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Conference wahoo::fishing

Title:Fishing Notes- Archived
Notice:See note 555.1 for a keyword directory of this conference
Moderator:DONMAC::MACINTYRE
Created:Fri Feb 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Sep 20 1991
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1660
Total number of notes:20970

1200.0. "REEL drag or not" by DECSIM::DEMBA () Thu Jul 20 1989 16:55

    Back in note 1193 I was looking for tips and 
    equipment for salt water. I did use advice
    from here to pick up a Penn 550SS reel and
    a cheap $25 Shimano glass 10' rod for surf
    casting, plus some lures, etc.
    
    However, I have gotten two conflicting opinions
    on using and old reel with the 6'6" bamboo rod
    as a boat rig. 
    
    There is nothing broken on the reel except that
    no drag adjustment is provided on the reel.
     
    Here is the first opinion on this:
    
From:	LEVERS::SWEET        "Bruce Sweet NAC CSE/SW ENG 227-3511" 20-JUL-1989 10:11:41.90
To:	DECSIM::DEMBA,SWEET       
CC:	
Subj:	RE: bamboo rod...

No drag means that when a fish pulls there is no release of line, one of
a couple of things will happen, the line will break, the fish will tear off,
the rod will break or the fish will be beaten into submission. Trust me,
you don't want to try to catch blues with no drag....

Bruce
	              

    
    Second opinion:
    
    
From:	PACKER::GIBSON       "I'M THE NRA, DTN 225-5193" 20-JUL-1989 12:50:13.44
To:	DECSIM::DEMBA
CC:	
Subj:	RE: maybe I should start a note on this, what do you think?

Hi 
I gather by the trunacated message from bruce that you discussed your 
Ocean city reel with him. As I mentioned to you, The "Drag" is supplied 
manually by thumbing the spool as it revolves. Old reels had no built 
in drag. It was expected that the fisherman was to feather the spool. 
It is still a useful technique and I use the thumb on spool to add a 
little extra when needed instead of increasingthe drag setting on my reels.

Many large fish had been taken on manual drag "Knuckle Buster" reels like 
yours.I do recommend that you spool up with linen line as I mentioned, 
this will keep you traditional and keep skin on your thumb. I would 
start a note on the subject. Go ahead and append this reply if you like.

                                       Walt
    
    
    
    Any other opinions out there on this? Since I don't have any 
    experience on catching salt water fishes, or the use of this
    old reel I am somewhat hesistant. But, after just picking up
    the other equipment it would be dangerous for me to buy anything
    else right now.
    
    
    Steve 
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1200.1DNEAST::OKERHOLM_PAUFri Jul 21 1989 09:2513
    Steve,
    	Your two examples are not conflicting opinions. Bruce was assuming 
    no release (infinite drag) and Walt was assuming no drag. Their answers 
    were consistant, given these assumptions. 
    	Which is the case with your reel? If its a case of no drag I would 
    guess that you could get by as Walt suggested. My feeling is that after 
    one trip you would find a way to buy a new reel. A new low end Penn can 
    be had for relatively short money.  
    	If you have no release I'd suggest you not try it at all.
    
    Regards,
    Paul
                                       
1200.2its your choiceCUERVO::GATHFri Jul 21 1989 09:5312
    If your intentions is to catch fish and have a really good time
    catching as many fish and the biggest fish you can.
    
    	BUY A NEW REEL
    
    If you are a traditionalist and want to use some of the old equipment
    as our fathers and grandfathers did and the amount of fish or size
    of fish doesn't really matter just quality of friendship and being
    in the surf/ocean then keep it understanding that you are some what
    disadvantaged.
    
    bear
1200.3more detailsDECSIM::DEMBAFri Jul 21 1989 09:5737
    It does have a lever that disengages the gears for the crank.
    This allows it to free spool. This lever when disengaged, stands
    at a 90 degree angle to the side plate on the side where the
    crank is. This lever can be flipped back down and thereby putting
    the spool in gear by hand or by merely turning the
    crank and letting the crank flip the lever over.
    
    My impression of using this reel would be:
    
    	1) Cast with the spool disengaged
    
    	2) once a fish began to play out the line, I would
    	   thumb the spool to increase drag and slow down
    	   the line leaving the spool
    
    	3) then I would use the crank to flip the lever and
    	   engage the spool. Now the crank is direct drive
    	   in with the spool, so don't let go or I suppose 
    	   it becomes a knuckle buster like Walt mentioned.
    
    Bruce has me wondering if something of any size was to 
    latch on, whether I really could slow down the spooling.
    
    There is a knurled knob on the side of the reel, that I 
    believe is probably to take up the side to side play
    in the spool. If I really cinch down on this knob I can
    place 'drag' on the spool. I just don't think this would
    be healthy for the reel.
    
    Like you say I can pick up a new reel for relatively short
    money, and eventually I probably will pick up another.
    But I can't justify it now. Plus I think it would be
    interesting to use this old reel and rod that has been 
    kicking around in my family for years.  
    
    
    	Steve
1200.4DECWET::HELSELLegitimate sporting purposeFri Jul 21 1989 13:306
    I can't help but picture the Hemingway story of the guy fighting
    the mighty Marlin, blood gushing from his thumb all over the
    spool as the strong fish took mile after mile of line across the
    atlantic.
    
    Sounds like fun to me.
1200.5DECSIM::DEMBAFri Jul 21 1989 14:166
    He was using the blood to keep the bearings cool.
    
    But, I am starting to consider picking up a cheap
    reel now. 
    
    Steve
1200.6Antique?DNEAST::OKERHOLM_PAUFri Jul 21 1989 15:457
    Hi - Its me again
    	If the rig is in good shape, its probably worth some bucks or
    sentimental value as an antique. Do you really want to chance breaking
    it? I'd be inclined to clean it up and keep it for a conversation
    piece.
    
    Paul
1200.7DECSIM::DEMBAFri Jul 21 1989 17:503
    One last trip to spag's before I leave for Cape May
    tomorrow. It is a nice looking piece of hardware, I'd
    hate to wreck it.