What do you like on a bait caster, Centrifugal brakes or Magnetic and why ?

[Mike-in-WV]

It seems that some people prefer one over the other for one reason or another. I seem to lean to the Magnetic because it's faster and easier for me and seems to fine tune better than the Centrifugal but I am far from and expert on the subject and that's why I'm asking.

Also would like to know why they don't just stick with one type instead of the two ? It can't be a cost thing because I have seen both systems on high dollar and low dollar reels. Maybe Reelmechanic can ad some insight to this subject, Mike

[.RM.]

It seems that some people prefer one over the other for one reason or another. I seem to lean to the Magnetic because it's faster and easier for me and seems to fine tune better than the Centrifugal but I am far from and expert on the subject and that's why I'm asking.

For me it makes no difference. Once the reel/s are set up proper, the mag or centrificale spool breaks work equally well in conjunction with my thumb style....

Also would like to know why they don't just stick with one type instead of the two ?

Now your talking design styles for each mfgr. I could not even begin to touch any reasons why, one Co. designs one way and vis versa....

[Mike-in-WV]

Thanks reelmechanic, what I was getting at about the brakes from one reel to another was even Abu Garcia has both in the Revo line. The SX has the Magnetic and the S has the Centrifugal. Just curious as to why some companies do that, Mike

[Micro]

The SX has the Magnetic and the S has the Centrifugal. Just curious as to why some companies do that, Mike

So they can accomodate everyone's preference.

BTW, my Johnny Morris Elite reel has both types of brakes - a magnetic and a centrifugal. It seems to be very effective. I can cast this reel without using my thumb to slow it down.

I learned baitcasting on the round Abu Ambassedeurs. The ones I had never had any sort of effective brake, so I learned to use my thumb to slow the spool.

[RiskKid.]

I prefer magnetic just for convenience. As reelmech said though I rarely adjust them once they are set so it's really not that big a deal one way or the other.

[Raul]

Magnetic, centrufugal, hybrid ( magnetic + centrifugal ) or digital backlash ( or anti backlash ) control is where it always has been -----> in the thumb.

[Saladmander]

Magnetic, centrufugal, hybrid ( magnetic + centrifugal ) or digital backlash ( or anti backlash ) control is where it always has been -----> in the thumb.

What he said...

[LAO162]

For those of us who have not been blessed with the opportunity or time to train our thumbs (yet), does one type of brake, either centrigual or magnetic, act as better "training wheels" until we have mastered the nuances of baitcasting with our thumbs? :)

Obviously, baitcasting requires a lot of practice and experience to become proficient.  But, if decent brakes help make the casting experience more pleasurable, more of us might graduate from spinning gear (tricycles) to baitcasters (big boy bikes).  Hence, those of us with uneducated thumbs are looking for the most enjoyable (and least painful) way to learn.

Thanks!

[Raul]

For those of us who have not been blessed with the opportunity or time to train our thumbs (yet), does one type of brake, either centrigual or magnetic, act as better "training wheels" until we have mastered the nuances of baitcasting with our thumbs? :)

Both systems work for those with "untrained thumbs", it 's a matter of degree ( how much braking you set ), instead of getting cocky or over rating your ability in trying to control THE BEAST by setting it low set in on the highest and work your way down through the braking power of the system as you train the thumb, there 's nothing wrong by doing so, you ain 't gonna win sissy status if you set your brakes at the highest setting, better one time pale than a thousand times blushed.

There you are with your brand new baitcaster which you have never fished before, full of confidence ( actually you are full of it ), you exhude testosterone, your manhood at peak level; macho man does something stoopid like not setting properly the tension, sets the brakes low because macho man thinks that he gonna "tame" the beast ( yeah high testosterone levels cause that effect ), makes a cast and zzzzzzzzz !!!! hums the reel as the lines jumps from the spool flowing through every single nook and cranny the reel has : ........

So the fine line that separates you from looking and feeling like an idiot staring at that motherlord of tangled line on the palm of your hand and a nice cast where all the loose line is in the water is a called thing respect for the beast.

The beast can never be tamed, it can only be controlled, it 's there waiting patiently for you to do something stoopid to pounce on you.

