Magnetick brake question

[Mike-in-WV]

Do we need the magnetic brake? Do you use it? I was doing some casting in the snow today using a 1/2 oz. casting plug with the magnetic brake set at the off position with no problems at all. The spool brake was set so that when the plug hit the floor the spool would stop dead . No problems casting at all. Most of the time I would have the magnetic brake set on about 5 with 10 being the highest for this setup. Now I'm not sure that I need it at all. Mike

[Bassn Blvd]

I don't use the magnetic brake that often.  But, IMO, your spool is set to tight if you were casting a 1/2 lure and the spool stopped dead when the lure hit.  You will get much longer casts if you loosen the spool a bit and learn to use your thumb to stop the spool.  

[Marty]

Do we need the magnetic brake? Do you use it? I was doing some casting in the snow today using a 1/2 oz. casting plug with the magnetic brake set at the off position with no problems at all. The spool brake was set so that when the plug hit the floor the spool would stop dead . No problems casting at all. Most of the time I would have the magnetic brake set on about 5 with 10 being the highest for this setup. Now I'm not sure that I need it at all. Mike

A casting plug (I assume you mean practice plug) is extremely aerodynamically efficient and heavy for its size. Could you cast into the wind with a lure that offers some resistance and still have no problems? If the answer is yes, then you probably don't need the magnetic brake.

[Saladmander]

Unless I'm reading you wrong, you're adjusting the cast control so that the spool stops turning when the lure hits the ground dropping it from the tip, not actually casting it, right?  

Sounds like you have good thumb control towards the end of your cast.  In that case, you can definitely leave it off.  I may turn the magnetic brake on a couple clicks if I'm making long casts into the wind and backlash more than a couple times.  Sometimes those sudden gusts can slow your lure down enough to give you some overrun.  But, most times it's off.

[Mike-in-WV]

Unless I'm reading you wrong, you're adjusting the cast control so that the spool stops turning when the lure hits the ground dropping it from the tip, not actually casting it, right?

Sounds like you have good thumb control towards the end of your cast. In that case, you can definitely leave it off. I may turn the magnetic brake on a couple clicks if I'm making long casts into the wind and backlash more than a couple times. Sometimes those sudden gusts can slow your lure down enough to give you some overrun. But, most times it's off.

Yes, thats the way I adjust all my casting reels. Just a slight move of the tip sends it to the floor and it makes about a half turn when it hits but not enough to cause any back lash.

I agree that casting in the wind can be a problem and it don't take much but if you watch your thumb control you can do it.

Marty, Yes I'm using a practice plug and if the wind is bad enough I'm sure I will go back to using the brake or whenever it seems needed. Just wanted to see what some of you guys suggest and wanted to share the results of what I found out today. Now I will probably go back out tomorrow and get a big birds nest, ;D

[Quinn]

I need it because I am still learning how to use a baitcast reel.  I set mine on 10 when I am learning to use different line etc. When it is cold, I turn it down as the lube in the reel gets cold.

Thumbs the rule  ;D ;D

[Pencil Pusher]

With Magnetic braking, even set at zero, you still have SOME braking force. Its just the nature of the beast, the magnetic field is still there, its just at a minimum setting. With centrifugal brakes, when they're set to off there is no friction on the drum so there is zero braking force.

[.RM.]

Do we need the magnetic brake? Do you use it? I was doing some casting in the snow today using a 1/2 oz. casting plug with the magnetic brake set at the off position with no problems at all. The spool brake was set so that when the plug hit the floor the spool would stop dead . No problems casting at all. Most of the time I would have the magnetic brake set on about 5 with 10 being the highest for this setup. Now I'm not sure that I need it at all. Mike

Oh yes you'll need it.......

Pencil Pusher, has a good explanation of the mag brakes. But I wouldn't set up any reel in the snow. The metals get cold, the oils get cold, and the grease gets cold. This is slowing the reel anyway. Wait until you get weather above the freezing mark, and you will have a different acting reel.

Just my .02¢    

[Raul]

Wait until you try to cast a Rapala Minnow, then you 'll see why you need a magnetic or centrifugal brake.

[Mike-in-WV]

Do we need the magnetic brake? Do you use it? I was doing some casting in the snow today using a 1/2 oz. casting plug with the magnetic brake set at the off position with no problems at all. The spool brake was set so that when the plug hit the floor the spool would stop dead . No problems casting at all. Most of the time I would have the magnetic brake set on about 5 with 10 being the highest for this setup. Now I'm not sure that I need it at all. Mike

Oh yes you'll need it.......

Pencil Pusher, has a good explanation of the mag brakes. But I wouldn't set up any reel in the snow. The metals get cold, the oils get cold, and the grease gets cold. This is slowing the reel anyway. Wait until you get weather above the freezing mark, and you will have a different acting reel.

Just my .02¢

Your right about the weather. I was out there a few minutes ago casting in the snow and I was only getting about 90' today compared to 150-160 the other day. Guess this reel doesn't like 18 degree weather but thats alright,....neither do I!!   Mike

[Mike-in-WV]

Wait until you try to cast a Rapala Minnow, then you 'll see why you need a magnetic or centrifugal brake.

 Raul, Your right about that! I know why we need them and what they do and what they are for but you have to remember that we never had them in the good old days and many anglers did quite well without any of the gadgets. I was NOT one of them,Lol.

My main interest here was to see how many people could get by without it and therefore get more distance. Not an easy task but with the right feathering with the thumb it can be done. Not something I would want to do in a heavy breeze or when I have one of them days when my brain keeps kicking out of gear. ;D

[Raul]

I know I 'm getting old but actually I 'm not that old to remember the good ole days when baitcasters didn 't have magnetic or centrifugal brakes, my oldest baitcasters do have magnetic brakes.

The intersting thing here is how much you have to use the braking, I know it 's all in the thumb and that I have the braking set at 0 up to 2 most of the time, but them Rapala Minners do need some more  braking "muscle" or   ....... man, they cast like crap, wind or no wind, the aerodynamic capabilities of those baits are ZERO.

[roadwarrior]

I know I 'm getting old but actually I 'm not that old to remember the good ole days when baitcasters didn 't have magnetic or centrifugal brakes, my oldest baitcasters do have magnetic brakes.

The intersting thing here is how much you have to use the braking, I know it 's all in the thumb and that I have the braking set at 0 up to 2 most of the time, but them Rapala Minners do need some more braking "muscle" or ....... man, they cast like crap, wind or no wind, the aerodynamic capabilities of those baits are ZERO.

I thought that was why they invented spinning tackle.   :

8-)

[Raul]

Not really, that 's why the Pixy was invented for.  

And you can choose which color matches your rod.  

[Mike-in-WV]

"I thought that was why they invented spinning tackle."

Spinning tackle, whats that? With my Dad it was either a flyrod or a casting reel  ;D Had a couple of Mitchells in later years and loved them but it was just not the same feeling that a casting rod and reel can give you. Just my opinion anyway.

My wife worked at Flugers when they were in Akron back in the 60's. They had one of the best reel and lure manufacturing company around back then.

Raul, Lighter line helps me when it comes to light lure. Most of the time I'm using #17 because where I do most of my fishing is loaded with logs, trees and rocks just waiting for a hooked Bass to wrap around. Bringen them in fast is the name of the game.

When using Rapals and lighter surface lures it's time for #10-#12 test and fishing on the outer edges of this stuff.