Talica 12 II - drag range issue

[Smols]

Had a chance to try for big blue fin tuna with poppers yesterday. Since I do not have any set-ups that work well for casting a long distance and being able to handle a BFT up to 200+lbs (which is what we have right now in our southern California waters) - I borrowed a Talica 12II on a Calstar 800M loaded with 80lb braid to a 100b fluoro topshot. This was a pretty good setup for this type of fishing as I could cast the popper a good distance into the foaming fish. Not sure it would have been ideal for pulling in a 230b tuna, but you have to get bit first and every setup for this type of fishing is a compromise in one way or another. The fish would foam on the surface for short periods of time - so it was run and gun in front of the school, shut down, drift and hopefully be in a position to cast into the foamer. We only had two shots all day to cast into the fish because they were very skittish and would sink out after a short time.

Anyway, I want to service the reel for my friend because he is not sure when it was last done - and the drag goes to almost sundown immediately after the strike position.

Does anyone know what I can look at in this Talica 12II reel to try to get a smoother transition into full drag after the strike position?

Thanks!

[redsetta]

Hi Smols,
The Talica has an interchangeable drag cam, which changes the way the drag 'ramps up'.
They come with what's called a 'Long Range Special' cam, which ramps up fast and hard.
I've heard of a 'Mono cam' that has a more gradual curve, but can't seem to find where to get 'em.
This was the range available for the Torsa (which the Talica effectively replaced):

• http://www.tackledirect.com/torsa-rapid-fire-cams.html

Perhaps try your local Shimano agent?
Let us know how you get on - it'd be good to know what's available.
Cheers, Justin

[Smols]

Justin,

Thanks for this information, I appreciate it. You have helped me in the past with another question I had - just can't remember what it was now. Anyway, I plan to contact Shimano and ask about the cam. I should have known about the cam as I went through something similar with an Avet reel a few years ago.

Thanks again,
Paul