Spool Weight?

[thediscochef]

So I just came home with my first DC reel, a shimano curado. I exchanged it for a tatula elite that had some crazy bearing noise. the elite was in exchange for a Tatula SV with messed up mag brakes. I pretty much chose to go with the curado DC to use as a long-bomber for lipless crankbaits, swimbaits, and 110-sized jerkbaits. 

Now the part relevant to the post title:
Some of these reels have insanely lightweight components, specifically the spool. For instance, the tatula SV doesn't like it when you overspool it, the weight of the excess line is noticeable and changes the casting dynamics. I was wondering if the Curado DC would be sensitive enough to be thrown off by using the traditional 'electric tape' mounting method for spooling braid. I'm not 100% sure that the SV spool (let alone the DC spool) would have a problem with it, but if a few dozen yards of line can be a problem, why not a heavy tape? By adding even a small amount of weight, it changes the way the spool spins. I know the chips probably adjust for that but I have to wonder if that's enough to throw the balance of the thing off or rob distance. Furthermore - whatever negative distance impact that may have with a braided line - will the braid still cast further than say a thicker fluorocarbon line? I'm looking at either 30# 832 or 15# P-Line Tactical Fluoro. I'd think the braid would still be the better choice for distance but I wanted to see what y'all had to say about that. I'm probably over-thinking it, but what is the other point of bass fishing? ? also any pointers for a DC noob would be appreciated. I don't expect it to cast itself but I am hoping for fewer backlashes in windy conditions.

[A-Jay]

I have exactly ONE DC Reel.

I run 10 lb FC and use it for jerkbaits.

I would not add tape to any spool.

Instead simply add a little mono that is just less than a third of the spools depth.

Then fill the rest of the reel with your braid. 

Could do the same with FC but I just spool it all with FC the spool is pretty shallow. 

Good Luck

A-Jay

[thediscochef]

7 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I have exactly ONE DC Reel.

I run 10 lb FC and use it for jerkbaits.

I would not add tape to any spool.

Instead simply add a little mono that is just less than a third of the spools depth.

Then fill the rest of the reel with your braid. 

Could do the same with FC but I just spool it all with FC the spool is pretty shallow. 

Good Luck

A-Jay

The shallower nature of the DC spool compared to my lews tournament pro/xp's and inshore customs are what make me not want to do monofilament backing. There's about a 10yd difference in 12lb capacity between what I normally use and the DC. I like the tape option for its small profile and there is a video where Glenn suggests doing this, but I do have to wonder if the combination of tape + leader knot hitting guides would effectively marginalize any distance gains with the braid. My gut tells me to use fluoro and not worry about it, but if there's an extra 3+ yards to be gained with braid on that reel...I'm listening lol

[Lead Head]

I often spool just enough mono to cover the spool under braid. Probably less than 10'. I just want to make sure the line in contact with the spool is mono and will bite. I also tie the smallest (and usually weakest) junction knot that will hold tension. I want it to have the smallest footprint possible on my spool and it will never be exposed or stressed in any way. I usually try to have it lay on the opposite side of the spool from my arbor knot, I doubt it matters much, but it pleases the gremlins in my head. 

 

[newapti5]

Spool weight matters, but so does how the weight is distributed on the spool. That would affect angular momentum, which in turn affects casting distance. The closer the mass is to the axle, the less effect that mass has on angular momentum.  This is why even though some MGL spools are not so light (~14 grams), they still cast very well with light lures. Thus, if you want to put a couple grams of tape on the bottom of the spool, which is close to the axle, I don't think it would affect the casting much. 

 

I use a line counter to make sure I only put 70~80 yards line on each spool, no matter the line type. The rest of the spool space will be filled with braid backing, to lower the spool weight. And I use a piece of tape to make sure the braid backing won't slip on the spool. 

 

Regarding the relation between spool weight and DC brake, I think although the spool weight won't affect the casting distance on DC reels as much as on regular reels, lighter spool does make casting light lures easier, and maybe a litter further. That's why I am interested to see how the new SLX DC XT performs. It combines DC brake with a MGL 3 spool.

 

As to how much effect the leader knot has on casting distance, I feel like it's a different topic, irrelevant to spool weights.

[dodgeguy]

If it has holes in the spool just tie to them. I do it on all my reels for years.

[thediscochef]

21 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

If it has holes in the spool just tie to them. I do it on all my reels for years.

My Lew's reels all have that option but this curado DC doesn't. had the same issue trying to put braid on the tatula SV

[Deleted account]

11 hours ago, newapti5 said:

Thus, if you want to put a couple grams of tape on the bottom of the spool, which is close to the axle, I don't think it would affect the casting much.

You have to back out the weight of the line (or anything else) the tape is displacing, (carry the one...)...

[dodgeguy]

3 hours ago, thediscochef said:

My Lew's reels all have that option but this curado DC doesn't. had the same issue trying to put braid on the tatula SV

Brush on crazy glue it

[thediscochef]

2 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

Brush on crazy glue it

messy when changing line?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Neither tape or backing will have any negative effect on your reels performance. There’s more than one way to skin a cat (sorry PETA)

[PhishLI]

On 10/20/2022 at 5:53 PM, thediscochef said:

I was wondering if the Curado DC would be sensitive enough to be thrown off by using the traditional 'electric tape' mounting method for spooling braid.

Not even a little bit.

 

Center the line guide and tie your braid directly to the spool using an arbor knot. Cut the tag off.

 

Make/Cut two squares of electrical tape with each measuring about 3/8"x 3/8". Even at 1/2"x1/2", together they weigh virtually nothing.

 

Place one piece centered over the line either in front of or behind the knot. Press it down nicely. Rotate the spool 180 degrees and eyeball place the second piece over the line and do the same. The "nothing" weight of the tape placed this way keeps the spool balanced.

 

Spool it up and don't worry about it even a little bit. I've been doing this for years. It never, ever slips.

 

If one day you decide to remove the line and wish to caress the spool or some such reel nerd goofiness, the residue from the tape can be completely removed with a little bit of alcohol on a Q-tip or terlit paper. Use whichever you have on hand. Not a trace will remain, so your OCD won't be triggered for more than 30 seconds.

 

You're welcome?

[dodgeguy]

5 hours ago, thediscochef said:

messy when changing line?

No just splice together.