Service life of a baitcaster?

[Sea NaCl]

I have a pflueger baitcaster that was my first (non-fly) reel that I got when I was 9. It lives on my mom's farm, and has been fine for the past 14 or so years. Recently, it has started backlashing one cast and over-braking the next without any sort of adjustments. Any way to resolve this? I rebuilt and lubed it to no avail. I would prefer to not buy a new reel but if need be, I will.

 

Thank you!

[new2BC4bass]

Text, email, call, or send it to DVT.

[Sea NaCl]

1 minute ago, new2BC4bass said:

Text, email, call, or send it to DVT.

Is DVT your shop? I don't use the reel much. It's really only used to cull the 7-9+ pound fish out of my pond to keep them from becoming dominant and hurting the population. I have plenty of saltwater medium lights to handle to job, I was just more curious about how long these cheapo casting reels last I guess.

[MN Fisher]

DVT is Delaware Valley Tackle - see the link in the right-hand column. Mike does excellent work, well recommended by anyone here who's used his service.

 

11 minutes ago, Sea Salt said:

I was just more curious about how long these cheapo casting reels last I guess.

Know what model it is? I've got Pflueger casting reels that are about that old that still work perfectly...and some models aren't 'cheap' by any stretch of the imagination - right up there with current reels.

[Sea NaCl]

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

DVT is Delaware Valley Tackle - see the link in the right-hand column. Mike does excellent work, well recommended by anyone here who's used his service.

 

Know what model it is? I've got Pflueger casting reels that are about that old that still work perfectly...and some models aren't 'cheap' by any stretch of the imagination - right up there with current reels.

Reel model is a Trion Baitcaster. Model TRI62LP. Definitely inexpensive.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Sea Salt said:

Reel model is a Trion Baitcaster. Model TRI62LP. Definitely inexpensive.

Ya - Trion was their entry-level reel...unfortunately, the only baitcasters they make anymore are the President XT - which is a good reel, and the Monarch...which I consider below the Trion.

 

It'd probably cost more to get that old Trion fixed than it'd cost to get a new reel.

[Sea NaCl]

4 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Ya - Trion was their entry-level reel...unfortunately, the only baitcasters they make anymore are the President XT - which is a good reel, and the Monarch...which I consider below the Trion.

 

It'd probably cost more to get that old Trion fixed than it'd cost to get a new reel.

Got it. Impressive it lasted so long! Only things outlasting it now are my Shimano Sedonas and my Orvis & Sage fly rods + Reels.

[new2BC4bass]

14 minutes ago, Sea NaCl said:

Reel model is a Trion Baitcaster. Model TRI62LP. Definitely inexpensive.

Believe the 2 Trions I bought used were $100 new.  Sent both to DVT for cleaning.  Believe one got Carbontex drag washers.  They are the older models with aluminum frame.  Not sure about the side plates, but they may be aluminum also.  Newer ones are all graphite.  Gave one to a deserving young man.

 

The reel works best with (relativity) heavier lures with my casting skills.  Reel originally came with lighter braid so I put it on a MF rod with appropriate weight for the rod.  Backlash city for me.  Mike suggested heavier line and lures.  I spooled 17# mono and mounted reel on a 6'10" HF rod.  A 1/2 oz. jig plus trailer cast like a dream.  Haven't used it much, but it hasn't backlashed once since.

[GReb]

Trion was their flagship back in the 2000ish era. They made a good product back then. I still have a supreme laying around somewhere. 
 

Honestly speaking. For a professional to look over and fix the reel plus shipping you’d be better off going to Walmart and buying a cheap Abu or Lews for $40-50. 

[softwateronly]

On a side note, I'm certainly available to take care of your 7-9+lb lmb problem.  My company, softwateronly, exists solely for this purpose and our rates are reasonable, and down right free if you have flexible timing.

 

scott

[Junger]

[gim]

11 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

It'd probably cost more to get that old Trion fixed than it'd cost to get a new reel.

 

I agree.  Not worth it.

 

Preventative maintenance is a good thing though.  I have all mine torn apart, cleaned, lubed, and assembled by someone who knows what they're doing every few years.  Beats buying new reels.

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, gimruis said:

I have all mine torn apart, cleaned, lubed, and assembled by someone who knows what they're doing every few years.

I do the same - difference being is the knowledgeable person is me.

 

One of my Tatula 100s undergoing maintenance this past winter...

 

And my Supreme-30 spinning reel.

[gim]

I still use the guy from Wayzata Bait & Tackle.  Even though the shop is done, he is still servicing reels out of his house.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

It sounds like a light cleaning would keep you trion going. If you’re up to tackle it I’ll offer whatever help I can. Don’t throw the reel away. Worst case I’ll give you a little something as a parts reel. 

