7 minutes ago, Yumeya said:

Is it really space age?

 

No but for real, I do want to try some.

So anything that happened after the mercury program is technically space age, thanks john glenn

[rippin-lips]

Please do not listen to the “add a drop of oil to the bearings before each trip” suggestion. That is extremely overkill. Bearings do need cleaned/flushed and re oiled (1 drop) but only a couple times a year. That will vary based on how often you fish but if you only fish a few days a week it’s plenty. 

[WRB]

I take my reels into a local reel tech to professionally clean when using them a lot and I know how to clean and lubricate them.

Contact DVL this a good time to have your reel professionally cleaned and tuned.

Tom

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

@rippin-lips is correct. I do go overboard. Don’t know how I got into the habit ... love to tinker and tweak. I only fish once or twice a week so the night before I clean and relube. Oh, yeah, and we’re only talking three reels here. These guys with fifteen or twenty reels would be up all night. Takes me 10 minutes with a Q-tip, paper towel, and reel oil.

[RMax]

I noticed that the Daiwa reel oil won't be in stock for quite some time.  Is there another oil I could use? I would prefer it be something I could find at cabelas or bps, due to them both being within 20 minutes of my location.

[Angry John]

You can use basic lite machine oil.  You should clean the bearings before switching as there may be a compatibility issue.  Synthetic oil being better than not.  If you can find sewing machine oil it will work just fine.  If your into shooting the thin gun oil works also.