Daiwa MAGFORCE -Z Braking System : Spool Tension Knob Relationship ?

[ChrisD46]

*Coming from a centrifugal braking system (with 6 pins) - Still having a little trouble setting the ideal spool tension knob / MAGFORCE - Z braking system relationship for my new Daiwa  Fuego CT  : Some posters say to tighten the spool tension knob all the way - then slowly back it off while trying to wiggle the spool until you get just start to get some side to side play then the spool tension knob is set.  Others say the same except slightly loosening or tightening the spool tension knob as the final step once the spool back & forth play is detected . Lastly Brent Ehrier states to loosen spool tension knob until you get side to side play - along  with a clicking noise . For those with a Daiwa Fuego CT which method above provides you the best results ?

[MN Fisher]

I just picked up a Fuego CT myself and I was going to set it like I've always set my Ambassadeur 500R (early low-profile, 5.3:1, mag system)

 

Tie your lure on, press the release, hold the rod out, loosen the tension knob until the lure slowly drops on it's own, one click tighter on the tension. Set the Mag level to '3', cast. If there seems to be some backlash attempt, turn the mag level up (4-5-6) until that stops. If the lure seems to be held back during the cast, turn the mag level down (2-1-0).

[Junger]

I set the tension knob really loose, where there's clanking when you have side to side play, and if you drop a lure to the ground you'll get a ginormous birds nest. But I set the mag braking high, like 18, then keep backing it down until you're comfortable you won't get an overrun immediately after the cast. You have to thumb the spool at the end of the cast or you'll get a birds nest. This is the set up I found for most distance. 

[Hook2Jaw]

I've been rocking Brent's suggestion.  I can bomb a lure a good distance, and typically have minimal brakes set.  Overruns are few and far between.  So few and far between they're usually from hanging on something behind me during my backcast.  I'm talking click on the spool and the dial on 4 with a 1/2oz jerkbait and putting your body into the cast.

 

In the beginning, I set my spool tension to eliminate the side to side play.  I then found Brent's method and introduced a small amount of play.  Over time, more and more side to side motion has been allowed and I'm pretty happy with the capabilities of my reels at their current settings.

 

Love the braking system.

 

Like @Junger said, you're going to have to slow the spool before the lure slows as it touches the water.  If I stick my tongue out to the side and really let one rip, I'll often see the line fluffing in the reel as it begins to backlash.  The brakes tend to correct it.

[LionHeart]

I set the spool tension to where the spool has the tiniest bit of side-to-side, then set the brakes to 6-8.  I do this with all my reels.  I want the brakes and my thumb to slow the spool, not the spool tension.

 

If I did the whole 'let the lure drop to the ground' thing, I'd definitely get an overrun.  

[Russ E]

With my tatula magforce z brake, I set the tension loose enough so there is just a little side to side play on the spool. then leave it there.

the only adjustment I make is on the magnetic brake. According to the wind and lure weight.

Most of the time the brake is set at 10 or in the middle.

Once set I can cast with little to no thumb pressure.

 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, LionHeart said:

If I did the whole 'let the lure drop to the ground' thing, I'd definitely get an overrun.  

That's why I tighten the tension one click/number after the drop. Puts just enough tension on so I don't have a drop, but it's close.

 

I rarely thumb my spool, and I've been using this system of setup since I got the reel 20 years ago. Can't remember the last time I had a backlash.

 

Use whichever system works for you...mine works for me so I'm happy.

[Russ E]

13 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

That's why I tighten the tension one click/number after the drop. Puts just enough tension on so I don't have a drop, but it's close.

 

I rarely thumb my spool, and I've been using this system of setup since I got the reel 20 years ago. Can't remember the last time I had a backlash.

 

Use whichever system works for you...mine works for me so I'm happy.

the magforce z works different than normal centrifugal or magnetic brake.

the magforce z is centrifugal. the faster the spool spins the more magnetic brake there is.

while I do use the lure drop method for setting my garcias. It does not work well with the mag force z. 

the magforce z works best with a loose spool.

 

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Russ E said:

the magforce z works different than normal centrifugal or magnetic brake.

the magforce z is centrifugal. the faster the spool spins the more magnetic brake there is.

while I do use the lure drop method for setting my garcias. It does not work well with the mag force z. 

the magforce z works best with a loose spool.

 

You know - I wish the instructions would tell you that. I see 'magnetic braking system' and I automatically think 'it's like my 500R'. Now I'm going to have to totally relearn how to set my new reel. (grumbles)

 

Ignore my earlier post...

[Russ E]

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

You know - I wish the instructions would tell you that. I see 'magnetic braking system' and I automatically think 'it's like my 500R'. Now I'm going to have to totally relearn how to set my new reel. (grumbles)

 

Ignore my earlier post...

they are one of the easiest reels to set.

