Adjusting SLP-10

[Bassin08]

I recently bought an SLP-10 and i love it so far i caught my first largemouth (about 14 inches and probably 4lbs at least)  with it today in water that was orange as a pumpkin on a $1 spinnerbait i bought at walmart.   i have my spool tension knob of the right side set just so that the when the button is pressed to lure will slowly drop. but the problem i'm gettin is when i make a good hard cast i'm getting backlash before the lure ever hits the water. i'm wondering if adjusting the magnets via the silver knob on the left side with the numbers.  it cam preset on 6.  if this would help someone please school me on how to adjust it.  some tips on adjusting the whole reel in general would be greatly appreciated.

[247bassin]

If this is your first baitcaster, then start out on 10, then adjust it accordingly.  I usually keep mine on ten unless I am fishing really light lures.  Start on 10 and go down from there untill you have problems controlling the backlashes.

Hope that helps....

[Bassin08]

with it on ten does that mean it's on it's lightest setting, what should i expect from it at that setting

[247bassin]

If it is on 0, it is on free spool, easiest way for it to backlash, with it on 10, it own't backlash as easy. 

[Bassin08]

i gotcha thanks a lot  should i keep the small knob on the right like it is  so that the lure slowly falls to the ground rather than sudden drop ?

[wickyman]

I wouldn't set it to 10.  Personally, I think it is better to make your thumb, "smarter".  By this, I mean to make it so that your thumb will slowly apply pressure to the spool, requiring less tension with the magnets.  Basically, what is happening, is that your magnets are slowing down the spool, which causes it to catch slightly, and slow it down.

I am on setting 4, mostly because it's the only setting I can properly cast on.  I find that anymore than that, and the spool wants to drag more than usual, and this is on any reel, and it causes me to gain more backlash.  If you want to learn it, try putting a 1/4 oz weight onto the line, and cast it in your yard, until you make that thumb smarter, and you can handle the reel. 

[247bassin]

That is true about the "thumb smarter" deal.  The only problem is that to do that it does take time.  Learning to do that is not the easiest thing.  That is why I suggested using the setting on ten.  It is easier to set it on ten and then make a few cast and adjust it until you can cast without backlashing.  Then, you can train your thumb in the backyard, and know how to do it when you are fishing. 

And yes, leave the knob on the right to where the lure falls slowly...Good luck...

[Pinnacle1]

Excellent advice all-around.  It definitely takes a little time and practice to find the best mag control adjustment.  This varies according to the individual angler, skill level, casting style, etc.  You are correct in paying attention to the spool tension control as well as the mag setting...many anglers neglect to do so, and it does matter. Of course, an "educated thumb" is even more important.  Most of all, don't get frustrated if you experience a little backlash in the early going.  No reel, despite some manufacturer's claims, is 100 percent backlash-proof.  And keep in mind that even the world's best bass fishermen (I just fished with some B.A.S.S. Elite Series anglers at the California Delta) experience a "professional over-run" every now and then.

Good Fishing!

Pinnacle1

[247bassin]

I agree about no reel is 100% backlash proof, but I have noticed that I get fewer backlashes with my Platinum Plus than any of my other reels, no matter what setting it is on.  I think that it is because it was my first baitcaster.  Just practice, you will get the hang of what you need to do to hinder backlashes.

[wickyman]

I haven't had a reel that didn't give me a bit of grief, and I have quite a few bait casters.  My Shimano Calais is the least problematic, but I too, have had it over run a couple times.  That includes today.  All my reels had a couple backlashes, and my pinnacle did the best one, it was so bad, that I just put the cover back on it, and set it to the side, and continued fishing!  lol  Love the reel, but the wind did a number on me, today!

If you ask me, no reel is any better at reducing the backlash, than the other.  It's just a trained thumb, and a lot of practice at doing it.  You will get to the point that you can cast, and not think about it anymore. 

[fishfordollars]

I'd like to see a pic of that 14" bass that weighed about 4 lbs.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

All good advice. The only thing I'd add is to keep in mind that a magnetic braking system comes into play at the end of the cast slowing the spool to minimize over-run. A centrifugal brake is just the opposite, controlling the start up. You'll have much better results making nice smooth casts, loading the rod and letting it do the work. Being too aggressive with your cast gets the spool spinning faster than the lure can pull out the line.

[ClarkGriswald]

i gotcha thanks a lot should i keep the small knob on the right like it is so that the lure slowly falls to the ground rather than sudden drop ?

Yes leave the spool tension about the same.  And start with the brake dial as low as you can without a mess and train your thumb.

[Big Bait Fishing]

I'd like to see a pic of that 14" bass that weighed about 4 lbs.

X2 !!! , a 14" bass will weigh a pound and a half at most , good try though  :

[Stasher1]

All good advice. The only thing I'd add is to keep in mind that a magnetic braking system comes into play at the end of the cast slowing the spool to minimize over-run. A centrifugal brake is just the opposite, controlling the start up. You'll have much better results making nice smooth casts, loading the rod and letting it do the work. Being too aggressive with your cast gets the spool spinning faster than the lure can pull out the line.

This right here is all the advice you need. If you want to do bullwhip-style casts, you need a reel with centrifugal braking. Otherwise, you'll need to learn how to let the rod load up and make a smooth sweeping cast.

I'm a bullwhip caster, so I stick with reels with centrifugal or dual braking.