[Sea NaCl]

7 hours ago, softwateronly said:

On a side note, I'm certainly available to take care of your 7-9+lb lmb problem.  My company, softwateronly, exists solely for this purpose and our rates are reasonable, and down right free if you have flexible timing.

 

scott

Haha they're definitely fun.

 

It's a perfect bass fishing scenario- my farm has a 1.5 acre pond that we stocked with 4 1lb lmb about 10 years ago and it has a ton of native bluegill, craws and crappie as it sits alongside the Cape Fear River and is fed by it when it floods. I try to not fish in it, but sometimes I throw around a popper on the aforementioned pflueger and its usually a fish every cast. At one point we had at least 3 lmb over 10 and now I'd say the average size is about 2-4lb since we relocated the big ones.

 

A few weeks ago I invited a fishing buddy out and between the two of us got roughly 35 fish in a little under 2 hours just throwing poppers. I attached 2 pics of the bigger ones. Not sure on weight but they had some heft.

31 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

It sounds like a light cleaning would keep you trion going. If you’re up to tackle it I’ll offer whatever help I can. Don’t throw the reel away. Worst case I’ll give you a little something as a parts reel. 

What's the best way to contact you? I have a few reels that definitely need servicing and we don't have anyone local.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

3 hours ago, Sea NaCl said:

Haha they're definitely fun.

 

It's a perfect bass fishing scenario- my farm has a 1.5 acre pond that we stocked with 4 1lb lmb about 10 years ago and it has a ton of native bluegill, craws and crappie as it sits alongside the Cape Fear River and is fed by it when it floods. I try to not fish in it, but sometimes I throw around a popper on the aforementioned pflueger and its usually a fish every cast. At one point we had at least 3 lmb over 10 and now I'd say the average size is about 2-4lb since we relocated the big ones.

 

A few weeks ago I invited a fishing buddy out and between the two of us got roughly 35 fish in a little under 2 hours just throwing poppers. I attached 2 pics of the bigger ones. Not sure on weight but they had some heft.

What's the best way to contact you? I have a few reels that definitely need servicing and we don't have anyone local.

Click one of my logos on the forum they are links to my site where there is an email form or email directly at mlawson@delawarevalleytackle.com or call 973-459-2835. 

[softwateronly]

@Sea NaCl Sounds and certainly looks like the perfect scenario, Nice fish!!

 

scott

[king fisher]

On 7/24/2024 at 2:01 AM, Sea NaCl said:

Is DVT your shop? I don't use the reel much. It's really only used to cull the 7-9+ pound fish out of my pond to keep them from becoming dominant and hurting the population. I have plenty of saltwater medium lights to handle to job, I was just more curious about how long these cheapo casting reels last I guess.

The reel is junk, it wont work any more.  Don't buy a new reel.  I will come with my own equipment and cull those pesky 7-9 pound bass for you.  

[Bankc]

They've made a lot of improvements in reels in the past 10ish years, so I'd be tempted to just buy a new one. 

 

But, I'm still using some reels that are over 50 years old.  And they still work.  They've needed a lot of care and a few parts.  And they don't work as well as my new ones, by any stretch of the imagination.  But they have sentimental value that my newer reels don't have. 

 

My point is, it kind of depends on what's most important to you.  The service life of a good reel is as long as you want it to be. 

[bulldog1935]

I retired my last Lew's BB-25 at the end of 2018 - it served me well 18 years.  This is actually the last fish it caught, a 24" redfish.  My BB-1NG from 1984 also coincidentally fished 18 years. 

   

I was happy enough with the Super Duty G bought the year before, I bought a second when they were closing out.  Two higher-grade Lew's bought in the next 2 years, I sold them both in excellent condition (good seller's market then), because the SD's out-performed them in my niche.  After researching, it was tough for me to bite the Daiwa bullet (we had a falling out over non-support of parts that first sent me to Lew's).  I'm not the fan boy type, but if you want to ruin yourself, buy a new Daiwa.  

[Sea NaCl]

On 7/25/2024 at 4:14 PM, Bankc said:

They've made a lot of improvements in reels in the past 10ish years, so I'd be tempted to just buy a new one. 

 

But, I'm still using some reels that are over 50 years old.  And they still work.  They've needed a lot of care and a few parts.  And they don't work as well as my new ones, by any stretch of the imagination.  But they have sentimental value that my newer reels don't have. 

 

My point is, it kind of depends on what's most important to you.  The service life of a good reel is as long as you want it to be. 

I haven't purchased a casting reel since about 2014 and just purchased a Curado DC to replace my pflueger (which I still intend to have fixed). I love it. Can't stop using it. Might turn me into a full blown fisherman again. Popped it on a TFO rod my local shop had on clearance and can't put it down.