Decisions On A Reel

[dhami013]

I recently got into using a casting reel. 3 weeks ago I picked up a Daiwa Megaforce 100STH I believe it is. After 2 weeks, I got this grinding feeling in the reel. It was going as smoothly as it first had. So I lifted it apart to oil it and it locked up. So I took it back to Gander and they replaced it, no questions asked.

It's been a week, I've been doing my research on the reel and lots of people had the same problem as me if not worse. Most people got a year or less out of their reel. I think the reel is beginning that grinding noise again.

So I started looking around for another reel around the same price. I found the BPS Pro Qualifier.

I'm wondering am I being too fidgety about my reel? I wanted to buy something relatively cheap and have it last. But the Daiwa has plastic gears, and lots of complaints for those who owned them for a long time. Where as the BPS reel has had 383 reviews and sits with a 4.8 rating.

What do I DO?

[hookingem]

Buy a reel that's going to last.... Shimano curado or citica are good starting points. Buy the best reel you can afford it will make your trips alot more enjoyable.

[ChiCityBasser]

Step up to the BPS pro qualifier if you feel the Megaforce is going to continue to give you problems.

[Grey Wolf]

Here's a thought , buy a good quality reel and if you decide you don't want to get into baitcasting then you won't have any problem selling it and recouping most of your money , just saying.

[21farms]

the problem with the megaforce is not the gears (it has brass main and pinion gears) but rather the plastic frame. as the reel is put under load, the frame flexes and the gears move in and out of alignment. the twitchin' bar only makes matters worse because of all the additional parts.

my advice: return the megaforce and get a reel with a one-piece aluminum frame. the BPS pro qualifiers and carbonlites are actually very good reels and you could never go wrong with a shimano citica or abu-garcia revo S.

[dhami013]

Well I went to Gander today, returned the Megaforce then went to Bass Pro and got the Pro Qualifier, it's normally 100 but it's on sale now for the same price I got my Megaforce. Same price, better reel. At least the reviews say so.

She reels like butter. Cannot wait to use it.

Also on baitcasters is it okay to have the drag set low or not fully tight? I feel like when I'm fighting a fish and it's pulling the drag, it's not good for the reel. Just a question. Thanks all for the input.

[hookingem]

Its fine to tighten your drag fairly tight. Now when your finished fishing back the drag off again, or during one of those cold Va nights your drag washer's will crack. Are you using braid with no mono backing?

[dhami013]

I'm using straight fluoro. I haven't tried braid. Kinda shy to it. As far as the drag goes is it cool if it's not too tight, having a little give so that it's more of a fight than just horsing it in.

[guitarkid]

Buy the Pro Qualifier.

-gk

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I'm using straight fluoro. I haven't tried braid. Kinda shy to it. As far as the drag goes is it cool if it's not too tight, having a little give so that it's more of a fight than just horsing it in.

The correct setting for a drag is 1/4-1/3 of the line weight. 15lb line = 4-5# of drag pressure. The drag is intended to protect line, rod and reel from overload. Too loose, you won't get good hooksets, too tight and you could break something. The reel should hold and retrieve line. The fish should be fought with the rod.

[SausageFingers]

The Pro Qualifier is a very good bargain. You'll be pleased with it.