calcutta TE-200GT adjustment question

[Theresamarie1]

I've read all the entries I could find on the subject, including the little tutorial in the sticky area above. I just purchased the subject reel on sale in a year end clearance, and got a great deal. I have to say that it reels like there's no mechanical resistance at all. The thing that I'm having trouble with, is the braking system. I have numerous baitcasters including a Currado, Citica, President, Revo SX, Corvalus, Browning and have had pretty good luck setting them up so they don't backlash. But today, in using the Calcutta, even with the brakes (green heavy ones) all set out, I could not get this thing to stop backlashing. I had the friction brake set pretty hard so the spool would not move at all once it hit the water. It seemed to start backlashing as soon as I threw the lure (a 1/2 oz jig), which I think means it's the centrifical brake rather than friction setting. This was with the wind or against the wind which didn't make much difference, I think because of the heavy jig.   Suggestions?

As a sideline, we pulled in around 15 pounds of smallmouths today and our biggest was 3lb 11oz which is pretty good for Lake Champlain. We were watching lots of pro bass boats around us and don't think anyone was doing better (we weren't competiting though), but it's a huge lake, so I'm sure someone found a honey hole.

[Bassn Blvd]

That calcuta you bought will out caast any of the reels you mentioned.  It sounds like you set it pretty good though.  I set every other brake. (one in, one out and so on.)  I use the friction brake mostly.  Try setting it so your lure barely free falls.   Let the lure dangle from the rod tip and then put it in free spool.  Adjust the spool knob until the lure slowly drops to the ground,  reel the lure back up and lat it slide down again but this time turn the knob just enough till the lure stops. Now try casting and see if it is any better.  I know this sounds basic and I'm sure you already tried this but I can't think of anything else.  Calcutas are sweet reals. I have 4 of them but at first, they took getting used to compared to other baitcasters.

[Theresamarie1]

That calcuta you bought will out caast any of the reels you mentioned. It sounds like you set it pretty good though. I set every other brake. (one in, one out and so on.) I use the friction brake mostly. Try setting it so your lure barely free falls. Let the lure dangle from the rod tip and then put it in free spool. Adjust the spool knob until the lure slowly drops to the ground, reel the lure back up and lat it slide down again but this time turn the knob just enough till the lure stops. Now try casting and see if it is any better. I know this sounds basic and I'm sure you already tried this but I can't think of anything else. Calcutas are sweet reals. I have 4 of them but at first, they took getting used to compared to other baitcasters.

Thank you for the reply.   I did try that, tighening the friction know as you guessed, as one of the first things.   I'll try fiddling some more tomorrow.  

[twors]

It does sound as though your centrifical brake isn't working correctly. Just a thought, perhaps some oil got onto the brake case....the drum that the brake pegs drag against.

[Raul]

Got you good didn 't he ?

From a Mazda Miata you stepped into a Formula 1 racing car, without the proper training it was obvious it was going to chew you up somehere, the little beast needs to be muzzled while you re-learn how to control it, tighten everything and practice then give it a little more rope, practice again and so on. Within a few days you will regain control on it.

[roadwarrior]

Well, I may be retarded...

I have two of them which I have been fishing for a few years. I am not aware of an internal adjustment.

Please clue me in, seriously.

[Theresamarie1]

It does sound as though your centrifical brake isn't working correctly. Just a thought, perhaps some oil got onto the brake case....the drum that the brake pegs drag against.

Thanks Twors, I did have some residue that looked like oil on the 'brake drum'.   I'm a bit surprised at the design, as it seems very easy to get oil in that area after oiling the bearings.     In any case, I cleaned it off.  

I still had some trouble today, but it was a bit better than yesterday.  

[Theresamarie1]

Got you good didn 't he ?

From a Mazda Miata you stepped into a Formula 1 racing car, without the proper training it was obvious it was going to chew you up somehere, the little beast needs to be muzzled while you re-learn how to control it, tighten everything and practice then give it a little more rope, practice again and so on. Within a few days you will regain control on it.