A little side to side play. put the magnetic brake in the middle and it should be real close.

I love my garcias, but the brakes on a diawa are much easier to set.

[Junger]

7 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

You know - I wish the instructions would tell you that. I see 'magnetic braking system' and I automatically think 'it's like my 500R'. Now I'm going to have to totally relearn how to set my new reel. (grumbles)

 

Ignore my earlier post...

I hear you. I was doing it all "wrong" too based on watching "how to set up a baitcaster" on youtube until I found several posts by @BaitFinesse and a few others that really know their Daiwas.

[Dangerfield]

For Fuego CT or Tatula CT (I have both), I minimize the side to side play, don't kill it and start at 15 on the brakes. I've prefer the Tatula around 6-7 and the Fuego about 2-4, as you get more experienced thumbing the spool I think you'll land around 5-7 and start dropping to gain distance.

 

Whippy-casts are guaranteed to birds nest. TBH, fluoro always seems to causes more bird's nests then braid and braid is way easier to get out.

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, Dangerfield said:

Whippy-casts are guaranteed to birds nest. TBH, fluoro always seems to causes more bird's nests then braid and braid is way easier to get out. 

I've never done 'whippy casts' with my 500R, and I've used nothing but braid on it...and the CT will have braid as well.

 

Have to spool the line on earlier than planned in the spring and practice with the CT in the backyard before going out.

[LionHeart]

37 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I've never done 'whippy casts' with my 500R, and I've used nothing but braid on it...and the CT will have braid as well.

 

Have to spool the line on earlier than planned in the spring and practice with the CT in the backyard before going out.

Nah man.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised by how well the mag force system works and how easy it is to get dialed.  Diawa has really won me over as a Lews fan.

 

All I'm saying is, don't clear a whole afternoon for practice, or you'll have a lot of spare time on yer' hands.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, LionHeart said:

Nah man.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised by how well the mag force system works and how easy it is to get dialed.  Diawa has really won me over as a Lews fan.

 

All I'm saying is, don't clear a whole afternoon for practice, or you'll have a lot of spare time on yer' hands. 

Since I'm retired - I got all the time in the world. I can always find something else to do with the 'spare time'.

[Junger]

One of the best posts I've read about Magforce braking, video included:

 

 

[Joshua van Wyk]

I set mine up with plenty of side to side play and brakes around 8.

[ChrisD46]

4 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

I just picked up a Fuego CT myself and I was going to set it like I've always set my Ambassadeur 500R (early low-profile, 5.3:1, mag system)

 

Tie your lure on, press the release, hold the rod out, loosen the tension knob until the lure slowly drops on it's own, one click tighter on the tension. Set the Mag level to '3', cast. If there seems to be some backlash attempt, turn the mag level up (4-5-6) until that stops. If the lure seems to be held back during the cast, turn the mag level down (2-1-0).

*Not the correct way to set up a Daiawa with MAGFORCE Z braking system ! ... Other brand reels - yes .

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

*Not the correct way to set up a Daiawa with MAGFORCE Z braking system ! ... Other brand reels - yes .

Read more - I've already been corrected on this.

[ike8120]

I have 2 Fuego CT's that I have not setup yet. This thread has been most helpful.

[Happybeerbuzz]

I use the Brent Ehrler method that the OP referenced. Different lures will cause me to adjust the magnetic breaks between 8-10.  The rest of the dial is pretty much there for looks.  Unless there is significant wind, the spool tension knob never gets used after setting it to barely having side to side play.  

 

 

[MassYak85]

Like others said, I set the spool tension so that there is just the slightest side to side play in the spool. Then start with the brakes at 10 and slowly work them down, usually to 5 or 6. Windier days maybe 8-10, 12 if it's extreme but I don't think I'eve ever set them higher than 12. 

[ike8120]

This maybe a stupid question should you have the line spooled on the reel before setting it up?

[Deleted account]

Daiwa's mag brakes are my favorite among magnetic brakes, but I still prefer centrifugal brakes over magnetics. I got a couple of Fuegos for Xmas, and I set it up with just the slightest amount of play and then used the mag brakes, and it works well. The spool bearings are a tad slow, but I'm sure I can get them faster if I really wanted to. I should mention that I set my tension spool almost completely loose on my centrifugal reels as well. The fuego works well while not being the smoothest or longest casting reel by far, and the braking is smooth with the exception that there is one click there in the middle (don't ask me what number) where it goes from considerable braking to very little, with a noticeably greater decrease than surrounding clicks. Nice reel, but I still prefer my dinosaurs, and if you aren't catching, it's not the fuego. 

24 minutes ago, ike8120 said:

This maybe a stupid question should you have the line spooled on the reel before setting it up?

FIFY

[ChrisD46]

Good replies to date - thank you !