[Bassn Blvd]

I don't drive with brakes and don't fish with them either.  All in the THUMB.  Gotta have that "SPECIAL" touch though.

[.dsaavedra.]

i love the centrifugal brakes on my citicas. i can cast a crankbait 100 feet with the flick of the wrist and not even have to touch the spool with my thumb.

[LAO162]

Thanks!  In browsing though as many posts as possible, I find

the comments about centrifugal brakes (citica, curado, Revo S) are usually very positive.  However, the comments about magnetic brakes are less consistent, leading me to believe that the quality of both the reel and the fisherman are greater factors in success with magnetic brakes.

Regarding my fishing manhood, I'm not too concerned about other looking to see if I'm using a lot of brake.  If they can see my settings, they're way to close to me    On the other hand, I might feel like a sissy if I spend 45 minutes of every hour pulling out an overrun  ;D

Cheers!

[Pencil Pusher]

Watch KVD. He rarely touches the spool with his thumb and then only at the end of the cast.

[Mike-in-WV]

On my Silver Max I leave my magnetic brakes set at 8 out of a possible 22. Using a 0.45 oz. plastic casting plug I can cast a normal 43-45 yards without using my thumb except at the end of the cast.

With my new Revo S Centrifugal brakes set with two weights out I can do exactly the same thing. Nothing amazing I just found it strange that one cost me $60.00 and the other cost me $104.00 and they both work equally as well when it comes to casting   Keep in mind that Abu Garcia instructions call for the other brake (spool) setting to be so that if you just barley jerk or shake the tip of the rod the lure should drop no more than 10" each time. I have found that setting on Abu reels to work best for me. Two of my reels have #17 Cajun Red Cast and one has #14 test. Mike

[NBR]

I suspect the skill of the caster out weighs the quality of the reel. I believe reel quality come into play after years of use. I will add that after flinging a lure on a baitcaster for over 60 years I have still never met the reel I can't backlash from time to time.

[K_Mac]

For those of us who have not been blessed with the opportunity or time to train our thumbs (yet), does one type of brake, either centrigual or magnetic, act as better "training wheels" until we have mastered the nuances of baitcasting with our thumbs? :)

Both systems work for those with "untrained thumbs", it 's a matter of degree ( how much braking you set ), instead of getting cocky or over rating your ability in trying to control THE BEAST by setting it low set in on the highest and work your way down through the braking power of the system as you train the thumb, there 's nothing wrong by doing so, you ain 't gonna win sissy status if you set your brakes at the highest setting, better one time pale than a thousand times blushed.

There you are with your brand new baitcaster which you have never fished before, full of confidence ( actually you are full of it ), you exhude testosterone, your manhood at peak level; macho man does something stoopid like not setting properly the tension, sets the brakes low because macho man thinks that he gonna "tame" the beast ( yeah high testosterone levels cause that effect ), makes a cast and zzzzzzzzz !!!! hums the reel as the lines jumps from the spool flowing through every single nook and cranny the reel has : ........

So the fine line that separates you from looking and feeling like an idiot staring at that motherlord of tangled line on the palm of your hand and a nice cast where all the loose line is in the water is a called thing respect for the beast.

The beast can never be tamed, it can only be controlled, it 's there waiting patiently for you to do something stoopid to pounce on you.

Raul, You are almost poetic in your description of the new baitcaster owner. My health has improved enough over the last few months that I am now able to do a bit of fishing after a couple of years off, and I am having to spend quite a bit of time re-educating my thumb. A few hours, over several days, in the back yard practicing has made a big difference-but I'm a long way from what I was when I fished a couple of days a week. Casting a crank in open water is not that big a deal, but casting or pitching tight to cover is another story. :-[

All of my reels have magnetic brakes, and I find them very easy to adjust according to conditions. I have used shimano reels with centrifugal brakes, and find them easy to use as well. As Raul says, starting with more brakes (magnetic, or centrifugal), and cautiuosly backing off will save you a lot of grief.

I have been reminded that I get in trouble with professional overruns most often when I try to do just a little too much,e.g. trying to throw too light of lure on a windy day or really reaching back for a little extra distance.