Raul, of course you're right.    I have 5 other baitcasters I do quite well with, but I don't think they have  a spool quite as 'free' as this one.   This one just wants to really spin upon a throw of a light lure.   I was throwing a 5/16 jig from a med-heavy avid casting rod (pretty light for the rod, which is in fact 1/16 oz. less than it's rated.    The line I have on the rod seems really stiff, it's yo-zuri hybrid 12 lb.    Most of my other baitcasters have power-pro which is really good for not over running.     If this keeps up, I may have to change line to see if that helps or  just use it with heavier lures.   The reel feels so fine in the hand and it's machined very nicely.

[Theresamarie1]

Well, I may be retarded...

I have two of them which I have been fishing for a few years. I am not aware of an internal adjustment.

Please clue me in, seriously.

Roadwarrior, when I refer to internal adjustment I am referring to the 6 internal brakes on the non-drive side.

Can you comment on the line you use?  I Know it must be yo-zuri, but what weight, and which yo-zuri.   I'm using yo-zuri, which I like for strength, but this line seems really stiff and seems to be contributing to the overruns.

I had to tighten the friction so much, with all of the brakes out, I just couldn't seem to find a place I could cast well consistently.

I've really been using baitcasters for years, and while I would not say I'm an expert, I'm surprised to find this very fine reel so difficult to master.    

Any other thoughts?

[roadwarrior]

You might find Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #12 to be just what you're looking for, although I am currently using both original formula and Ultra Soft and like both on baitcasting gear. (I bought some original when BPS had 1000 yard spools on sale for $6.88). Once my orginal formula is gone, I'll be back to Ultra Soft only.

Back to the CTE200GT: I am not familiar with any internal brake adjustments.

Is ReelMech in the house?

[Raul]

Back to the CTE200GT: I am not familiar with any internal brake adjustments.

Is ReelMech in the house?

He means the centrifugal brake system RW.

[.RM.]

Sorry I have been busy building rods...

 I just purchased the subject reel on sale in a year end clearance, and got a great deal. I have to say that it reels like there's no mechanical resistance at all.    The thing that I'm having trouble with, is the braking system....even with the brakes (green heavy ones) all set out, I could not get this thing to stop backlashing.  I had the friction brake set pretty hard so the spool would not move at all once it hit the water.  It seemed to start backlashing  as soon as I threw the lure (a 1/2 oz jig), which I think means it's the centrifical brake rather than friction setting.  This was with the wind or against the wind which didn't make much difference, I think because of the heavy jig.   Suggestions?

Yeah..  The reel could have been a return that was put back on the table for the clearance sale.

I am betting the shims on both ends of that reel are old ones and with all the heavy adjusting you keep doing to try and stop the over runs. They have dented (dimpled) to a point were you really don't have any Cast Control Adjustments.

Once you get the cast control out of alignment, via dimpled shims then the spool doesn't adjust and rotate in the brake case's brass race properly, causing the brakes to not be engaged with the race, and fail to slow the rotation of the spool.

Variable Brake System (VBS) is what the poster is talking about.

The individual brake weights, when turned on, are forced outward at the beginning of the cast when backlashes most often occur, causing friction that reduces the speed of the spool. Once the spool speed begins to slow, the pressure lessens, allowing the spool to continue spinning.

Settings range from zero weights turned on for true free-spool and up to 6 weights turned on for extremely windy conditions and maximum cast control.

[Theresamarie1]

Sorry I have been busy building rods...

[Yeah.. The reel could have been a return that was put back on the table for the clearance sale.

I am betting the shims on both ends of that reel are old ones and with all the heavy adjusting you keep doing to try and stop the over runs. They have dented (dimpled) to a point were you really don't have any Cast Control Adjustments.

Once you get the cast control out of alignment, via dimpled shims then the spool doesn't adjust and rotate in the brake case's brass race properly, causing the brakes to not be engaged with the race, and fail to slow the rotation of the spool.

Thanks David,

I will look at the alignment of the brake drum.   If I can't see the alignment issue, would you suggest I return for an exchange (they had 3)?   I have to trudge back over to plattsburgh anyways to try and return a st. croix crankbait rod that's just terrible.  

Terri