Lunker_Hunter Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 Greetings all. Just purchased my first bait caster today and already have a few questions! I picked up an Abu Garcia Black Max reel and Berkley Lightning rod. When you go to put line on the spool on the reel, there is a silver bar the sits about a quarter of an inch behind the guide that the line goes through. I am assuming you feed your line through the guide at the front of the reel and then go over that bar before attaching your line to the reel, but I wanted to ask to ensure I do this correctly. Also, the reel features a cam lock in the form of an on off button towards the rear of the reel on the right side. I see that when you engage the switch the thumb button does not stay depressed when pressed to cast. I am just curious as to when/why you would use this? Last, there is a small knob toward the front of the reel about a 1/4 the size of the mechanical brake and I was just curious as to what that is? I was guessing it is just in place to keep the side plates on the reel but then I see some recessed screws that accomplish that, so I am kind of confused as to what this smaller knob is for? Thanks for your help in advance! Quote
MattinOK Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 There's the answer to your first question. Not sure what you mean by the second one. And here's a good guide on using your new reel http://www.***/education/baitcaster-setup-101.html Quote
Lunker_Hunter Posted September 4, 2009 Author Posted September 4, 2009 Matt thanks for your reply and the helpful links. The YouTube video didn't quite answer my question as I still don't know if I need to run my line over that bar that is behind the guide that moves back and forth while the spool is taking up line. I am probably not describing this well and a picture is worth a 1,000 words so take a peek at the attached image. In that picture you can easily see the silver bar that I am referring to in addition to the little black knob, whose purpose I haven't quite figured out. Quote
Super User KYntucky Warmouth Posted September 4, 2009 Super User Posted September 4, 2009 No, the line does not go over the bar. That is there to hold the palm side plate on Quote
Lunker_Hunter Posted September 4, 2009 Author Posted September 4, 2009 Thank you sir! So I take it that smaller black knob is there for that purpose? To hold that rod and the corresponding palm plate on the reel? Can anyone fill me in on the cam lock switch that this reel employs? I still don't really understand it's utilization. Quote
Sharkbite Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 Thank you sir! So I take it that smaller black knob is there for that purpose? To hold that rod and the corresponding palm plate on the reel?Can anyone fill me in on the cam lock switch that this reel employs? I still don't really understand it's utilization. Have you taken a look at the schematics? I would say your rite about that knob there. I don't know for shore but I would look at the schematics that came with your reel. Quote
Red Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 I have this reel. The small thumb screw on the side is so you can remove the side plate to access the spool. You can losen this screw and it will not fall out. Turn the side plate downwards to remove. The way I do it to make it easier is to remove the side plate and remove the spool, run your line through the line guide and out the side of the reel where you pulled the spool from. Tie your line to the spool, replace spool and side plate and crank it on. I don't know what you mean by cam lock, if your referring to the dial on the same side plate you removed in the above explanation, that dial is to adjust your brakes. This is a good little reel I think. I have it and two Revo S-L's and it keeps up with them just fine. I see no difference in casting distance. The only difference I notice is just the difference in feel from a $50 reel and a $100 reel. Good luck Cliff Quote
Super User skunked_again Posted September 4, 2009 Super User Posted September 4, 2009 Thank you sir! So I take it that smaller black knob is there for that purpose? To hold that rod and the corresponding palm plate on the reel?Can anyone fill me in on the cam lock switch that this reel employs? I still don't really understand it's utilization. i think youre talking about a flipping switch? Quote
Super User .RM. Posted September 4, 2009 Super User Posted September 4, 2009 Also, the reel features a cam lock in the form of an on off button towards the rear of the reel on the right side. I see that when you engage the switch the thumb button does not stay depressed when pressed to cast. I am just curious as to when/why you would use this? Right there you are describing a flipping switch to me.....I would contact Garcia and get a copy of the owner manual, or try the website http://www.abugarcia.com/ Good Luck & Tight Lines!!! Quote
Lunker_Hunter Posted September 4, 2009 Author Posted September 4, 2009 Thanks for all the helpful info. all. I am going to go out today and have my first attempt with this new setup and we'll see how it goes. Hope to take some nice bass on the lower James River down here in Richmond, VA. Happy Friday! Quote
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